Fishing Report: September 4th, 2020

It’s Labor Day weekend, so be prepared to see lots of other people on the water this long weekend. We’re starting to get some fall shipments in the shop, so come by and check out the new stuff if you’re in town fishing! We’re also taking orders on a couple new rods from some of our favorite companies – the new Scott Centric, which is replacing the Radian, and the new Thomas and Thomas Contact II Euro Rod. Call us at the shop for details.

The Etowah River is fishing well when weather and generation permits. Popper fishing on the river is on fire right now! Rig up your favorite 5-7 weight with a floating, tropical core fly line (Rio’s Bonefish, Scientific Angler’s Grand Slam) and a 0x Rio Powerflex Leader and bring a cup full of boogle bugs. We’re also throwing gurglers, frog flies, and mice patterns at these fish. If the topwater bite isn’t happening for you, take some baitfish patterns in the 1.5-3 inch size range and another rod rigged with intermediate tip, tropical fly line. We like Clouser Minnows, Lunch $’s, etc. Spotted Bass fishing should only get better as the temperature cools off and we move into fall, so if you would like to take advantage of the best thing we’ve got going, call us at the shop to book a float!

The Toccoa River has been fishing well with decent numbers coming from our guides on float trips. Getting out early is key right now. In the morning, fish are willing to come up for size 16 and 18 Parachute Adams, but Smaller hoppers and chubby chernobyls have also been producing fish. From the dam to the first tributary creek, water is crystal clear so light 5x and 6x tippet on a longer leader and a 4 or 5 weight rod will work well for fishing dries and light dry-droppers. You can up-size your line and leader downstream of some of the tributary streams, as they add a little bit of stain to the water – 4x or 5x. Once the sun is over the water, switch to nymph rigs  on top, dropping a smaller midge or Blue Winged patterns have been doing well. By 11 AM, the fishing really starts to slow down.

Small Streams are fishing great in high elevation areas where the water stays cooler. These streams are low and clear, so 5x and 6x tippet is a must. Dries and smaller terrestrials like beetles, ants, and smaller hoppers are producing good numbers of fish from pocket water and faster runs. A shorter 3 or 4 weight rod works best in these tighter settings. The thick canopy around these streams keep the air and the water cooler throughout the day, making fishing a blast all day long.