The Etowah River has been a little off color from the rains this past week but should be back to normal this weekend. If you’re looking to bass fish, the popper bite should be good to great – I would probably throw an Olive or Chartreuse Boogle Bug first and then keep some Yellow and White Boogles on hand. Streamer fishing should also be very good. Big critter patterns imitating crawfish and sculpins (Craw and Tan colored Dungeons, TeQueely, Cohen’s Jiggy Craw, etc.) will work. The old standby’s imitating shad should also produce: Clouser Minnows, any Henry Cowen Pattern, Decievers, etc. With the Stripers in the river, I like to bass fish with bigger rods (7/8 weight) when I’m streamer fishing with baitfish patterns just in case I stumble into something bigger than I expected. It’s also time to break out those tropical core lines – cold water lines will turn into a sticky mess this time of year.
Striper Fishing should be getting good in the river. Try fishing bigger shad patterns: Cruiser Shad, Major Mullet/Anchovy, Big Baitfish Deceivers, Flashfire Mushies, Cowen’s Baitfish, etc. I like to have a couple rods on hand so I can quickly change the depth that I’m fishing. Two 8 or 9 weights rigged with a sinking and intermediate line cover most of the water column. Try tropical core lines like Scientific Angler’s Sink 30 Warm and Tropical Titan Intermediate. If you’ve never fished for these landlocked beasts and want to give it a try, give us a call at the shop. Our guiding season on the Etowah is getting fired up and we’re filling up the calendar.
Bassapalooza is this weekend! This year we have 25 teams participating and have changed up the layout – we’re going to have the captains meeting Friday the 14th as well as live music, camping, and food. We’re going to have some great prizes for the winners this year as well. If you’re fishing the tournament this year and need more details regarding the when, where, and how, call the Cartersville shop and we’ll get you up to speed.
The Toccoa Tailwater is regularly releasing water from 5AM-11AM/3PM-11PM. The TVA should give us break soon as the water levels upstream fall. Fish early mornings and late evenings – water temps midday have made for tough fishing unless you beat the early bird or fish late. Pat’s Rubber Legs, Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, and Squirmy Worms have been producing.
The Delayed Harvest is flowing of 590cfs this morning. This is a relief from the rain this past week – the flows peaked out in the 1800’s; the DH might still be slightly stained but is clearing. 590cfs is an awesome level to float and slightly stained water will typically mean less picky trout. Looking ahead, it is supposed to be cooler this weekend and the water should continue to drop without rain. If you are getting out this weekend, the DH would be a good option. Same recommendations as the Tailwater. I would also have a few streamers with me.
Smaller Mountain Streams would be a good place to go this weekend. Weekly reports say that the water was pretty high at the start of the week, but will be pretty clear by the weekend. Places like Rock Creek and Coopers Creek would be a great place to try out. If the water is still slightly high and stained, you can probably get away with a thicker leader (3x-4x) and some “dirtier flies” (Squirmy Worms, Y2K Egg Patterns). If the water is low and clear, I would fish lighter leaders (4x-5x-6x) and more natural imitations (Stoneflies, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, etc.).
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