October's big blow ... The leaves are gone!

11-02-20 ... Reported by Bob Borgwat/ReelAnglingAdventures.com

(Catch some of my recent pix on the Fishing Gallery page)

With the election looming, I'm going fishing. Right now. A romp on a trout stream today delivers a much needed break from the load of crap flowing across the political horizon, as our Presidential  candidates wind up for the final leg of the election season. 'Nuff said.

I'm curious to see if the Big Blow -- Tropical Storm Zeta, the night of Oct. 28 -- laid waste to the trout streams in the upper Toccoa River watershed. Have fallen trees blocked any roads? Are new laydowns stretched across my favorite runs? Are the number of leaves in the water going to try my patience? 

In any case, the water temperatures have fallen into the high 50s and the trout should be eager to eat. We'll see. My exploratory trip today will take me into the deep reaches of Coopers Creek, across a couple of unnamed brookie streams, and stumbling upstream across the ledges and plunges of Noontootla Creek. I'll report out afterward. 

Meanwhile the upper Toccoa River flows heavy -- some 750 cfs (Dial gauge) today, but still falling after the gauge revealed the river's anger last Thursday at 8,200 cfs. Flood water topped the Toccoa's banks in many places that day as tables, chairs, propane bottles, decks, trees, gnomes and other debris were swept downstream from yards and woodlands. You can see it all in the wall of junk pinned to the bottom of Vanzandt Bridge at Dial and Newport roads. 

Fishing on the Toccoa is likely spotty following that deluge. The Sandy Bottom stretch 

-- the delayed-harvest section -- sees its first stocking this morning, as the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shares its efforts with a cadre of volunteers (BRMTU members among the ranks) who will carry bucketfuls of trout beyond the reach of the stocking truck's sluice. 

Give it a few days. The weather this week looks beautiful, and those rubber-headed hatchery trout will acclimate to their new surroundings. They'll also spread out along this mile-long reach of deep pools, granite-lined runs and tumbling shoals. Artificials lures/flies only, with single hooks. Cast your favorites from the breaks in the shoreline brush. Look for the "soft" water in the otherwise swift flows. Spoons, spinners, streamers and large nymphs should all find fish. 

When you do strike out, show the river your respect. Wading is especially tough at Sandy Bottom whenever the Dial gauge reads 300 cfs or more. If you float in a tube or personal pontoon, wear a PFD. Drift boats are a fine choice, but you'll need to float about 4 miles downstream from the Dial Road push-in before you reach the DH section. Fish it all the way down. Wild trout and summertime holdovers are likely frisky, but few until late winter when the stockers have taken time to move upriver.

A couple more observations:

• The Toccoa tailwater (at Blue Ride Dam) -- Looks like the tailwater was stocked last week (Oct. 26), but I can't say anything about the water beyond the upper 2 miles, from Tammen Park to the railroad trestle. Good one day, terrible the next ... perhaps, a sign of lake turnover, which is now behind us and water quality should be considerably improved. Nymphing should be the ticket -- caddis pupae patterns and midges seem right to me. Might see some blue-winged olives from time to time. Streamers do their fair share -- black/olive Buggers, and hard-tackle anglers will do well with small spoons. 
• The Hiwassee River at Reliance, TN -- My home away from home, as I move into my 15th season of guiding here. Smallmouths  entertained me and my clients since August, but the trout are back on tap in the DH water, from the top to the Reliance trestle, and falling water temps have finally brought back the bite with stocked and holdover browns and rainbows (as in the photo at the top of this report). Stumble upon a caddis hatch or a surface party of blue-winged olives, and the dry-fly fishing can be fun. Otherwise, deep-water nymphing with standard patterns -- Prince, Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, and various caddis pupae will outfish the streamers. Hard-tackle anglers (1/4-ounce spoons/spinners and small crankbaits) also can find the Hiwassee especially fun now through winter.
• Fires Creek (NC) DH -- Check it out between rainstorms. This could be the prettiest 2 miles of trout stream in the area, located just outside Hayesville, NC. Nymphing now rules here, as water temps are in the mid-50s and falling. Stocked and wild browns and rainbows -- some brookies, too --  keep the catch-and-release action brisk in a stream that challenges anglers with every step. A trail leads through this gorge, crossing the stream five or six times, sometimes calling for a wading staff to help keep you vertical. A big fish will surprise you from time to time.

11-03-20 Reported by Sam Miller

I waded the very gentle parts of the Toccoa DH. Only caught four small ones. They stocked a few nice bows and a few browns on Nov. 2. I did not see any of them on Tuesday. Water should be low enough later this week to wade.

By Bob Borgwat/Reel Angling Adventures

It seems the rain started on New Year's Day and hasn't stopped! Actually, the rain started last November. I know ... my barn project, which is intended to house two fishing boats and an RV, has been on hold since cutting the building site several months ago. Rain has kept the site in a perpetual state of a muddy mess. 

