January’s cold weather means fishing tactics and fly selection remain steady until the highly anticipated black caddis hatch arrives in February. The key adjustment this month is targeting the mid-day bite window, as fish are most active during the warmest part of the day. This approach holds true for both the creeks and the larger waters, such as the Upper and Lower Toccoa.
On the Delayed Harvest (DH) section of the Toccoa, we’re seeing great success with Pat’s Rubber Legs, Rainbow Warriors, and Wooly Buggers. Fish are stacking up in deeper runs and responding well to these productive patterns.
For the Lower Toccoa, dry dropper rigs are performing well. Pair a Pat’s Rubber Legs with an egg dropper for reliable action. Streamer enthusiasts are also finding success with Sparkle Minnows and Mini Dungeons, which are enticing aggressive strikes in both high and low water. Don’t forget—let the fly swing! Many bites are coming on the swing at the end of the drift, so be patient.
Looking to dial in your winter fly selection or refine your approach? Stop by Cohutta Fishing Company for expert advice, top-notch gear, and the perfect flies for January conditions. Let’s fish!
Toccoa Tailwater: As we transition into our summer pattern, time of day will make or break your day of fishing. The mornings and late afternoons have been great out on the Toccoa. Fish have been eagerly eating mayfly and caddis nymphs. Lots of small Tan Caddis...
Water is still low despite some rain here and there. We’ve wrapped up the black caddis from last month and are now starting to see March Browns showing up here and there. Hot flies on the Toccoa tailwater have been Duracells with...
Toccoa Tailwater: As a lot of you may know, Black Caddis have been coming off for about 3 weeks now. The cold snap has put the hatch on pause, but the warmer weather should trigger bigger hatches again. The best days to hit the hatch are the warm sunny days with...
