1 hour north of Chattanooga, Tennessee and a 45 minute drive from Blue Ridge, Georgia, the Hiwassee is running high lately. We’ve seen a ton of different hatches coming off the water. Blue winged olives, light tan caddis and October caddis. The isonychias have pretty much gone away at this point. Delayed harvest just started and the river is stocked heavily at this point. Fish are still acclimating to being in a river instead of a tank and the bulk of the fish have not redistributed or moved from their original stocking areas. With the high water, be sure you’re getting down deep. If you’re still looking to get after striper, they can be found hanging out from the stair steps down to 411 bridge.
Flies that are working for trout
October Caddis #18-10
Baetis nymphs #18-12
Squirmy worms
Eggs patterns (orange, yellow and pink)
Coffee and black stonefly nymphs
Olive and black wooly buggers
Flies that are working for striper
Small trout patterns especially rainbow
White and natural streamers
Live Bait
South Holston River, Tennessee
A couple of hours north of Chattanooga, Tennessee tucked into the northeast corner of the state, the South Houston has had steady flows for the last few months and the fish have settled in. Almost all of our big dry fly hatches are gone until the spring but always keep some Blue Winged Olives in the boat with you. Midges and scuds are the go-to flies right now. Nymphs start around size 16 and go smaller from there. Big browns are moving up from the lake so don’t be surprised if you hook into one. Low water in the mornings allows for great wading and high water in the afternoons/evenings is perfect for floating. The flows are making the middle and lower sections difficult to fish though.
Leader suggested: long with 6x
Flies that are working
Beetles
Micro Chubbies
Sulphurs #18-22
Puff Daddy BWOs #18-22
Scooter Scuds #18-24
Midges #16-22
Pheasant Tails #18-22
Toccoa River Watershed, Blue Ridge, Georgia
Upper — Delayed harvest is just around the corner. Starting November 1 – May 1 the upper section of the Toccoa River from Sandy Bottom Canoe access to two miles down river is catch and release only. With monthly stockings and easy wading, this section is a beginner fisherman’s dream.
Leader suggested: 9ft 4x
Flies that are working
Squirmy worms
Eggs patters (orange, yellow and pink)
Coffee and black stonefly nymphs #8-14
Olive and black wooly buggers #8-12
Lower Tailwater — Flowing right out of the Blue Ridge Dam, this section has cold water all year long. In the fall, streamers can produce big rainbows and huge browns looking to eat especially on high water. If you have a boat, this is a great all day float. If you don’t have a boat, book a trip with us and we will take you down the river.
