By Capt. Craig Price
I don’t call myself a fly fisherman but I know enough about it to recognize world-class fly fishing when I see it. An idyllic mountain setting, genuine southern hospitality, and BIG trout fits the bill in my book.
Bobby and Ann Still operate GA Trophy Trout Fly Fishing in The Valley at Suches, which is adjacent to the Chattahoochee National Forest in Union County, GA. At about 3000 feet elevation, Suches is known as the Valley Above the Clouds.
At the turn of the century the Still’s and several friends acquired properties along 2 miles of the Toccoa River in the Suches valley. Bobby had a vision for about a half mile stretch of the river that flows through his parcel. His goal was to turn it into a premier trophy trout fly fishing destination.
Still has put many years of planning, hard work, and thoughtful stewardship into his fishing grounds, waters, and the inhabitants. His continuing efforts have resulted in a stunning, highly fish-able setting for cold water fly fishing.
These waters support generous numbers of Kamloops strain rainbow, brown, and brook trout from a few inches long too well over 30 inches. Most of these fish spawn naturally in the river.
A Valley at Suches guided fishing tour includes all tackle, waders and boots, plus liquid refreshments and lunch. This convenience suited us well, but anglers can arrange to bring their own gear and flies. It’s a strictly catch and release fishery.
Upon arrival, Bobby spent 15-20 minutes watching Andy Smith of Denver and I cast in order to tailor his instruction to our specific needs. It didn’t take him long to see I’d need extra attention. After limbering up and donning our wading gear, it was time to hit the river.
We welded 8.5-9 ft. long, 5 weight rods and reels spooled with forward weighted floating line and 3, 4 or 5X leaders and tippets. The water quality was slightly dingy after recent rain, in the mid 50F range. The sky was overcast with periods of bright sun in the afternoon and the wind was calm.
Still started us out with emergent patterns that duplicate aquatic insects that emerge from their larval stage on the river bottom than rise to the surface where they become adult flies of various species. Corks serving as strike indicators plus split shot weights were used to facilitate the flies’ drifts in various current and depth.
Andy quickly hooked and released a rainbow in the 20” range as Bobby took me upstream to see what I could do. After missing a few strikes, unfortunately a recurring theme for me throughout the day, I caught a feisty 18” rainbow. Then I hooked into a submarine that had me holding my breath as it made numerous runs and laps around the pool until Bobby could net it. It was a 28” rainbow that Still estimated at 12 lbs., easily the biggest trout I’ve ever caught.
After calming down from the adrenaline rush, we continued to explore different sections of the river while catching numerous trout from 6 to 20”. After a relaxing homemade lunch, the highlights of the afternoon were Andy’s brown trout well over 20” long, plus the largest brook trout I’ve ever seen, much less caught – easily a 16 incher.
In the end, we were completely satisfied with the fishing, setting, and esprit de corps with Bobby. Andy and I agreed we’ll be back there someday, but go see for yourself and get ready to be amazed. Fish On!