The Etowah River is currently generating around the clock until further notice, BUT Lake Allatoona is finally below full pool (-1.47 Feet). As long as we don’t have another torrential downpour upstream, the river may be fish-able sooner than later. Watch for water temperatures in the high 50’s-low 60’s for the bass bite to turn on. Try streamers that imitate baitfish such as sparkle minnows, Clouser minnows, kreelex, lunch money, and bushwackers as well as crawfish patterns in rust and tan such as sex dungeons and jawbreakers. Having a couple rods rigged up with both floating and sinking lines is paramount this time of year as conditions and temperatures change throughout the day. Being able to adjust depth quickly can make or break a day.
The Blue Ridge Area Report courtesy of our outfitting partner, Fly Fishing North Georgia.
The Toccoa Tailwater has periodically been fishable for the past few days. Recently, TVA decided to generate from around 5:00am-1:00pm and again from 6:00pm to Midnight. This has been a nice break from the 24 hour generation they have been doing for the past few weeks. Looking towards the weekend, it is predicted the TVA will generate on the same schedule; however, you will not know for sure until the day before by 5:00pm. If you do decide to get out this weekend, Deeper Flies are still going to be the most effective thing out there. Squirmy Worms, Y2K Egg Patterns, Stonefly Patterns (Pat’s Rubber Legs and Tungstones), Tungsten Nymphs (BH Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Hare’s Ear, and El Diablo’s are some of my favorites). Don’t be afraid to add some weight! Overall, it’s predicted to be a nice weekend, so there should be some time to get on the water and fish.
The Delayed Harvest section of the Toccoa is still at a high level. As of Wednesday, it was registering at 998cfs. The DH has finally dropped below 1000cfs; however, now it is starting to slowly drop. This week it is dropping at an average rate of 20cfs a day. I have seen some wade fisherman brave enough to try wading the water, but they were confined to the banks since that was about the only place you could comfortably stand and fish. Looking ahead the rain is predicted to continue dropping; however, it’s likely it will be a few more weeks before it will be wadable. If you do decide to get out there and fish, make sure you adhere to the special regulations during this time. On the DH, it is all Catch-and-Release, Single Hooks, and Artificial Lures only. You’ll want to make sure you have some weight with you. Either some heavy flies, split shot, or a combination of the two. When I was on the DH a few days ago, the fish were super deep and eating things like mop flies and Squirmy Worms.
Smaller Mountain Streams would be a good place to go this weekend. Weekly reports say that the water is still fairly swift; however, the Hatchery has recently stocked Rock Creek and Coopers Creek. These would be good options if you decide to get out this weekend. You’ll want to have some split shot and heavier flies, but throw the same flies that were recommended on the Tailwater and DH. Overall, it should be a fairly decent weekend to get out if you are looking to get on some fish!
Striper and Bass fishing is on the horizon! We’ve been getting ready in the shop – come by and test drive some gear and check out some flies for the upcoming months. We also are selling tickets in both locations to our Fly Fishing Film Tour viewing on Thursday, April 18th. Tickets are $15 in the shop – we have a limited number of tickets and almost always sell out before the 18th, so get em while they’re hot! The pre-party will start at the Last Cast Bar in our Cartersville location at 5 PM. At 6PM, we’ll shut the doors and give everyone 30 minutes to eat dinner and then meet up at the venue across the street, The City Cellar and Loft, at 6:30PM. There is a bar in the space. This is by far one our favorite events of the year.
Check the generation schedule before you plan your trip! We do not recommend that you float the Etowah if Allatoona dam is releasing water. We do not recommend wading the Toccoa if the TVA is releasing water. Check the release schedules and be safe!
Toccoa River Delayed Harvest flows
Allatoona Dam Release Schedule- (706) 334-7213