Winter fishing on the waters around us can often be some of the best and most rewarding times spent out on the water. Trout are happy with water temperature and actively feeding, especially mid morning through the afternoon. This time of year you can often find yourself alone on a body of water as the “fair weather” fisherman are preparing for warmer days by tying flies and watching fishing videos online.

Private Water

The Etowah river here in Dahlonega has been fishing well for us, with some of the biggest fish being caught on the coldest days we have been out there. There have been some very healthy browns being caught, with a few in the 20 inch range. Expect to be fishing smaller nymphs, such as a sz.18 pheasant tail and size 20 olive emergers. Fish are still eating the bigger stuff as well in this section, particularly stonefly imitations as this is one of the main aquatic insects we have in this watershed.

The Soque has been producing some good numbers of quality fish, with the upper section at Dragonfly being the star of the show recently. Big rainbows and browns, with some of the rainbows being wild, are what we are tangling with on this section of the creek. The lower portion has been heating up as well, with a few surprise browns being caught during this cold weather period and consistently putting mid 20 inch rainbows to net.

Float Trip

The Toccoa river in Blue Ridge, Georgia has been fishing well on both low water nymphing and high water streamers. Small and natural on light tippet has been the key for the low water game, while big white articulated streamers are productive when the dam is releasing. We are gearing up and excited for the black caddis hatch that will happen in mid to late February when we will see great numbers of fish on dry flies!

The Tuckasegee river in Sylva and Dillsboro, North Carolina has been fishing very good as well. Typical dry dropper set ups with size 16 or 18 tungsten breaded flies have been the ticket. The fish will eat junk right now so eggs, squirmy worms, and the like are working as well. There are lots of big brookies chasing down streamers and some large browns sitting deep eating nymphs as well.

Looking Forward…

This Spring is going to be a great one for wade trips and float trips alike! Water levels, fish density, size of fish, and success through the winter has got us excited to see what is to come. We are beginning to gear up for the annual striper run into our North Georgia rivers and remember if you’re looking from prime dates for this event May and June are typically our favorites!