Toccoa Tailwater: Rising Temps and Trout Mortality
Temperatures on the Toccoa Tailwater are starting to rise, and turnover is very close. Temps near Curtis Switch are reaching 68 degrees by midday. There is a high mortality rate in trout when catching them in water over 66 degrees. Let’s give the river a rest for a few weeks until temperatures drop back into the mid-60s to protect the trout population.
Upper Toccoa: Delayed Harvest Season Starting November 1st
Delayed Harvest season begins on the Upper Toccoa on November 1st. Cooler temperatures ahead should improve fishing conditions as the season approaches.
Small Streams: Cooler Water, Better Trout Action
With cooler nightly temperatures, water temps have dropped in some creeks, which will have the trout feeding well. The water is low, so stealth is key, but a well-presented dry fly should get eaten. Yellow PMX or Bugmeister’s in sizes 12 or 14 are some of my favorite flies for creeks this time of year. With the cooler mornings, there have been a few BWO’s coming off as well, so bring some Parachute Adams and Purple Hazes with you. As temps cool, fishing will only get better. We have a bit of this hot weather left, but Fall seems like it’s on its way.
Warmwater: Topwater Bass Bite is On Fire
Topwater action for river bass has been on fire! With low, clear water, bass are looking up for anything falling into the water. If you’re an experienced trout fisherman, you can fish bass bugs very similarly to trout. Drifting poppers or big foam flies in seams and eddies near structure with an occasional pop or twitch can pull a lot of bass to the surface in warmer rivers. Midday bass might not be as willing to come up, so throwing a dropper like a wooly bugger or rubber legs can pick up more fish. We’re still finding bass on streamers early in the morning, but the popper bite has been hard to beat. Give us a call at the shop if you’d like to dial this in because this is prime time!
