Toccoa Tailwater
We’ve had a lot of rain coming through in the past two weeks and there is more on the way. With a lot of isolated storms, keeping an eye on the radar before fishing can help determine what will be fishable and what will be blown out. But don’t let the rain deter you. Most of these storms can be brief, just make sure to bring a rain jacket. Streamer fishing in particular has been great during these types of days. With the native chubs and other minnows getting active in the increase of water temp. And with frequent stockings, there are plenty of bigger meals around for the bigger brown trout. Generations have still been all over the place. Sometimes in the mornings, sometimes midday and usually a couple of hours late afternoon. But these short windows of high water have been leading to some great streamer fishing. On low water, expect to see some bugs in the morning and late in the afternoon. Fishing has been pretty good up until the hottest part of the day. Been starting to see some Sulphurs and Light Cahills the past two weeks, so definitely keep some yellow or cream dries in your box. For the nymphs, a Pheasant Tail or Frenchie has been my go to point fly with a Flashback Hare’s Ear or PT off the back. Soft hackles have been working great during the hatches as well. Definitely sticking to dry dropper rigs, as our terrestrial season is fast approaching. Stock up on some black and orange foam dries, because we should be seeing some cicadas here soon. A lot of cicada patterns can be too big for a majority of trout to get a solid hook up on. Try using Fat Alberts, Chubbies, or something where the hook gap isn’t taken up by the foam. Definitely stick with orange and black for these. We will be guiding for a variety of different species during this hatch, and if you haven’t experienced a cicada hatch, you need to call to book now!
Upper Toccoa
Currently the Upper is running at 1,350cfs after peaking at 2,400cfs yesterday. This will take a day or two to clear up, but with more rain in the forecast, its probably better going somewhere else. DH ends May 15th.
Small Streams
Small streams are fishing great when clear right now. The rain is keeping the flow up, making for some less spooky fish. Lots of bugs coming off, but stick with anything yellow for your dry. Sulphurs, Light Cahills, and Yellow Sallies are plentiful. In a lot of these places all you should need is a sz14 Yellow PMX or Stimulator. If the fish aren’t too eager to come up. Throw a Frenchie, Pheasant Tail, or March Brown Jig under the same dry or bump up to a sz12. Terrestrial season is fast approaching, so get your beetles, ants, and hoppers ready. Cicadas should also be popping off in some of these streams, but most smaller fish wont be able to get them in their mouth.
Warmwater
As our cicada hatch is fast approaching, all of us have top water on our minds. Cicadas are expected to hatch throughout North Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This will lead to some of the best top water fly fishing there is. Carp, Bass, and even some catfish will be cruising the surface looking for cicadas to eat. Some have started to emerge already, but give it a few weeks and there will be thousands. This will be some of the best carp fishing there is so don’t miss out. Get your trip booked soon. With all of this rainy weather, the striper fishing has been pretty solid in the places that aren’t blown out. A lot of the fishing right now is looking for windows or clear water.
Hot Flies:
- Jigged Pheasant Tail (sz12-16)
- Frenchie (sz12-16)
- Jigged Hare’s Ear (sz12-16)
- March Brown Jig (sz12-14)
- Walt’s Worm (sz12-14)
- Duracell (sz12-16)
- Blow Torch (sz12-16)
- Crystal Hunchback (sz14-16)
- Flashback Hare’s Ear (sz12-16)
- Flashback Pheasant Tail (sz12-16)
- Soft Hackle Hare’s EAr (sz12-16)
- Soft Hackle Pheasant TAil (sz12-16)
- Rainbow Warrior (sz14-16)
- Yellow Stimulator
- Yellow PMX
- Pat’s Rubber Legs
- Parachute Sulphur
- Fat Albert
- Project Cicada
- Moodah Poodah Black
- CDC Comparadun Sulphur
- San Juan Worm
- Squirmy Worm
- Sex Dungeon
- Viking Midge
- Sluggo
- Boogle Bug
