North Georgia Fishing
"Exploring the Beauty of North Georgia: An Insider's Guide to Fly Fishing in the Mountains"
North Georgia Fishing
Neighboring Southeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina, North Georgia is home to 3 species of trout, including rainbows, browns, and brook trout. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains with its amazing scenery and ease of access, this makes it an ideal destination to get out on the water and go after some big fish! Its proximity to Atlanta is a major convenience as well. In a short 2 hour drive, you can be in Blue Ridge, which has been dubbed "The Trout Capital of Georgia". With a name like that, it's no wonder that people flock here for their next fly fishing trip! The state has many other great rivers and streams that anglers will find appealing, but North Georgia is the epitome of a great trout fishing location. Most places in the area are suited for beginners and experts alike.
In this article we want to explore the different types of fly fishing you can find here and where you can go to do it. We'll try our best to answer all of your questions about fishing in this region: the different areas to fly fish, the best spots on our rivers and streams and the different guides available to help make your time in the North Georgia Mountains successful. Whether you want to head out on one of our lakes or head out on one of the many blue ribbon trout streams, we're certain that you'll have a memorable experience fishing here!
Types of Fishing
While we understand that fly fishing isn't the only type of fishing to do, but it is the one we want to highlight in this article. We wrote a great article that highlights the difference between fly fishing vs spin fishing if you want to check it out. You might be thinking, "isn't there only one type of fly fishing?" In the sense of using flies, a fly rod and the general fly fishing equipment, then yes there is. But we want to look further into the types of fly fishing you can do here when it comes to fishing for different species and how to fish the different sections and type of waters that we have. Any fly angler will tell you that there are many different approaches you can take when it comes to targeting the different fish that we have here. Most of the time, people are only thinking about heading out on the river to fish for trout. But, we have tons of other creeks, reservoirs and lakes that can be fly fished as well depending on what species of fish you're going after! We're primarily going to focus on fishing for trout in this article, and the places that are best for that.
Mountain Stream Fishing
When it comes to fly fishing, mountain streams are a favorite of ours. It's such an exhilarating experience to catch a nice rainbow trout or brown out of a creek! While the average size of a trout caught in North Georgia is around 12-14 inches, the fish in the mountains tend to be a bit smaller, but it doesn't mean it's less fun! There's just something about hiking into the mountains to get to one of these streams that makes it our favorite. Especially if we can set up a tent and spend a couple of days there!
Fishing in the mountains does come with some drawbacks though. For one, casting becomes a bit more technical here. There's nothing worse than seeing a big fish in a hole and then going to cast for it and getting your line hung up in the trees behind you. We've been there plenty of times and we're sure it will happen again. This is also our favorite place to throw our dry flies. Dry flies here don't often have to be presented as well, as the fish here aren't used to having as much pressure as the tailwater systems. It's a great place to bring a beginner so they can have better chances at actually catching a fish. It's also a great place to bring your family! There are numerous campgrounds with great fishing streams that are perfect for getting your kids hooked on the sport, no pun intended.
You'll also need some additional gear here. Most of the time when someone is getting into fly fishing, they buy a 9' 5 weight rod and reel. This is because it's the perfect size for most of the types of fishing you can do, but it's best suited for open spaces and tailwater sections. When it comes to being in those tighter spaces like mountain streams present, you want something a little shorter than 9' and you also don't need a heavier weight, since the sizes of fish here are typically smaller. We find that 7'5" 3-4 weight does a good job here. It's short enough to help you manage your line and casting better, and light enough to really enjoy the fight with the smaller fish, but still efficient for those big lurkers as well.
Tailwater Fishing
We have 2 tailwater sections here in North Georgia where the trout bite is strong and they can be fished year round! We'll explore more about those places below, but we want to help you understand how this type of fishing is vastly different than the mountain streams. A tailwater is most commonly defined as a section of river that tails a dam. Hence the name "tailwater". Tailwater sections are great because they are generally bottom fed from their headwaters above, which makes the water cooler and a better ecosystem for trout to live in. They often have a wider stretch of river to fish in because of this as well. Because they are often larger and have a more consistent flow, this makes for a more predictable fishing season for anglers. Because it helps produce a more efficient ecosystem for the fish, you can find some real trophy trout in these waters. There are also other options for how you choose to go fishing here.
While the mountain streams will require you to have your waders for a day of fishing, the tailwater can be enjoyed from a drift boat or raft on a day's float trip. While most fishermen don't mind wading, others would prefer to float 100% of the time. While we agree that floating is our preferred way, there's something special and intimate about being in the water with the fish you want to catch.
