Toccoa River Tailwater Fishing Conditions
Late September is usually the one month we avoid fishing the Toccoa Tailwater. The lake is beginning to turn over, which leads to warmer, stained water coming from the dam. For now, water temps are holding in the low 60s and peaking at around 65 degrees midday at the dam. You’ll also notice that instead of gin-clear water, there is a slight stain to the water.
For now, the stretch from the dam to Curtis is cool enough to fish in the mornings. Horseshoe has been around 65 degrees in the mornings and is definitely climbing into the 70s by midday. Try to avoid fishing around Horseshoe, or get off the water after the first couple hours of daylight.
As we get further into turnover, water temps will warm and the water will develop more of a rust-colored stain. Turnover is usually caused by water temps cooling on the Upper Toccoa and other creeks that flow into the lake. This means that as water temps climb near the dam, tributaries may actually cool the river off as you get farther downstream.
This time of year, keep your thermometer handy, keep ’em wet, and quit fishing when temps get over 68 degrees if you’re practicing catch and release. We’re coming into the one time of year when it might be best to fish elsewhere.
Upper Toccoa River Trout Fishing Update
Delayed Harvest season starts November 1. Until then, fish the accesses farther upstream on the Upper Toccoa for cooler water and better fishing conditions.
Small Stream Trout Fishing in North Georgia
With a break from the afternoon storms, flows in the small streams are getting low. This is good news for dry fly and terrestrial fishing, but make sure to fish lighter tippet and try to cast from farther away so you don’t spook as many fish.
Fall is right around the corner. As nighttime temperatures drop and water temps begin to fall, fishing should get better and better. For now, keep an eye on water temperatures. A lot of the lower-elevation streams are still too warm.
Dry fly fishing has been great, though. Yellow PMXs, AJ’s Beetles, Stimulators, and a variety of hoppers are getting action. Smaller nymphs, like a Frenchie rigged below these flies, have been killer too.
These small streams will be some of the first bodies of water to cool off as nighttime temperatures continue to fall. As far as trout fishing goes, these will be some of your best places to target as we get farther into September.
Warmwater Fly Fishing for Bass & Stripers
The lack of afternoon storms has helped the water clear in a lot of our bass rivers. Our popper bite has finally turned on now that flows have lowered.
September is one of our favorite months for popper fishing. As the nights get a bit cooler, a lot of the bugs get slower-moving and more clumsy. That means big bugs like cicadas, dobsonflies, dragonflies, and hoppers are falling into the water. Bass laid up along shady banks will take advantage of these easy meals.
There are still some stripers left in the rivers as well. Target the shoals, springs, and creek mouths where there’s either cooler water or lots of oxygen.
With the popper bite on fire and the possibility of hooking into some stripers, this is one of our favorite ways to fish until fall really settles in.
Best Flies for Blue Ridge & North Georgia Fishing
- Frenchie (sz. 14–16)
- Duracell (sz. 14–16)
- Flashback Pheasant Tail (sz. 14–16)
- Jigged Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (sz. 14–16)
- Rainbow Warrior (sz. 14–16)
- Parachute Sulphur (sz. 14–16)
- Parachute Adams (sz. 16–18)
- Fluttering Foam Caddis Tan (sz. 14–16)
- Elk Hair Caddis (sz. 16–18)
- Boogle Bug
- Stealth Bomber
- Mr. Wiggly
- Sluggo
- Spot On Baitfish
- Clouser Minnow
Book a Fly Fishing Charter in Blue Ridge, GA
Want to get out on the water without having to figure out where the fish are holding? Our fly fishing charters in Blue Ridge, GA give anglers the chance to experience some of the best trout, bass, and striper fishing North Georgia has to offer.
Whether you’re new to fly fishing or have some experience and you’re looking to explore new water, our local guides can help put you in the right place at the right time.
Book your Blue Ridge fly fishing charter today and come fish North Georgia with us!
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