Toccoa River 4th Of July Weekend

Well, its been a long weekend on the Toccoa River. Floated the upper section along with a Tail-water float on Sunday. The upper river is still pretty cool considering how hot it has been and the lack of rainfall. But, water temps were still in the middle ranges of 60dgs. fishing on Saturday on the upper river was a complete washout. If anybody happened to drive out Aska Rd, Newport Rd or Dial Rd knows what I am talking about. But, you really can't expect solitude on a huge holiday weekend. I actually enjoy it somewhat. Sure it messes up the fishing, but it helps show others that there are other methods to fish for trout besides wading public access points. The upper section is producing just about all species of aquatic game fish. The past few trips I've floated down the upper we have caught Shoal Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Bream and Perch along with Trout. The lake draw-down has forced fish way upstream looking from cool water and space to roam. Funny thing is that the non-trout species fish are taking our trout flies both dry and nymphs. Streamers are also effective as one would expect on Bass Species. Its pot luck fishing when your strike indicator sinks and you set the hook only to speculate at what took the fly.
The tail-water was fishing well this past friday according to friend and fellow guide Brad Wayne. Trout were taking terrestrial patterns pretty readily which is awesome coming from a guy who makes a living on the Tail-water fishing small nymph and midge patterns. Floated Sunday from the Blue Ridge Dam down to Hogback ridge RR Trestle area. Like the past few trips I've had on the river, once the sun gets up high and the air temps rise, the fishing dies off until late in the evening.

I'm getting on the water as early as 6:30am in order to beat the heat and get as much time on the water as possible until it gets hot. So far it is working pretty well. Sundays float was not as productive as I would have liked, but we caught fish and pulled few large ones out to boot!

Contact me Jake Darling or John Cross in Helen (706-878-3083) for more info and possibly setting up a float trip. 1/2 day floats are quite a bargain at $275.00 for two rods. Anybody who has floated with me before knows that my 1/2 day trips generally turn into 3/4 day trips. My philosophy is this; If the fish are biting, were staying until they stop. If the fish aren't biting; were staying until they start.

Later

J Byrd