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DEL.ICIO.USHot spots: Aim high for mountain trout
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trout anglers should aim high to find fishable streams in the North Georgia mountains, says the Georgia DNR.
The best bets right now, if you are looking for smaller streams is to high higher-elevation streams.
Drought conditions have limited where and when trout can be stocked, due to high water temps and low stream flow.
Here are some streams to consider: Wildcat Creek (Rabun County), Cooper Creek (Union County) and Rock Creek (Fannin County). They are getting warm, but are still cool enough to be stocked.
Of course, if you wanrt to have cold water and enough flow, try a tailwater. The Chattahoochee below Buford Dam is an obvious choice, but don’t overlook the tailwater below Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County.
Updated fishing reports as of Aug. 6:
LAKE ALLATOONA
Stripers/hybrids: No change at Allatoona, which is a great thing. Guide Robert Eidson (First Bite Guide Service) says clients have been catching 20 to 35 fish on four-hour trips. Pick a main-lake point, start in about 20 feet of water and start working out with your downlines. The fish are setting up 18 to 24 feet deep, but they might be suspended over a deeper bottom..
The umbrella rigs are producing, too, but bites on topwater and flatlines are nonexistent. The south end of the lake is the key. If you’re fishing within sight of the dam, you’re in a good area. Fish from Clear Creek to the south, and into Allatoona Creek to about the railroad trestle at the southern end of Allatoona Landing.
LAKE LANIER
Stripers: Downlining in 50 to 60 feet is the best move, according to guide Doug Youngblood Use a 2-ounce sinker, with a No. 2 circle hook baited with live herring. Spool your reel with 20-pound test, and tie on a 7-foot leader of 15-pound flourocarbon. Look south of Brown’s Bridge. If you troll, use lead core line with 1-ounce bucktails.
Bass: Move out to brushpiles in 20-22 feet for the best spotted bass bite.
If you have a tip or report, please share.
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Comments
By Gene
August 10, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
The best fishing for big trout for me was always in mid to late summer in the Chattahoochee when it was unusually hot and dry. The biggest brown trout would find a deep pool with cool water and hang there. As the weather cooled, they would come out of the pools and prowl, and the fishing became more random for me. I still believe that the biggest brown trout in the state are between Morgan Falls and I-285. There are also some big ones south of Jones’ Bridge. By big, I mean 20” and over. I still have the picture of the 36” brown caught about 1990 just north of Morgan Falls.
By Jim W Harrison
August 12, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
The tailwaters of Hartwell dam and the headwaters of Lake R.B. Russell are good anytime for large browns and smaller rainbows. Just before Joey Mize set out for the artic circle and camp grayling, we compared notes on Savannah River trout. He has a slight edge on rainbow length, but I have him beat on trophy browns. Also, Jimmy Carter celebrated 31 years fishing on Spruce Creek, Penn.,near State College with a 29 inch rainbow.
By Jim W Harrison
August 14, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Rock Creek is not the trout stream of 50 years ago, but is always good for stocked rainbows and brooks. I was lucky to see the 18 lb. brown swimming free, before it was caught on opening day a half-century ago. It only ate other dieing trout and would stay in the closed part of the stream, near the hatchery. It’s age was estimated at over a decade, but it made a mistake of not returning to its deep pool one morning. I have caught several large browns above 15 lbs., but none with the memories of this fish.
By jim w harrison
September 3, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
With reduced flows behind the dam at Hartwell, and to the headwaters of Russell, look for small stocker rainbows and browns near the shore in GA and SC. The large trout will reappear by late fall when lake temperatures moderate. Use small spoons and spinners, also micro maraboo jigs.