Location: - Toccoa River -*Delayed Harvest Section*- Blue Ridge, GA
Date - 12/27/06 - 08:30am - 4:20pm
Conditions: Partly cloudy to sunny. Air: 34-52 degrees Water: 42. slightly stained.
Excellent day on the new DH section of the Toccoa. A cold weather float last Wednesday was a much needed break from the holiday rush. While on vacation from the office, we decided to get away and scout out the new dealyed harvest waters just southeast of Blue Ridge. The morning started out very cold and the aluminum frames of our pontoons were like hanlding ice as we unloaded them from the trailer but soon the chore of gearing up and walking the boats to the river had warmed us. Starting just upstream of the Sandy Bottom canoe launch we rowed upstream and prepared for the day.
This water is excellent. With much of the water being in the range of medium to difficult wading, a pontoon is the way to go. There is just so much water to cover, wading would limit you to only a handful of the many fish holding pockets and runs. Fishing deep with size 16-18 bead head nymphs and dropping a size 20-22 bead head off the back seemed enough to get the fly down. Adding a split shot or 2 would helpo in the fast currents. This proved effective for bringing to hand many fish in the 10-14 inch range and a few 14 and up going as big as 18. The bite was varied from soft and subtle to the big boy and his cousin, who escaped with 2 flies I might add, with slashing crashing stikes. Patients and a sharp eye will pay off on the deeper holes. What you think is a rock will often turn out to be a fish. I have read this tip many times from those more experienced than I and it has paid off in practice. Fish the FOAM!!!! See those little foam bubbles floating in little foam ribbons down the river? Look closley the next time you approach a likely run. Watch for these foam lines. The foam carries lots of little goodies for the fish and often times drifting your fly along these seems will pay off. This tip applies to any river you fish.The river is heavily stocked and although the fishing pressure will increase greatly as the weather warms do not let that turn you off a look at this stream. For more infomation on this area including maps and directions, check out Unicoi Outfitters http://www.unicoioutfitters.com
Tight lines and good luck !!
Jason
