Blue Ridge GA Fishing Report – December 2

Current Conditions for the Toccoa Tailwater, Upper Toccoa, and North Georgia Small Streams

Toccoa Tailwater Fishing Report – Low Flows, Clear Water, and Excellent Winter Trout Fishing

Maintenance on Blue Ridge Dam has wrapped up, and flows are finally getting back to normal on the Toccoa Tailwater. Generation has been minimal lately, but with the recent rain, that may change at any time. Even with the rain, creek inflows remain very low, so expect longer, bumpier floats until flows rise.

The fishing, however, has been phenomenal — especially on overcast or rainy days.
BWO’s, Caddis, and plenty of Midges have been coming off, and fish have been eating well under dry-droppers. Productive nymphs include:

• Small Pheasant Tails
• Hare’s Ears
• Pat’s Rubber Legs
• Eggs

October Caddis are still hanging around, so a small orange Chubby or a Foam-Run Caddis can pick up fish while carrying enough weight for two nymphs below it.

Dry fly fishing has been solid as well. The double dry rig (Orange Elk Hair + Parachute Adams) is a favorite recently. Most trout have been holding in shallower runs and riffles instead of deep holes due to the low flows. With clear water, fish 5X or 6X and make longer casts. You’ll spot many fish simply by standing in the boat.

Keep an eye out for cleared gravel patches, as fish are still trying to spawn. Avoid fishing over these areas and focus on pocket water instead. As more rain arrives, expect flows to bump up, floats to get smoother, and fishing to get even better.

Upper Toccoa River Fishing Report – Great Flows for Wading and Floating

Flows on the Upper Toccoa have steadily improved, currently sitting around 300 cfs, with most of the past week above 200 cfs. This remains very manageable for wading and makes floating easier. Once the river climbs closer to 500 cfs, wading becomes much more dangerous.

Fishing on the Upper has been excellent and should continue to improve as Georgia DNR stocks more fish throughout December.

Effective setups include:

• Dry-dropper rigs
• Bobber rigs with Pat’s Rubber Legs
• Eggs
• Flashy nymphs like the Rainbow Warrior

A go-to combo is a Pat’s Rubber Legs paired with a Rainbow Warrior, though any colorful, flashy nymph will work well. Wade anglers should hit this stretch now — winter rains will push flows too high to wade as the season progresses.

North Georgia Small Streams Fishing Report – Stealth, Small Flies, and Low Water Tactics

Small streams have been fishing great between rain events, though flows remain low. Downsizing tippet and maintaining a stealthy approach are key.

Top producers include:

• Size 16–18 Caddis emergers
• Size 18–20 BWOs
• Size 18–20 Midges

Trout will still take a Pat’s Rubber Legs or an Egg pattern, especially when flows rise after rain. Dry fly fishing has been best from midday through the afternoon. A perfect low-water setup is an Elk Hair Caddis with a small Caddis emerger or Blue-Wing dropper — a light rig that lands softly and fishes well in both shallow riffles and deeper pockets.

Small stream fishing continues to shine with light rigs, small flies, and a quiet approach.

Hot Flies for Blue Ridge & North Georgia – Early December

• Nymphs & Emergers
• Flashback Hare’s Ear (sz 18)
• Flashback Pheasant Tail (sz 18)
• Rainbow Warrior (sz 18)
• Jigged Pheasant Tail (sz 16–18)
• Jigged Hare’s Ear (sz 16–18)
• HDAV (sz 16)
• Holy Grail (sz 16)
• Swing Caddis (sz 16)
• Bird’s Nest (sz 16)
• WD-40 (sz 18–20)
• RS2 (sz 18–20)
• Dry Flies
• Elk Hair Caddis (Orange sz 14–16, Tan sz 16–18)
• Cornfed Caddis (Olive or Tan sz 14–16)
• Parachute Adams (sz 16–18)
• Parachute BWO (sz 16–18)
• Griffith’s Gnat
• Attractor, Worms & Streamers
• Pat’s Rubber Legs
• Glo Bug
• EZ Egg
• Squirmy Worm
• San Juan Worm
• Wooly Bugger
• Sparkle Minnow
• Laser Legal