Hometown Cherokee

Fishing is an activity that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) encourage all adults to bring their children to a Kids’ Fishing Event (KFE) to introduce them to this fun pastime. WRD, along with the Cumming Kiwanis Club, the Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club, the Sawnee Optimist Club, the Tailwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Rainbow Ranch, Outside World, Orvis Atlanta, Lake Lanier Guide Association, Wal-Mart and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will host a KFE on the Chattahoochee River at the Buford Dam Lower Pool Park.

This event will take place on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. As an added attraction, the WRD Buford Trout Hatchery will stock 3,000 hungry rainbow trout in the river during this event. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided to participants.

CummingHome is proud to participate by sponsoring "Bass fishing Made Easy" A free seminar with regionally syndicated fishing expert Ken Sturdivant. Dont miss it!

The National Wild Turkey Federation is graciously helping to fund this wonderful family event and will be giving away Jakes memberships to children who attend. Additionally, a local raptor rehabilator will be showing her birds of prey, and the Outdoor Interpretive Program of Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation will be showing some of their reptiles.

This event is for children 15 and under, and participants are asked to bring their own fishing poles, if they have them, as only a limited number of loaner poles will be available. Sponsors will provide the bait, but participants can bring their own if desired.

Parents must accompany children throughout the event and WRD recommends that everyone, especially young children, bring and wear life jackets. There will be fishing demonstrations and volunteers available to assist participants with tasks such as baiting hooks and unhooking fish.

This event is part of a statewide celebration in honor of the 34th National Hunting and Fishing (NHF) Day. On this day, WRD wants to remind everyone that conserving the state’s wildlife resources is one of the most important responsibilities for this and future generations. Conservation programs supported and financed by Georgia hunters and anglers have benefited hundreds of wildlife species, including deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles and songbirds. For information about other NHF Day events, visit the WRD website at www.georgiawildlife.com.

This KFE will take place at Lower Pool Park (located off Buford Dam Road) below Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. For more information, contact Liz Avret at the WRD Fisheries Management Office in Gainesville at (770) 535-5498. For more information on fishing opportunities in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .

Take Me Fishing!™ A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.

Directions to Lower Pool Park

FROM HWY 400

· Take 400 North to exit 14

· Turn left on Hwy 20 east

· Turn left at first traffic light onto Market Place Blvd.

· Continue past Home Depot and Lowe’s until road ends

· Turn right on Buford Dam Rd.

· Take approx. 5 miles and turn right into Lower Pool Park where the road turns sharp to the left before traveling over the Buford Dam

FROM I-85 or 985

· Take 85 to 985 North

· Take exit 4 and turn left onto hwy 20 west toward Cumming

· Continue on hwy 20 approx. 7 miles through several traffic lights

· Turn right on Suwanee Dam Rd.

· Take until road ends and turn left on Buford Dam Rd.

· Travel across the Dam and turn left into Lower Pool Park where the road turns sharp to the right