Question:
Is there anyone out there,besides those who have responded, that
regularly fishes some of the creeks and rivers of north Georgia?
I am interested in speaking with you about conditions and some
of your recent trips. Don't be bashful, I live all the way
down in Florida and could only make a few trips a semester so
I won't be a nuisance. Besides I think I may be one of the
only Floridians interested in catching 8" trout instead of bass
or whatever. I would greatly appreciate any help and info from
you and will reciprocate if you want information about fresh or
saltwater fly fishing in Florida. If youre nice, I will even
take you fishing if you're in my neck of the woods. No...I can't
divulge where just yet, you first. Seriously though, any replies
will be much appreciated.
Answer:
There are several pretty good streams located about 1-2 hr drive
North of Atlanta in the southernmost reaches of the Appalachian mountains.
To get to the general area from downtown Atlanta, take Georgia Route
400/19 North to Dahlonega. From Dahlonega, you can head northwest on Rts.
19 and 60 to Waters Creek/Dicks Creek/Coopers Creek; or, northeast via
Rts. 19, 11, Alt. 75 toward Helen to fish the headwaters of the
Chattahoochee. There are several campgrounds in these areas and lots of
motels and eateries in Helen, which is a real tourist trap.
The best section of the upper 'Hooch is located north of Helen and
Robertstown (where the Flea Market is) along the road (Poplar Stump Rd)
that parallels the river into the Wildlife Management Area. This part of
the river is pretty well stocked with 'bows, with some brookies and
browns as well. Lots of pressure from corn dunkers though. Other streams as
good, maybe better, are Dicks Creek and Waters Creek which are very close
to one another. Waters is managed as a "trophy" trout stream where only 1
fish over 18" can be killed. The fish are fed by the DNR to reach that
size and are very difficult to catch. The fees on Waters Creek for
non-Georgia residents can be pretty steep though (approximately $30 in
addition to normal fishing license and trout stamp). Another good stream
is Coopers Creek which also has a few campgrounds along it. Most of the
good fishing on North Georgia streams is to be found near areas that
receive a lot of stocking, otherwise you will encounter VERY small brush
covered creeks with small (6-8") fish. This is because our southern
Appalachian streams, although very pretty, are relatively acidic and
sterile. Your best bet for mountain streams is to pull in where the
locals park, or at campgrounds. Then walk as far upstream as you can to
get away from the pressure and get some solitude. Fishing on weekdays
instead of weekends helps also. If you have good topographic maps, you
can often locate a spot where the road comes close to the stream, away
from the public parking lots and campgrounds. You can then bushwack down
to the stream (sometimes through some pretty steep and rough terrain).
This is definitely "combat fishing", but it WILL get you to areas that
receive little or no pressure. Recommended flies (size #14 is universal,
occasionally #16 is better) include: Dries - Adams, Royal Wulff (std. and
parachute ties), Elk hair caddis and Royal trude. Nymphs - Gold-ribbed
hare's ear and pheasant tail. In summer, ants and beetles are good.
Perhaps the best trout fishing in the state (although not nearly
as scenic or pretty as the mountain streams) is the Chattahoochee
tailwater south of Buford Dam. This is my "home" water and holds browns
and rainbows up to 20" with the average fish in the 9-12" range. You can
catch good fish all along its 40 mile length with excellent dry fly
fishing in spring and fall virtually within sight of the skyline of
Atlanta. The shoal area just north of I-285 (Akers Drive-Cochran Shoals)
is a convenient area to try. It's probably less than 30 min drive from
downtown Atlanta. Two drawbacks to this section of the river: 1) if it
has rained hard within the last week, the water will be chocolate brown
from Georgia red clay runoff; 2) from Memorial Day to Labor Day we have a
"rubber hatch" consisting of dozens of rafters competing with you for the
choice runs. You can avoid the rubber hatch and have your best chances
for success by fishing very early in the AM. For this section of the
river add light cahill dry's to your fly list. Further North, you can also
try the shoals at Island Ford, Jones Bridge, and just below Buford Dam.
A word of warning though, STAY OFF THE RIVER DURING GENERATION FROM BUFORD
DAM!!! To get the day's generation schedule, call 404-945-1466 for a
recording. Usually, but not always, the Corps of Engineers does not
generate on the weekends. The slug of water from Buford Dam travels
downstream at about 4 miles/hr so you can estimate when it will arrive at
points downstream. A U.S. Park Service map of the Chattachoochee River
(including river milage, road access, boat ramp locations, etc) is
available free of charge from the fly fishing shops noted below.
For more information, contact (or better, visit) "The Fish Hawk" fly
shop at 283 Buckhead Ave, just off of Peachtree Rd. (tel. 404-237-3473).
Another good shop is Atlanta Fly Fishing Outfitters in Dunwoody
(404-698-0707). Both have maps, books, etc. for all of Georgia and can
also recommend a guide if you wish.
