Bassmaster AOY putting Hiawassee on the map

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) competition is luring fishing enthusiasts from miles around, shining a spotlight on Hiawassee and Lake Chatuge. The tournament began on Thursday morning, with boats launching onto the water shortly after 7 a.m. and continued at dawn on Friday until the mid-afternoon official weigh-ins. ESPN is broadcasting the competition, and in an unrelated event, online commercials are scheduled to be recorded on Lake Chatuge after the tournament concludes.

Jim and Carol Falkson, from Oxford, Mississippi, traveled to Hiawassee as avid spectators of the AOY series. “Lake Chatuge is breathtaking,” Carol Falkson gushed, “The surrounding mountains, the small-town vibe of Hiawassee. It’s somewhere we’d certainly love to return in the future. The people have been gracious and hospitable. It’s a gem of a town.”