The other great thing about the tailwaters is that you can fish for different species as well! Striped bass is a popular fish that you can find here and they are a blast to catch on a fly rod! You'll obviously need a larger weight rod for these fish, since they are so much larger than trout. No matter which species of fish you want to target here, you need to make sure you do some studying around what's the best methodology, flies and gear to use to target these fish. We suggest finding a good fly shop in the area that can give you some of their expertise and knowledge on the best approaches to take. Even better yet, find a guide service to go take you fishing and tell them that you really want to spend your day learning more about how to be a better angler. We've found that most guides are more than happy to teach you and give you some tips and tricks to help make you a better fisherman.
Best Fishing Locations in North Georgia
Tailwater Locations
Chattahoochee River
Beginning just outside of Helen, the Chattahoochee River is one of the most popular destinations for fly fishing in the Peach State. Once it reaches below Buford Dam on Lake Lanier it becomes the largest tailwater river that we have, making it ideal for chasing after some monster brown trout. On average, you can expect to catch fish that are between 1-2 pounds here. But don't let that deter you, we have some monster browns here! This river currently holds the Georgia state record for brown trout! Chad Doughty holds the record for his fish, which weighed in at 20lb 14oz and was 31.5 inches long!
Wade Fishing Access Points:
Toccoa River
Nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Toccoa headwaters start in the Southeast corner of Union County in Georgia. After its origins around the Town of Suches, the Toccoa flows into Lake Blue ridge and subsequently out of the bottom of Blue Ridge dam. This is the only other year round tailwater section in the state, just behind the Hooch. We had mentioned earlier that Blue Ridge, GA is touted as the Trout Capital of Georgia and the Toccoa River has a lot to do with that. The Toccoa River tailwater is primarily a river that needs to be fished by boat, but there are 3 public access spots where you can wade fish as well.
Wade Fishing Access Points:
Mountain Stream Locations
Soque River
The Soque is a great mountain stream but it is largely private access only, aside from a small section off of hwy 197 in between Clarkesville and Batesville, Ga. This river primarily runs along privately owned land and a rod fee or Soque River fly fishing guide service is required to fish this stream. With that being said, it's known to produce some freakishly large fish! If you're after huge trout, you want to check this section out.
Dukes Creek
Tucked into the Smithgall Woods State Park, this is one of Georgia's premier trout streams. It's currently the only Public Trophy trout stream in the state of Georgia. This, of course, makes it a very sought after destination and puts a lot of pressure on the fish. Because of this, you do have to make a reservation ahead of time to fish there. They are only open to day-use anglers on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. If you choose to stay in one of their cottages, fishing is open every day of the week. You'll need to call ahead to make sure the dates you want are open and available.
Noontootla Creek
Noontootla Creek, located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, is a fly fisher's paradise. This stunning creek, which is a tributary of the Toccoa River, winds through the dense forests of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The pristine, cold waters of Noontootla Creek, enriched by the natural springs and rainfall, create an ideal habitat for rainbow trout, brown trout, and native brook trout. The creek's cascading waters and rock formations provide not just an excellent fishing ground but also a visually enchanting environment for anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature.
For anglers, Noontootla Creek fishing offers a challenging and rewarding experience. The trout in the creek are known for being selective, and successful fishing often requires careful consideration of fly selection and technique. Many fly fishers opt to hire local guides who are well-versed in the creek’s fishing spots and the behavior of the fish. With its lush surroundings, the melodious sound of water flowing over rocks, and the thrill of catching a feisty trout, Noontootla Creek provides an unforgettable fishing and nature experience that leaves a lasting impression on the soul.
Conclusion
By and large, there is an abundant opportunity for fly anglers to enjoy trout fishing on our North GA rivers. With all of the major tailwaters, streams and tributaries we have, you have a range of locations to choose from and a really good chance at catching some good fish! Trout anglers far and wide come from across the country to chase after trout in these fisheries. No matter your skills, whether you're a beginner or complete pro, North Georgia has something for everyone! If you would like more information, in addition to what we've given here, we would be happy to point you in the right direction! Simply give us a call or contact us via email and we'll help you take advantage of this amazing trout fisheries we have!
We hope you've enjoyed this article and have learned a thing or two about what trout fishing in North Georgia has to offer! If you have any questions about fishing conditions or would like to book a trip with us, feel free to reach out!
Tight lines until then!
-Daniel Bowman
Owner/Head Guide
About The Author: Daniel Bowman
Daniel cut his guide teeth with two seasons at Egdorf’s Western Alaska Sports Fishing by running jet boats with clients on the Nushagak.
Today there’s no boat ramp too narrow, steep, or downright rambunctious that Daniel’s not willing to drop his Hyde drift boat down for an optimal day on the water.
He’s a can-do expert who is there to serve with a positive mojo which always translates into a well-executed trip, whether floating the beautiful Toccoa River tailwater in North Georgia or wading and pestering trophy trout on private waters from Blue Ridge to Cleveland, GA.