Planning an upcoming trip to Atlanta? Don’t miss out on one of the best urban trout fisheries in the nation.
The Chattahoochee River tailrace, which flows clear and cold out of Buford Dam and Lake Lanier, is home to wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout that should be the envy of urban dwellers across the country. There are 33 miles of tailwater trout fishing south of the dam.
Farther south on the river, below Morgan Falls Dam, the state maintains one of its most successful delayed-harvest trout fishing programs. The delayed harvest is catch-and-release only until May 14, when opens under normal trout regulations.
On the upper tailrace, expect a steady bite from smaller 9- to 12-inch browns and rainbows, with the occasional large brown trout thrown in. Fly fishermen find success with standard nymphs, streamers and terrestrials, and hatches of midges and mayflies make for good dry fly fishing when conditions are right. Spin fishermen do well on small Rapalas, assorted inline spinners and live bait.
On the delayed-harvest, regulations call for single-hook, artificial-only until the river opens under normal regulations, so its mostly fly fishermen. This stretch of river is heavily stocked, so junk flies like egg patterns and flashy streamers and nymphs are a good option. After May 14, standard spin-fishing techniques can produce quick limits.
Be sure to check the regulations book before you fish. Certain sections have different rules. Or just hire a guide. A drift boat is the best way to access water anyway.