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Blue Ridge and Fannin County are famous for trout, so let’s take a look at some of the hot spots. Before we begin, you should be aware that Georgia requires a trout stamp in addition to the basic freshwater fishing license. (The most common interpretation of the exemption for resident seniors is that seniors who fish free for other species in Georgia do not need to buy a trout stamp.) TheGeorgia DNR has a very helpful free map of trout streams in Georgia. You should be aware that certain streams have special regulations, and that while some streams are open year-round, the mouths of their tributary creeks are subject to seasonal closure. If you are fishing the tailrace of the dam, you must be aware of the release schedule from the dam (see below for instructions). Please also be aware that in our part of the world, folks take their property rights very seriously, and trespassing is ill advised. Here in the mountains, at least when it comes to trespassing, it’s definitely not true that “it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Asking nicely will open many doors.

The river below the dam – the tailrace – is considered the best trout stream in Georgia. The entire river is open year-round, except for the mouths of the tributary creeks. (To interpret the directions below, remember that the Toccoa River flows north, into the Tennessee River system.) The tailrace is heavily stocked, primarily with rainbows, but there are also some wild trout in this portion of the river. In a drought year, such as we had in 2007, the river receives even more than its normal heavy allocation of trout, because the smaller streams are too low and warm to support successful stocking. Trout are regularly stocked at Tammin Park (just below the dam off Hwy 515), at Curtis Switch (midway between the dam and the Tennessee line off Hwy 60 north), and at Horseshoe Bend Park (near the Tennessee line off the River Road). These are also the major access points to the tailrace, which flows mostly through private land. The river probably receives the most fish at Tammin Park, so that is probably the best place to introduce your kids to trout fishing or to plan a family outing. The river also receives the most fishing pressure here, but I regularly see people taking big stringers of good fish from the river at Tammin Park, particularly if they are fishing with bait.

Because of the limited access, drift fishing is a very productive strategy on the tailrace. It is possible to put a drift boat in at the public access just below the dam (which unfortunately does not feature a boat ramp), but you should scout your takeout point first to determine feasibility. Most people floating in tubes put in at Tammin Park. The usual take-out point for them is Curtis Switch, although Horseshoe Bend Park can also be used for a longer day’s fishing. The commercial guides who drift the river regularly report 100 fish days. The river is considered best on a falling “tide,” or a water level that is falling after release from the dam is over. The river is considered more productive when it is slightly stained. It cannot be productively fished when water is being released from the dam.

Another reason the tailrace is so productive is that the water that is released comes from the bottom of the dam and is uniformly cold throughout the summer. If you are wading the tailrace near the dam, you should be prepared to experience water temperatures in the 50s. The water that is released from the dam is actually oxygenated on release, to improve the fishery. This part of the river is known for big trout, no doubt aided by the many cabin owners on the river who enjoy feeding the fish. I’ve stood on more than a few decks with people throwing pellets into the river, and it’s incredible how many foot-long trout instantly appear to take advantage of the opportunity.

To ensure your safety, you must know the release schedule for the dam. There is a warning system planned, but it is not operational yet and probably will not provide full coverage. If you are wading the river, you must be prepared to move immediately if the water level starts to rise. This is no joke. The water comes up very fast. Check the release schedule on the TVA website, or call 800.238.2264, then press number 4, then the number for Lake Blue Ridge, which is 23.

It’s worth remembering that the tailrace is the best trip saver in the event of heavy rain, as the upper parts of the tailrace never become stained with runoff.

The river above the dam in considered fair to good for trout. The advantage to fishing this part of the river is the beautiful scenery. It’s more of a natural river, with beautiful big rocks, and – unlike many comparable streams  – there is plenty of room to make the long casts. Access is also better, as much of the upper river flows through national forest land. Most of the undeveloped land on the far side of the river from Aska Road is national forest. The Sandy Bottoms Canoe Takeout is a good place to start exploring the river (cross the Shallowford Bridge, follow the road around to the right past the cabins, and turn right at the fork at the top of the hill). Another good starting point is the Deep Hole Campground on Hwy 60 South. There are also some places where the river can be accessed just upstream of Dial.

While most anglers wade this part of the river, it can be floated in a canoe, depending on the water level. Paddlers usually put in either at Deep Hole or just upstream of Dial. The river is run mostly on the right from Dial to the Shallowford Bridge. Those floating the river from Deep Hole usually take out at Sandy Bottoms. Those starting upstream of Dial usually take out on forest service land just before the island that sits in the river above Shallowford Bridge - it’s tough to get a canoe through there without taking on water – but you can also take out a little downstream from the Shallowford Bridge, where Aska Road comes down to a big bend in the river. (If you’re doing that, watch out for the drop to the right of the pool, the big rock just to the right of the drop – ideal for head banging - and the suck below the drop. One of my friends watched eleven out of twelve Adventure Racers wipe out on the drop this year, and one team got their canoe stuck in the suck.) When planning to fish the upper Toccoa, be aware that people floating the river in tubes from the Toccoa River Campground on Aska Road can affect fishing between the campground and the Shallowford Bridge, particularly on nice Saturdays.

Fightingtown Creek is justly famous for big trout, but public access is extremely limited, and in most cases access needs to be negotiated. There is some public access to the upper reaches on forest service land off Cashes Valley Road, but most of the creek flows through private land. The creek comes off Flathead Mountain in the Cohutta Wilderness Area and flows through most of Fannin County before it joins the river in McCaysville/Copperhill.

Hemptown Creek has some very good fish, particularly north of Hwy 515, where the creek picks up the runoff from Pittman Mountain and increases greatly in size. Access is primarily from the bridge crossings.

Noontoola Creek is a beautiful, gravel-bottomed stream that has special regulations. The triangle between Aska Road and Newport Road is mostly public land (access it from the bridge over Aska Road and work upstream or downstream to the river). Further upstream, in the Blue Ridge WMA, it is home to native trout and – during spawning season – to some big trout.

In the Cohutta Wilderness Area, the Jacks River is a favored venue for native rainbows and browns, although it requires a significant hike-in. The usual access point to the Jacks from Blue Ridge is at Dally Gap (Hwy 5 north to Old Hwy 2 to Watson Gap, then right, along the forest service road to the gap). It is about two miles from Dally Gap to the river, but the fishing can be rewarding. If you have a friend who can give you access to the Consauga Creek near the Jones Settlement, you are in special luck. Again, and especially here, do not trespass.

All of the river tributaries and most of the smaller streams that come out of the Cohutta Wilderness areas also hold trout. Fishing pressure in our mountains is very light, and there are plenty of opportunities to work long stream stretches without competition from other anglers. So if you like a little solitude in your outdoor experience, consult the DNR map and try some of the smaller venues. You may just find your own special place to contemplate the beauty of our native trout.And yes there are a lot of trout strems in Murphy,and Cherokee,Clay Counties.

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