Toccoa Tailwater: Blue Ridge Dam is currently under maintenance. They are sluicing 600cfs with water temps coming out of the dam at 64 degrees. Wading at the accesses is very limited at this flow with the water level 1-2ft higher than normal. Float fishing on the other hand has been great. Keep an eye on the average outflow on the TVA generation schedule for a change in flows and expect changes in the flow when there is rain in the forecast. These sluice flows have always been a favorite of ours for float trips. The extra water coming down really turns the fish on. Earlier this week, flows were running at 350cfs. This is a flow great for wading and floating. At this flow, the afternoon hatches were great. BWO’s have been starting first, followed by Olive Caddis, Grey Caddis, and October Caddis. Dry droppers and dry flies fished great at this flow. On 11/03, flows were bumped up to 600cfs. Expect to fish bobber rigs and streamers at this flow. Really take your time to work thoroughly on the higher flow and adjust your depth and weight frequently to make sure you’re getting in the zone. The hatches haven’t been as thick on the higher flows but keep that dry fly rig handy in the boat. All of these flows can be good for streamers as well. Lots of the browns have been feeling chasey and getting in the prespawn mode. Even the 350cfs flow gives fish plenty of water to sneak into cover on the bank. The extra water really has been getting the big fish feeding. Fishing has really been firing up out here and it’s looking like these sluice flows will be around until Nov. 25th so get out there while you can! Give us a call to book your float during one of the prettiest times of year on the river.
Upper Toccoa: DH season is here! The Upper Toccoa is currently running at 200cfs. This can be a low flow for floating but a great flow for wading! Always check the flow on the USGS website to stay up to date with the flow after some rain. Anything over 500cfs is too high towade safely. Stockings started on Nov. 1st so these fish are pretty fresh. Throwing junk flies like Eggs, Worms, Rubberlegs, or anything flashy is always a safe bet to catch fish. Dry dropper rigs are my go to up here at these low flows. A lot of these fish will come up for a Chubby. Swinging Wooly Buggers or Sparkle Minnows is also a fun change of pace up there as well. This should be your best wade fishing option while the sluice flows are high on the tailwater
Small Streams: Small streams are still running a bit low and clear even after some of the rain we’ve gotten. But that hasn’t kept the fish from feeding. Being stealthy, downsizing your tippet, and making sure you have a good presentation is key. These creeks are already running plenty cold. With nightly temps getting down in the 30’s some nights, expect fishing to be better once the sun gets on the water. We’ve been seeing plenty of caddis around midday through the afternoon. Dry droppers are still the best bet right now as the fish are looking up a lot. Some spawning activity is also beginning to start so keep some eggs on you. Eggs and stoneflies have been working well early in the mornings, but as the bugs start to hatch, put them away. Fish have been a lot buggier in the afternoons eating Caddis, BWO’s and Midges. Watch your step this time of year. Fish will start spawning and making redds in shallow, riffly water. Stay clear of these so that you don’t step on and crush the eggs.If you see fish on them leave them alone and let them do their thing. No one wants to get interrupted in the bedroom.
Hot Flies:
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...
Cooling Creeks The creeks are cooling and fishing well. Terrestrial patterns like ants, beetles, and hoppers continue to be productive and worth having in your box. Toccoa River Update The Toccoa is entering its normal turnover period near the dam, which means the...
Warmwater Fishing in North Georgia Spotted bass fishing has been on fire the past few weeks! Throwing topwater poppers for bass is one of the most exciting summer bites, second only to striper fishing. Watching a bass slowly rise out of structure to sip a bug is an...
