"Flowing red and gritty for much of the early 1900s because of farming and erosion, the Soque had an early start on conservation with the introduction of a rescue-growing program that led to pasture development and gin-clear water.

With property values low, a group of Buckhead sportsmen bought a large tract of the river in the 1970s, stocked it and tightly regulated how often the water was fished, which allowed generation of trout to thrive. Their rigid catch-and-release policy still holds among the fish lodges.

The Soque 'didn't get a lot of pressure,' said Jeff Tart, who grew up in nearby Cornelia and is the guide at the Brigadoon Lodge. 'It was seasonal, so it didn't get fished during certain times. The owners managed it well. Even growing up here, it was tough for me to get on.

A parcel where the Soque takes a U-turn caught the interest of a Wall Streeter looking for early retirement. Rebekah Stewart had no interest in fishing and regarded the trout as 'my pets,' but after building her home there in 1993, she fell subject to local lobbying.

'It had been suggested that I open it up to fishermen, Stewart said. 'I just resisted the idea initially, not realizing that fly fishermen were as environmentally concerned with the fish as I was.

When Stewart finally acquiesced, the result was Brigadoon, a three building complex and the jewel of the area. The rates are reasonable -$300 per rod per day. The setting and amenities put the Soque on the map. The facility can sleep up to 15 people and has become a national draw for corporate outings.

For more information you can visit our web site at http://brigadoonlodge.com.

To make a reservation or request additional information, call us at:
(706) 754-2229 or send an email to Brigadoonlodge.com.