Fishing For Trout On The Chattahoochee River
66Trout Fishing On The Chattahoochee
The Chattahoochee River is one of the most well known trout fishing destinations in the south east. The Chattahoochee River is located in Georgia and continues all of the way into the gulf. The river begins at Buford dam with Lake Lanier as its source. If you plan on fishing the Chattahoochee, then I recommend that you start at Buford Dam. The dam has a nice park and has many easily accessible areas to go trout fishing. There are many other parks to go to as well. Jones Bridge and Island Ford are some other great places to go trout fishing.
If you are going to go fishing in the Chattahoochee, then you should first obtain the proper equipment if you want to have a successful trip. Waders and a float tube are necessary pieces of equipment if you want to catch a bunch of fish. However, you can still catch fish without them. If you are going to get into the river, then using a pair of wader boots with felt on the bottom should help with traction. For fly fishing, I recommend a pheasant tail nymph, wooly bugger, or San Juan worm. Any of these flies will usually work great. If you are going to fish with a spinning rod, then just about any trout lure out there will do. Rooster tails, spoons, and little rapalas all work great. Power bait, red wigglers, and worms also work well for catching trout on the Chattahoochee River.
Swamp Angel 17 months ago
Buford Dam is only an interruption in the flow of the 'Hooch (as we call it here). It begins in Union County, Georgia, north of Helen. It is below Buford Dam that it turns into a really decent trout fishery.
The 32.5 mile stretch of river from Buford dam to Morgan Falls Dam is your best bet for trout. Settles Bridge, Shakerag Rock (just upstream from McGinnis Ferry), and the stretch from Suwanee Creek to Medlock Bridge are all very productive, but artificial lures are the only bait allowed from GA HWY 20 to Medlock Bridge (GA 141).
I generally stick with spinning. I have the most success with bright colored Panther Martin lures on sunny days, and red or gold bodied Panther Martin lures with gold, red, or black blades on cloudy, overcast days. I have found that a 1/4 ounce spinner is just about the perfect all around size for a successful day's fishing along this stretch of river.
If you're not fond of wading in cold water (48-52F year-round), a canoe, kayak, or small motorized boat such as a Gheenoe or RiverHawk is a fine way to get out on the waters of the 'Hooch. Life jackets MUST be worn, however, from Buford Dam southward to the GA HWY 20 Bridge. South of that, just make sure that you have them in the boat with you.