Fishing Report Sept. 27, 2019

The Etowah River is fishing okay when conditions allow. Water temperatures out of the dam are peaking at 82 degrees. Keep an eye on the USGS gauges – if the temperature drops, we’re going to be looking at some very good bass fishing in the river. If you’re headed out there, get on the river early or late and bring rods rigged with different floating and sinking lines and a mixed bag of flies to cover your bases – boogle bugs, swim frogs, jigging streamers like clouser minnows and sparkle minnows, swimming flies like game changers. Being able to adjust and fish different parts of the water column with different actions will make or break a day on the river right now.

The Toccoa Tailwater is fishing decently when conditions allow. The river is still being stocked, so fishing has been consistent. If we can get some rain and cooler water temperatures we’re going to see the switch flip and fall fishing will be in full swing. We’ve been fishing the standard tailwater fare of Pat’s Rubber Legs, Squirmy worms, Rainbow Warriors, and Pheasant tails, but other bugs such as lightning bugs, El Diablos, Holy Grails, and TungStones should produce.

The Toccoa Delayed Harvest starts November 1st – the river is still too low and warm, but it’s time to start thinking about Delayed Harvest season! From November through May, a portion of the Toccoa River off of Dial Road is designated catch and release, single hooks only, and artificials only.

Small Streams are extremely low and clear. These streams are fishing well, but require a lot of stealth and proper presentation. I would recommend fishing light 3 and 4 weight setups with 5x and 6x leaders with dry flies. Parachute Adams, X-Caddis, and Yellow Stimulators are always my go to flies, but any general mayfly or caddis imitator should produce. Use single droppers off the dries if topwater doesn’t produce. I like small stoneflies, 16-18 pheasant tails, 16-18 soft hackle hare’s ears, and 14-16 holy grails. Walk softly and fish methodically.

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!