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 incredible sight.With lower, clearer water conditions, it’s a great time to put the streamer rod down and pick up a 5–7wt rod with a floating line. Bass are feeding on cicadas, hoppers, frogs, and other bugs dropping from trees. Boogle Bugs, Stealth Bombers, and Swim Frogs fished on a dead drift with the occasional pop are excellent choices. Striper fishing has remained strong as these fish hold in the rivers for cooler, oxygenated water. The run is winding down, so expect stripers to begin moving back toward the lakes soon.
Toccoa Tailwater Fishing Report – August 25
The Toccoa Tailwater is currently around 65°F below the dam. With turnover approaching in September, expect temps to rise soon, but for now the river is fishing well.Fishing terrestrials along the banks is a great way to target brown trout this time of year. Yeti Hoppers, Foam PMX, and AJ’s Beetle are top producers. Adding a short dropper like a Jigged Pheasant Tail or PMD Crust Nymph can increase success, especially in shallow water. Use 4–5x tippet for hoppers and 5–6x for droppers. Streamer fishing during high water has been hit or miss. Generation schedules often blow the river out, so the back end of the release when water begins clearing is most productive. Late afternoon generations tend to fish better than midday ones.
Upper Toccoa River Conditions
The Upper Toccoa is currently too warm to fish. The Delayed Harvest season begins November 1st, which will bring excellent trout fishing opportunities.
Small Stream Fly Fishing in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Cooler nights, mild days, and afternoon showers have kept North Georgia small streams in great shape. Flows are good, and water temps remain favorable for summer trout fishing.A single dry fly is often best. Yellow patterns like Stimulators or Yellow PMX are top picks, along with small creek staples such as the Tan Elk Hair Caddis or Purple Haze. Droppers are optional—use a single dry in riffles and pockets, but for deeper pools, nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, or Frenchies are highly effective.Don’t overlook sinking an ant pattern behind your dry fly, which can be deadly in summer conditions. Higher elevation streams with cooler water are holding more active fish throughout the day, offering some of the best trout fishing during the hottest months. Hot Flies for North Georgia Trout & Bass
- Yeti Hopper
- AJ’s Beetle
- Hi-Vis BeetleGalloup’s Ant Acid
- Yellow Stimulator
- Yellow PMX
- Purple Haze
- Tan Elk Hair Caddis
- Jigged Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
- Frenchie
- Two-Tone Hunchback
- Crystal Hunchback
- Pat’s Rubber Legs
- Boogle Bugs
- Paul Terry Poppers
- Stealth Bombers
- Nancy P’s
- Craw Changers
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