Blue Ridge, GA Fishing Report: Toccoa River Fly Fishing Update
Summer fly fishing in Blue Ridge, Georgia is in full swing, and the Toccoa River Tailwater continues to offer some great opportunities for trout anglers. From early morning dry fly action to afternoon streamer fishing during generation, there are plenty of ways to beat the heat and find fish.
Toccoa River Tailwater Fishing Report
The Toccoa Tailwater is fishing great for the middle of summer. Even with these 90-degree days, water temperatures are staying really cold. In the mornings at the dam, the water temperature is around 50 degrees. Thirteen miles downstream, water temperatures are around 57 degrees in the morning.
Fishing in the morning on low water has been great for numbers. The DNR has been stocking the river frequently, so there are plenty of rainbows and even a few brookies to be found.
Sulphurs and tan caddis have been catching a lot of fish. Dry flies have been great in the early morning, then as the sun gets higher, it has been best to switch over to dry droppers.
Best Flies for the Toccoa Tailwater Right Now
For dries, good options include Tan Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Sulphur, or a Sulphur Comparadun. For nymphs, try a Jigged Pheasant Tail or Frenchie as your point fly, then tie on a Holy Grail or Sulphur Emerger behind it.
Best Time of Day to Fish the Toccoa Tailwater
Mornings have been the most productive, but fish are still being found midday in the heat. During the middle of the day, the fish are spookier and more indecisive, so target shade, make longer casts, and take your time getting multiple good drifts through each spot.
As usual, TVA has been running water in the afternoons. Lately, the water has been getting cut on anywhere from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. These late afternoon generations are great opportunities to streamer fish and make for some awesome scenery with all of the fog on the water.
With all of the recent stockings, big browns are feeding on these rainbows. There have been plenty of good fishing opportunities on the river, and it has been a great way to beat the heat.
Upper Toccoa River Fishing Report
Water temperatures are getting too warm on the Upper Toccoa. Delayed Harvest starts back on November 1.
Blue Ridge Small Stream Trout Fishing Report
Terrestrial fishing on the creeks has been taking off. Make sure to bring some hoppers, beetles, ants, and inchworms.
During terrestrial season, your normal Chubby Chernobyl does not always cut it. Throw more realistic patterns or match the hatch based on what you see crawling on the ground or in the trees. A lot of fish are listening for the plop of a bug falling in, especially under the trees.
Keep an eye on your water temperatures. Some lower-elevation streams may be getting too warm. Remember, at 68 degrees and above, many trout will not survive being caught. Stick to higher elevations and cooler water.
Warmwater Fly Fishing Report for North Georgia
With this 90-degree weather, midday fishing has been tough. Get out there when the sun comes up or stay until the sun goes down. Both have been good bite windows.
Stripers have been in the rivers, but low flows and hot days have made the fishing tough. The next bite we are looking out for is the bass bug bite.
The middle of summer through the fall offers some of the best topwater fly fishing of the year. From the slowest sips to aggressive blowups, river bass give some of the best visual eats. It is a lot like hopper fishing for trout, just for bass.
A good plop and an occasional twitch on a long presentation can pull bass out of structure you cannot get your streamer into.
Hot Flies for Blue Ridge, GA Fly Fishing
- Elk Hair Caddis, size 18-20
- Parachute Sulphur, size 12-16
- Sulphur Comparadun, size 14-16
- Antonio’s Emerger, size 16
- Jigged Frenchie, size 12-16
- Jigged Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, size 12-16
- Duracell, size 14-18
- Crystal Hunchback Emerger, size 14-18
- Two Tone Hunchback Emerger, size 14-18
- Crust Nymph, size 14-18
- Geenie Weenie, size 12-14
- Green Mop Fly, size 12-14
- Hi-Vis Beetle, size 14-16
- Black Fat Albert, size 10-12
- Black Foam PMX, size 10-12
- Galloup’s Ant Acid, size 14-16
- Boogle Bug
- Mr. Wiggly
- Spot-On Baitfish
Book a Guided Fly Fishing Trip in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Want to get on the water with a local guide? Cohutta Fishing Co. offers guided fly fishing trips in Blue Ridge, Georgia for trout, bass, and seasonal warmwater species. Whether you are new to fly fishing or looking to dial in the current bite, our guides can help you make the most of your time on the water.
