Nathan Miller, of Bowersville caught the Shuler’s Great Outdoors $1000.00 fish in the 19th Annual Trout tournament held by the Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce.

A record 267 fishermen and women tried to catch the elusive tagged rainbow trout in the Chattahoochee River.

The total amount of trophy size fish was over 200 pounds with 23 fish tagged for the cash prizes.

Of the $2300.00 tagged prize fish, only $1400.00 of the fish were caught. The Milton Davis $500.00 fish was not caught this year.

Of the three $100.00 fish only one was caught and it was caught by Josh Vandiver of Gainesville; four $50.00 fish were caught by Sandy Morgan, St Mary’s GA, Chris Knapp, Toccoa; Paul McGrath, Flowery Branch, and George Hill, Danielsville.

The prize money was rounded out by Robert Wright, Bowman; Dion Roach, Dewey Rose; Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Hoschton; and Tony Campbell, Lula caught the $25.00 tagged fish.

This was the first year for the Helen Chamber expanding the tournament into a two-day event with vendors and a raffle.

Jerry Shuler of Shuler’s Great Outdoors, Gainesville sponsored the $1000.00 fish for the first time.

There were six vendors exhibiting their wares, Shuler’s Great Outdoors, Georgia Power and their fishing lakes, Georgia Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Sharon and David Hartis with their hand made rods and flies, Center Baptist Church with their tournament in May rounded out the vendors.

Each registered fisherman received a free t-shirt; sponsored by Helendorf Motel, Mountain Sports, Roper’s Clothing, Georgia Power, Ramada Inn, Altstader Restaurant, Jordano’s Pizza, Gourmet Shoppe, Paul’s Steakhouse and Betty’s Country Store.