If you head through the Chattahoochee National Forest, there have been a few closings in group areas and campsites. I would call the Blue Ridge District office to make sure that the stream you plan on fishing is accessible. The number for their office is 706-745-6928. According to the Chattahoochee National Forest website as of April 10th, all national forest developed campgrounds, group recreation sites, picnic pavilions and all restrooms, as well as many trails, dispersed recreation sites and roads are temporarily shut down. This is a list of all the closings: www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation
The Toccoa Tailwater has been fishing well outside of generation. The rain today/tomorrow may blow out tributary streams, but Tammen Park should still be clear. We’ve been flipping over rocks and finding big case caddis, golden stoneflies, hellgrammites, and plenty of different mayfly nymphs. I would try throwing some sexy walt’s, Pat’s Rubber Legs in the variegated varieties, tan or chartreuse mop flies, holy grails in olive, and pheasant tail soft hackles under a strike indicator or large Chubby Cherynobyls. For hatches, have some Tan and Olive X-caddis and Parachute Adams in a few sizes. I keep a few Light Cahills and Sulphurs in my box this time of year just in case.
The Upper Toccoa Delayed Harvest is flowing at 1100 cFs and still hasn’t spiked out on the graph, so go somewhere else this weekend.
Small Streams in the area should be fishing well. I would expect them to be higher than normal, so utilize split shot and high stick techniques to fish pocket water outside of heavy current. I would throw some larger stoneflies, wooly buggers, and san juan worms in addition to some large walt’s worms and tan or chartreuse mop flies. Flip over rocks and see what you find and match accordingly.
The Etowah River is probably going to be blown out from the rain this week, but if generation allows, I would bring a 6-8 weight rigged with a floating or intermediate line on 12-16 lb leader. Fish flies that push water or put off a lot of flash – Kreelex’s, sparkle minnows, Cowen’s Coyote, Schmidterbaits, and Bulkheads will all produce spotted bass right now. The striper aren’t in yet, but we’re booking up our May and June calendar for float trips now. Call us if you have questions about Bass or Striper fly fishing – we’ve hung our hat on chasing these river bass for 10 years, and we keep a full stock of everything you need.
Check the generation schedule before you plan your trip! We do not recommend that you float the Etowah if Allatoona dam is releasing water. We do not recommend wading the Toccoa if the TVA is releasing water. Check the release schedules and be safe!
Toccoa River Delayed Harvest flows
Allatoona Dam Release Schedule – (706) 334-7213
Blue Ridge Shop: 7069463044
