Trout Fishing in Blue Ridge Georgia, an Anglers Guide


Trout Fishing Blue Ridge, Georgia

This article will focus on trout fishing Blue Ridge. North Georgia offers anglers some excellent fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout. There are some wild brook trout in the smaller streams as well.

Franklin North Carolina brown trout

There are several small rivers and many streams that offer excellent trout fishing in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Georgia has approximately 4000 miles of trout streams. Most of these are on private property, but there is still plenty of public access. The best fishing is usually on the private stretches as they get less fishing pressure. Many consider Fannin County to have the best and most diverse freshwater trout fishing.

Most of the trout are stocked fish. These streams are generally not fertile, due the the calcium deficient soil. That, and the need to provide fish for over 100,000 anglers annually results in the need for stocking and special regulations. Following the stocking schedules can be crucial to achieving success, especially on the public waters.

Trout can be caught year round by anglers trout fishing Blue Ridge Georgia. The tailwaters of the Toccoa River as it flows from Blue Ridge Lake provides a consistent water temperature. Some of the best trout fishing occurs in the colder months when angling pressure is virtually non-existent.

Trout fishing Blue Ridge Georgia techniques

trout fishing

Anglers trout fishing Blue Ridge Georgia can take trout using several different methods. Many anglers use the classic technique of fly fishing. Spin anglers do well using artificial lures such as small Roostertail, Mepps, and Blue Fox spinners. Many of the streams and rivers allow anglers to use live bait as well.

Anglers can read about the best trout fishing lures in this article

Fly anglers use from 3wt to 6wt outfits, with a 5wt being a good all round choice. Floating lines and 9 foot 3x to 6x leaders are used. Lighter 3wt-4wt outfits work well for anglers hiking up into the mountains to fish the smaller streams. Jennifer uses Moonshine Rod Company fly rods. These are reasonably priced, work great, and come with a spare tip. Anglers do not need to spend a ton of money to go trout fishing northwest Georgia.

fli fishing Franklin North Carolina

Fly-fishermen do well to mimic the insects that are hatching that day. Popular patterns that match hatching flies include Blue-winged Olives, Quill Gordons, Hendricksons, Sulfurs, and Pale Morning Duns. Caddis flies are usually black-, tan- or olive-bodied, sporting blonde wings. Jennifer’s favorite dry flies are the Chubby Chernobyl and blue wing olive.

Streamers are used by anglers seeking larger trout. A streamer represents a larger meal such as a minnow or crayfish. As trout mature, they seek out one large meal as opposed to a bunch of insects.

Nymphing for Blue Ridge trout

When no bugs are seen hatching, fly anglers should choose nymph patterns that match these same insects. Copper John, Prince, Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail are effective patterns. Colors patterns are commonly dark or light, but the Copper John comes in green, red, blue, copper and chartreuse colors. Jennifer’s favorite nymphs are Euro style nymphs tied locally by her friend Justin Aldrich.

fishing franklin North Carolina

One extremely effective technique is to use a dry fly with a nymph dropper, or even two. Many are familiar with this, commonly called the “popper dropper” rig. A large attractor dry fry is used with a nymph on an 18” to 24” dropper. Experienced fly anglers can add a second fly. However, this can be difficult for the novice to keep from tangling.

While the large dry fly can draw a strike, the primary use is as a strike indicator. It also suspends the nymph(s) at the proper level in the water column, reducing the number of snags. Nymph casters can eliminate the dry fly and use a standard strike indicator as well.

Trout fishing Blue Ridge with spinning tackle

Spin anglers will do well with a simple ultralight spinning outfit spooled up with 4 pound monofilament line. Anglers can bump it up to 6 pound line when fishing the Toccoa River, particularly when the water has a bit of “color” to it. Small inline spinners work very well, as do tiny spoons.

trout fishing blue ridge

Anglers seeking that trophy brown trout can cast a small Rapala plug. These won’t produce many strikes, but they will be big fish! Check current regulations, many streams require single hook artificial lures to be used. All of these lures produce year round. Larger lures work best early and late in the season and day. Smaller lures will draw strikes mid day and in the summer time.

