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If fishing is like religion, then fly fishing is high church. — Tom Brokaw.

A competitive gathering of serious fly fishermen is expected to draw fans of the sport to a well known fishing area in North Georgia one day this weekend.

The first annual Gold Rush Cup Fly Fishing Challenge, scheduled on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Frog Hollow on the Chestatee River in Lumpkin County, Ga., will feature at least five two-person teams.

FLY FISHING Challenge is this Saturday at Frog Hollow on the Chestatee River in Lumpkin County. (Photo by Kenny Simmons)

Registered thus far for the competition are teams from Unicoi Outfitters, Alpharetta Outfitters, Etowah Anglers, Cannon Falls, and Frog Hollow, and there is the possibility of additional entries.

The Gold Rush chapter of Trout Unlimited, based in Dahlonega, is sponsoring the event on the Chestatee River, which is one of the most popular trophy trout streams in the United States. Directions to the venue, Frog Hollow, and more about the event can be found online at www.goldrushtu.org or www.froghollowflyfishing.com.

Attendance is open to the public, and admission will be free, but donations will be accepted. Fly casting and tying demonstrations will be provided by Gold Rush Chapter members, attendees will be able to visit several exhibit tables, and food and drink will be available for purchase.

The fly fishing challenge will permit two-person teams of contestants to match their skills against other teams to earn a $1,000 grand prize, plus two quality, custom-made fly rods. Individual awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Participants in the challenge must be members of the national organization of Trout Unlimited; and membership in the organization is open to the general public (see www.tu.org). All proceeds from this event will go to Trout Unlimited, a 501 (C)(3), non-profit organization.

A kick-off dinner will be hosted at the site of the tournament in Frog Hollow this Friday night. It will begin at 5 p.m.; and the cost is $10.00 per person. A participant captain’s meeting will also be held at Frog Hollow on the evening prior to the tournament.

The mission of Trout Unlimited’s Gold Rush Chapter, is to conserve, protect, and restore the coldwater fisheries and their watersheds in the North Georgia area, while assisting the T.U. national organization to do the same at the national level.