Picture a gently rushing trout stream, dappled with sunshine, illuminating a trout waiting for its next meal to float down the current. Among your New Year’s resolutions – have you planned to someday get into flyfishing? (And if you’re a woman reading this – don’t stop! There are a number of organizations dedicated to women fly fishing, including Georgia Women Flyfishers.)

Here are some upcoming dates and events to put you into the stream with the rainbow trout :

1. The season opens March 31 for seasonal streams. Georgia also has year-round streams, which have special regulations such as catch and release or delayed harvest (you can keep what you catch certain times of the year.) These are often trophy streams.  All that information is on the DNR website.
2. Blue Ridge Fly Fishing Guides offers guiding packages along the Tocooa River. Sharper Bites in Blue Ridge serves as both a guide and gourmet caterer if you like. Unicoi Outfitters does guiding and also has various programs as well. They are located in Helen, Georgia, but plan trips to a number of locations.
3. Georgia Women Fly Fishers is holding a beginners class at Black Hawk Trophy Fly Fishing March 10 in Clarkesville (along the Soque River.)
4. Smithgall Woods State Park has cottages along Dukes Creek, a trophy trout stream. That part of the stream is not open to the public, but a one-night’s stay gets you two days on the stream. (They can refer you to guides or lessons.) Casting for Recovery-Georgia, part of a national organization that provides counseling, information and yes, fly-fishing for breast cancer survivors will hold its first retreat at Smithgall in April.
5. The Fly-Fishing Federation, Southeastern Council is holding its 22nd Flyfishing Festival April 27-29 at Unicoi State Park. This is your chance to browse flies and equipment, attend a few classes and watch demonstrations.

You can put yourself in that picture of the peaceful mountain stream. Just get started.