Blue Ridge trout fishing seasons

Spring is an excellent time of year for trout fishing north Georgia. Fish are aggressive as they have received little pressure in the winter. Jennifer likes to start with a large surface fly such as a hopper. It will draw some terrific strikes! If the bite is slow or the trout seem reluctant, she adds a Pheasant Tail or Copper John dropper to get the bite going. A second dropper with a tungsten bead head will get down quickly and increase the odds of catching a trout.

Anglers trout fishing North Georgia in summer can catch fish, but it requires a change in tactics. Recreational; traffic is heavy. Tubers and kayaks will be thick as people enjoy the summer weather. Anglers will need to fish early and late. Jennifer enjoys taking advantage of the dry fly bite in summer. Her favorite fly is a # 12 Blue Wing Olive pattern. She will add a dropper if the trout refuse to rise to the dry fly.

trout fishing Blue Ridge

Fall trout fishing tips

Fall trout fishing in northwest Georgia can be outstanding! Cooling water temperatures and less fishing pressure will improve the chances of success. Anglers can drift dry flies, nymphs, and droppers. The same patterns that produced in spring will work well in the fall. Jennifer likes to cast streamers this time of year. They produce less in terms of numbers, but larger streams will catch larger trout. Big bait equals big fish! Her favorite streamers are # 6 Bunny Leeches and Slump Busters.

Winter trout fishing in Northwest Georgia can be very good, but is does require a change of tactics. Hatches are not present. Anglers need to fish low and slow. A Wooly Bugger dead drifted through a hole or run will produce. A dry or strike indicator will reduce snags. Spin fishers can slow roll a large inline spinner to fool a trophy. Fish will not be active or chase a bait, so anglers need to cover the entire area thoroughly.

Trout fishing Blue Ridge Georgia waters

TOCCOA RIVER

The Toccoa River is a gorgeous stream that flows through northwest Georgia. There are two distinct sections; the tailwater below the Blue Ridge Lake Dam and the river upstream from the lake. The water below the dam has a lot of public access. This gives anglers without access to private water a good chance to catch fish.

trout fishing blue ridge

Much of the Toccoa River upstream from the dam is private. These is access, but less than on the tailwater side of the river. Anglers can fish this stretch of river by hiring a guide. There are also stretches that can be floated by trout fishermen with a boat. Due to the lack of access and private water, this portion of the river can be very productive. There is also a delayed harvest in this section,

FIGHTINGTOWN CREEK

This beautiful little stream offers good fishing for numbers of fish. It is stocked and most of it is on private land. Fightingtown Creek is a perfect size; it is small and easy to wade and fish. However, it is large enough that fish are not ultra-spooky. One great way to experience this fishing is to rent one of the many cabins that are right on the creek. They are affordable and have a great “ambiance”.

NOONTOOLA CREEK

Noontoola Creek is a gorgeous little trout stream in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Forest Road 58 offers fly anglers access at many different locations. The scenery is stunning and the fishing is excellent in the pools and riffles of this stream. The area near Noontoola Falls where Long Creek comes in is a particularly good area of the creek.

HOTHOUSE CREEK

Hothouse Creek and Mineral Bluff near the Curtis Switch is another good little stream. Much of this flows through private land however is accessible from the bridge. This is a smaller, more technical stream, but offers good fishing to patient anglers.

HEMPTOWN CREEK

Hemptown Creek is another productive trout fishing stream in North Georgia. Is conveniently located just a few minutes east of Blue Ridge Lake and eventually empties into the Toccoa River downstream from the dam. Several bridges and turnouts offer access to anglers waiting the creek.

CHATAHOOCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

Chattahoochee National Forest has many miles of small streams that the adventurous trout angler can explore. Service roads offer parking and access. The scenery is fantastic and anglers looking to get off the beaten path will enjoy this experience.

In conclusion, anglers trout fishing Blue Ridge Georgia will enjoy this stunning scenery and outstanding freshwater trout fishing that Fannin County offers.

Jim Klopfer

Capt Jim Klopfer has been a fishing guide in Sarasota, Florida since 1991. He grew up in Maryland, fishing the Chesapeake Bay waters. Capt Jim has been creating an writing articles about fishing for decades, contributing to many regional and national publications. He also lives part time in the North Carolina mountains where he fishes for trout and other species. Capt Jim Klopfer is a wel rounded angler with 50 years fishing experience, and he loves to share what he has learned with other anglers!

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