We’re going to sound like a broken record for the foreseeable future – water temperatures everywhere are pretty warm midday and we’re just waiting for a change in the weather. Fall is around the corner! If you’re about to prep for fall fishing, come by the shop, bring a vise, and tie some flies or have a beer at the Last Cast Bar in the Cartersville shop and pick our brains for a little while.
The Etowah River is fishing well for bass early in the morning and late in the evening. Mid-day is HOT, so we’ve been taking mid-day siestas rather than being on the water on our off days. If you’re planning on being out on the water right now, don’t forget the sun protection and extra hydration.
Flies that have been producing well for us include Boogle Bugs, frog patterns like the Swim Frog, and skating gurglers in natural colors. If the topwater bite isn’t producing, switch to Etowah staples like Clouser Minnows, Sparkle Minnows, and Lunch Money’s. The Striper fishing is nearing an end in the river. If you plan on targeting Striped Bass, fight these fish quickly and get them back in the water as soon as possible to avoid fish kills.
The Toccoa Tailwater is fishing well between generation and rain. We’ve had pop-up showers throughout the week in Blue Ridge, so everything is off color but water levels are staying at normal levels. The tailwater received substantial stockings of smaller fish the past couple weeks so the majority of reports we’ve been hearing have been littered with small catches and the occasional exceptional fish. BWO’s and caddis have been consistent but not in huge numbers. I would mostly fish slightly larger nymphs and streamers to try and weed out the smaller fish – standard tailwater fare, Lunch Money’s. Wooly Buggers, and JJ Special colored Sparkle Minnows should all produce.
The Upper Toccoa is still too warm for trout. Try the tailwater or small streams.
Small Streams are a cold water refuge this time of year due to canopy and elevation. These streams are running at normal levels but have a touch of color to them. I like to bring along a 3 weight and light tippet and throw dry flies all day, but if the bite gets tough don’t be afraid to fish droppers below the dries. These mountain trout care more about presentation than pattern in most circumstances, so walk softly and fish methodically. Small chubby cherynobyls, Parachute Adams, Yellow Stimulators, and X-Caddis all will bring fish to the surface. For droppers, unweighted or lightly weighted pheasant tail and hare’s ear variations will do the trick, but don’t be afraid to bring along some big stoneflies to dredge deep runs.
The Chattahoochee River is fishing great right now, and should continue through the fall. Don’t forget that we guide on this beautiful and scenic National River year round.
Check the generation schedule before you plan your trip! We do not recommend that you float the Etowah if Allatoona dam is releasing water. We do not recommend wading the Toccoa if the TVA is releasing water. Check the release schedules and be safe!
Toccoa River Delayed Harvest flows
Allatoona Dam Release Schedule- (706) 334-7213
Cartersville Shop: (770) 606-1100
Blue Ridge Shop: (706) 946-3044
