The Toccoa River below Blue Ridge Dam has been fishing as well as anyone could expect this summer considering the large amounts of consistent rainfall. The TVA has generated longer and more often due to the high water table in the Chattahoochee watershed, which has kept the Toccoa from the usual intense fishing pressure it receives during the spring and summer months. This continuous flow of rainwater has caused the Toccoa to have a slight stain, although visibility is about 90 percent. The rainy season we’ve experienced in Blue Ridge (Fannin County) should be very beneficial as the colder months approach. We may not know just how good it will be until after lake turns over this fall.
Dam to Tammen Park Standard dry-dropper rigs with size 16 or 18 tan Elk Hair Caddis or size 14 or 16 yellow Stimulators and size 16 or 18 bead-head Pheasant Tails or Prince Nymphs fished in the riffle water should be productive. Size 18 to 22 Parachute BWOs, Adams and size 20 Beefus Midges will work for those into fishing small dries. Also, small- to medium-sized hopper patterns on shady banks where grass is present could make the day exciting. For those fishing close to stocked areas, tandem nymph rigs under indicators using size 10 to 16 olive or black Wooly Buggers and size 14 or 16 pink San Juan Worms or Y2k eggs should do the trick. Fish these rigs where you know recent stocking has occurred and also in deep pools and tail outs.
DNR Park at Curtis Switch Size 16 to 20 tan Elk Hair Caddis with a beadless size 18 Pheasant Tail has been a consistent producer along with a size 18 Zebra Midge dropped under a size 16 Griffith’s Gnat when fish are picky. Fish both of these rigs in the riffle water. Size 12 and 14 yellow Stimulators and Chubby Chernobyls have been solid producers as well. If there’s no surface action, try a size 16 Parachute BWO or Sulfur with a size 16 to 18 orange or purple and starling soft hackle. Allow the flies to drift, and let them swing. Hold on for multiple takes. Also, fishing size 18 or 20 emerger patterns under the surface film could prove rewarding.
Horseshoe Bend Park Being subject to intense public pressure, it’s important to remember that the fish are going to see the same flies over and over again. Mix things up a bit, and try some new flies. But fish them the same way as the aforementioned. As for where to fish, stick to the riffles as well as the far banks, which don’t get fished as much as the park-side bank. Personally I like to use size 18 or 20 Sloan’s Mighty May in olive, size 18 and 20 Micro Mays nymphs in brown and olive, size 16 and 18 Flashback Pheasant Tails and size 16 to 18 Rainbow Warriors. I’ll drop these nymphs under size 16 to 20 tan or olive Elk Hair Caddis, size 14 to 16 yellow Stimulators, small Black Beatles or small tan Jim “Jimbo” Mathley Morrish Hoppers.
Provided by: Blue Ridge Fly Fishing
www.blueridgeflyfishing.com
706-258-4080
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