If I didn’t tell you at the beginning of the article where I was today, you might think I had taken a trip out west. The air was clean, the water cold and clear. The people have a pace – a feel that changes and calms your body chemistry. Forget a bucket list. Do this and you will be smiling all the way home, and it doesn’t require a trip out west.
Habersham County, Georgia, is home to Blackhawk Fly Fishing on the Soque River, and Blackhawk is a lot more than just a beautiful mile and a half of trophy trout water.
When I drove through the gate and saw the sign, my heart jumped and my fishing energy kicked in. First, there was a groomed yard with blueberry bushes, asparagus, sunflowers, corn and much more than a city boy can identify. There was a patio area with a stainless countertop and grill, as well as a Big Green Egg sitting ready to smoke a feast. A bunkhouse and lodging area set the stage for another day in the future for me with friends.
This was a property that had been owned by John Jackson’s family for years, and Abby Jackson has turned it into a destination you need to experience. We were greeted by a guide by the name of Wil Hammond. He was anxious to help us get down to the water, and that was fine with me. We went into the gear shop and found not only the waders, boots, and rods but some Farm to Table Salsa on the shelf. You see, not only are the crops out in the field, they are producing award-winning foods. I had to buy a few to enjoy later. I’m looking forward to the lunch Abby said she was making for us. I know it’s going to be good based on the fact that later that day she was filming a cooking show. My first impression was, “Wow! This is quite a setup. I’d like to share with some family or friends, and I haven’t even gone fishing yet.”
Well, to tell you about the fishing, it would sound like another fish story. So let me tell you it was crazy good. But that was only half of it. The stream has all different types of water and structure: pools, root wads, long runs and all the things that make it a challenge. In the half day, I was there, I only covered maybe a third of the water, and each spot looked better than the next. You can use streamers, nymphs or dries, and all of them will produce. The wading difficulty was moderate, and small stream casting techniques are worth their weight in gold. The fish ran from one pool to another at times and really tested my knots and fighting skills. You have to do this.
When the lunch call came, I didn’t feel shorted. I had so much action that the thought of Abby’s gourmet cooking was the perfect finish for the day.
Sitting on the porch with a tin roof overhead and a 100-year-old log home adjacent to us, I really felt like I was on vacation, or better yet, “living the life.” Adding balance to our life is something we all need. Taking a half or full day at Blackhawk Fly Fishing will put life in its proper place.
I hope you make the time to visit. Watch for future events and make your own plans at: www.blackhawkflyfishingcom.