The Etowah River is still fishing well – we’re on the back end of the striper season right now. We should have fish through the month, but the bite will slowly decline into September. The bass bite is fantastic right now and should stay good through the next few months. If you’re targeting the Spotted bass in the river, I would probably start by fishing topwater bugs imitating frogs, mice, baitfish, and bugs in the morning. By mid day, the popper bite should still be good (listen for cicadas), but I’ll swap to streamers if I come in to a slump. Baitfish patterns imitating shad like Clouser Minnows and Flashtail Whistlers, Sparkle Minnows, crawfish imitations, and bluegill patterns should all produce. I also like have a rod rigged with a sinking line in the boat so I can quickly fish deeper or faster as needed. Switch back to the same tactics for the evening as the morning. For striper, 3-6 inch batifish patterns imitating shad, rigged on an 8 or 9 weight with intermediate or sinking line is your best bet.
The Toccoa Tailwater is going to provide one of the best opportunities for trout fishing this week. Dry fly fishing in the mornings and evenings have been good. Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, and Terrestrials are working, but don’t be afraid to throw some other stuff like Yellow Stimulators. For nymphs, I like having a selection of typical junkie flies in addition to natural patterns like pheasant tails with some form of flash (orange and pink beadheads, etc). We just got in some beetle and hopper patterns and a few new nymphs like the Duracell in stock, and they’ve been crushing it. Check the generation schedule before you get out there. While there is sometimes a level of consistency, generation fluctuates day to day.
The Upper Toccoa is too hot for trout at the moment. Try the tailwater or small creeks up in the mountains.
Small streams high enough in elevation and with canopy should be cool enough for trout. These are a great bet right now as they maintain temperatures most of the day and offer great opportunities for decent dry fly fishing since these fish are more opportunistic than selective. Parachute Adams (12-18), Parachute Madam X, Purple Haze, Yellow Stimulators, and smaller Chubby Cherynoybls fished with a dropper like soft hackles, Pheasant Tails, and stoneflies will all produce when presented properly. Fish upstream and don’t stay in one place for too long.
Call us at the shop if you have any questions – the shop line for Cartersville is (770) 606-1100, and Blue Ridge (706) 946-3044.
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