The Etowah River is fishing well. Currently, the river below Allatoona Dam is flowing at 1520 cFs. This is subject to change based on rain and lake level, so keep an eye out for any change before you head out. For Spotted Bass, I would fish a 7 or 8 weight fly rod with either a floating line with a very long leader, or a full sinking line. Try smallish baitfish patterns like Clouser Minnows, white Jawbreakers, and Lunch $’s, and crawfish patterns like Galloup’s Nancy Ps. We’ve also got boogle bugs up to date on the webstore if the bass are looking up.
For Striper, break out the 9’s and 10’s this year – I fish a full sinking or intermediate tip fly line with either a Rio 20-30lb Striper leader or I build my own leaders with Scientific Angler Shock Fluorocarbon (40, 30, 20lb). For fly patterns, general baitfish patterns should work.
Our Striper and Bass guide calendar is nearly full for June, so call us as soon as possible to book a trip! (706) 946-3044
The Toccoa Tailwater has been very crowded on weekends, but don’t let that deter you! I’m fishing dry-dropper rigs with beetle patterns and big dries (Chubby Cherynobyls, Carnage Hoppers, Foam PMX’s) and trailing behind a large stonefly nymph (8-10 golden stones and large size 6 black stoneflies especially) like Pat’s Rubber Legs or Double Bead Stones. You can also fish smaller sulphur nymph imitations or caddis patterns like Holy Grails, either directly below the dry or under the larger stonefly nymph. For attractor patterns, it’s always hard to beat a size 16-18 Rainbow Warrior or El Diablo. I’m fishing these rigs with either a 7.5ft or 9ft 4x Nylon Leader like Rio’s Powerflex and using 4-5x fluorocarbon tippet to the dropper flies. Keep an eye out for Sulphurs, Light Cahills, and Caddis, and be ready to change rigs accordingly.
Small Streams: Right now, it’s hard to beat a good pair of wet wading shoes, a cup full of yellow dry flies, and a short 3 weight on these mountain streams. I like rigging a single yellow stimulator or parachute x with a small pheasant tail soft hackle. If you want to chase some relatively larger stream trout, take some small chubby cherynobyls or larger beetle patterns with a small pat’s rubber legs dropped off the back. Stay back off of pools, bring a couple spools of 5x and 6x just in case the trout get finicky, and don’t wear bright colors! If you keep an eye on tail outs of bigger pools before you step in them, you may even get some sight fishing opportunities! If the rain pushes a little more water in these streams, you can bring some gear to high stick heavy nymphs in fast runs before the water falls out.
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