Georgia Fly Fishing Blog

Posted By Kent Klewein on January 18, 2011

January 2011 Trout and Bass Fishing Report

Toccoa River (Tailwater) Fishing Report

The Toccoa River trout fishing is fishing on par for January so far this month. The past couple weeks water discharges have been low enough to offer fly anglers quite a bit of good wading opportunities. Since then though, as of January 17, 2011, the TVA has increased water flows on the Toccoa River to take in account for all the melting snow. Anything over 350 cfs of water will significantly decrease the amount of water you can safely wade on the river. For now, we recommend doing a float trip down the Toccoa River. Later in the week water flows should again fall down around the 200cfs range, which is perfect for wade fishing.

Water clarity on the Toccoa River is stained but getting slightly better as we move forward with the year. The DNR has stocked several thousand fish since this past Fall, and fishing has been pretty darn good for us. Although this month can be cold, we highly recommend you giving us a call. We’re running a SPECIAL on full day float trips for $300, that’s $75 off normal pricing. Nymph fishing has been the most productive method of getting into good trout numbers. Stripping and swinging small streamers has also been very hot lately as well. BWO’s have been sporadic, but you always have a chance to run into a good hatch. If you do, you’ll have a blast catching trout on top with adult and emerger patterns.

Noontootla Creek Fishing Report

Noontootla Creek is running at average water levels for this time of year. Water clarity is gin clear so make sure you’re wading stealthy and approaching your holes quietly. Try to make your first cast the best presentation possible. This will be your best shot for hooking up with a nice trout. BWO’s have been sporadic on top but you should never visit Noontootla Creek or any North GA trout water this time of year without a few adult and emerger fly patterns in your fly box. You typically want to carry size 18 or smaller.

Nymph fishing the deeper holes has been the key lately for staying in the fish. Make sure you have enough weight on and your strike indicator is set high enough on your leader so your flies can get down to the trout eye level. For bigger fish try running a big stonefly with an attractor pattern off the back. If that doesn’t seem to work and you know your rig is set correctly and your making good presentations, try downsizing your fly patterns and changing your flies until you get some interest from the fish.

You always have the opportunity for hooking into a trophy fish stripping streamers. However, make sure your observing the trout’s reaction while fishing a streamer to see if they like it (getting chases) or if they’re getting spooked from the noise of the heavy fly hitting the water. Fishing pressure is low and this month tends to be a great tim to head up and fish on Noontootla Creek public water or on our private section at Noontootla Creek Farms. For more information about our guided fly fishing trips please click on our TRIP page. Also check out our fly fishing blog for more great information and photos.

North GA Lake Fishing Reports

Full Day Lake Trip Special – $300, that’s $75 off. Call us to book your trip.

If you’re willing to layer up and get out on one of our North GA, TN or NC mountain lakes, chances are you’re going to get into some really nice bass. The Float N’ Fly bass bite is really hot right now on most of our lakes. Following that up with a drop-shot rig, shakey head jig or tube has been our best bet for hooking into good numbers of bass. Be ready to finesse fish though with your tackle and gear. Downsizing your tackle will increase the number of bites you’ll receive throughout the day. Since you’ll be generally presenting your lures with a slower retreive this time of year, you need to understand that bass really have a long time to observe you lure before deciding to eat or not. Go light or go home.

Pay attention to your electronics as well. Being able to locate bait and the bass is super important for staying in the action. Don’t be afraid to spend a little time scouting with your electronics in the morning so you can find some productive water. When you do find the productive water, settle in and work the area thoroughly. This time of year the bass can be really schooled up and when you find them you can really catch good numbers of bass.

Carters Lake, Parksville Lake, Lake Hiawassee, Lake Burton, Lake Nottely and Lake Lanier are all fishing very well right now. For more information on our guided bass fishing trips please scroll to the top of our website and click on our TRIPS page for all the details.

Keep it Reel,

Categories: Fly Fishing
Tags: georgia trout and bass fishing report, Kent Klewein, north ga fishing report, Reel Job Fishing