Rain also has most of the area streams high and muddy much of the time since the first of the year. If you've been on the water, count yourself lucky. I haven't seen a fishing client, nor have I stretched a line myself, since early  December.

With that said, there's nothing left to say. Stay dry. Stay warm. Tie some flies. Read some Gierach. And make a plan for when the rain stops and the river and stream levels come down to fishable levels. 

Hook 'em! 

Bwana Bob

GO DEEP! GO SLOW!

By Cohutta Fishing Company

You hardcore guys getting out there on the waters this winter probably already know this, but for those of us "sometimers" here's a tip -- one you can put to use next month when BRMTU heads off on it's next FISHING DAYZ outing on the delayed harvest stretch of the Nantahala River (NC). 

A pheasant tail pattern armed with  a small dropper, like a zebra midge, can be deadly this time of year. Run the rig deep, with the dropper tied onto the crook of the hook with 18-24 inches of tippet. The pheasant tail mimics  many different types of bugs  among a trout's favorites, and the midge is always present in wintertime.

Of course, "meat flies" like the peach-colored Y2K or a pink San Juan Worm seem to always produce with recent stockers. And it's really hard for wintertime trout to resist a "rubber leg" down on the bottom. Remember, get deep, go slow and look for days with sudden temperature rises of 10-20 degrees, reaching above 40.

by Bob Borgwat/ReelAnglingAdventures.com

FALL CHILL DRIVES  FISHING 

ON LOCAL LAKES, STREAMS AND RIVERS

TOCCOA RIVER TAILWATER (BLUE RIDGE DAM): Water quality at the Blue Ridge Dam discharge was in pretty bad shape this month. Lake turnover was spilling stained, warm water, according to reports from BRMTU members who live on the riverway.  Fishing was reported to be slow in water temps of about 70 degrees during non-generation periods. The best action was found in the area of Tammen Park following stockings of rainbow and brown trout. Stocking is not done on a regular basis in fall and winter, but anglers should expect dumping of trout ahead of the holidays, as the GDNR/USFWS respond to increased numbers of anglers at Thanksgiving and Christmastime. 

Bait-fishing is best with prepared dough baits, such as Berkley Power Bait. Small spoons, spinners and jigs should turn some fish heads for spinning-tackle anglers. Top fly patterns include Wooly Buggers and Sculpins for stripping; Rubberlegs, Prince and Hare's Ear nymphs under the surface; and small Blue Winged Olives and midge patterns on the surface and in the film. 

HEADWATERS: Across small local trout streams -- places like Coopers Creek, Noontootla Creek, Fightingtown Creek and their tributaries -- fly-fishing centers on terrestrial patterns until the leaves fall. Falling temperatures will kill off the remaining beetles, moths, bees and caterpillars. Many will fall into these streams and offer up a mouthful of tastiness for the rainbows, browns and brookies of these high-elevation waters. 

Not likely to see many stocked fish this time of year, but unscheduled trout stockings can take place on Coopers Creek, Rock Creek and Big Creek, and stockings are often made just ahead of Thanksgiving in response to holiday anglers. Whether chasing the stocking truck or trekking along a wild-trout stream, fly-fishermen do well now with terrestrial patterns. Larger flies on larger waters; smaller flies on smaller waters. In either case, the flies represent a big bite for fish with appetites that are responding to falling water temperatures. Once the big bugs are gone, the trout in the small streams won't have much to eat beyond the various nymphs and pupae under the surface. 

UPPER TOCCOA RIVER: Between rain events, the upper Toccoa will clear and fall, leading  the way for wading and floating anglers to tap into the stocked rainbows that survived the high fishing pressure of spring and summer. Expect a bump in their numbers when stockings occur around Thanksgiving, but you can expect increased fishing pressure at the same time at the upper river's few public access sites. 

A better approach is to float the river when and where you can. Respect private property and warning signs, and put safety first. Water flows will fluctuate greatly as rain comes and goes across the watershed. Wade thoughtfully and float-fish when water levels allow. Large terrestrials (dry flies), large nymphs and streamers fool the Toccoa's fall trout of all sizes. Small spoons and spinners in 1/8-ounce sizes can turn tricks for spin-fishermen, especially those in gold/yellow patterns. Present any of these along the riffles, ledges and runs where hungry fish are most likely to hold. Don't be surprised to come up with a smallmouth or two along the way.

TOCCOA RIVER DELAYED HARVEST (Sandy Bottom to near Shallowford Bridge):

The first of monthly stockings took place Nov. 1 in the "delayed harvest" section of the upper Toccoa River. Access is best along Old Dial Road in southeast Fannin County. Harmon Smith organized this month's Fishing Dayz outing on the Toccoa DH, where member Bub Murrah reported the fishing was good, with  some nice fish among those taking  small streamers. Fly-fishermen also do well with San Juan Worms, Y2Ks and other colorful patterns that often turn the trick on stocked trout. Lure fishing anywhere you find stocked trout is often best with flashy ,1/8-ounce Phoebe/Kastmaster spoons;  white/black/yellow, 1/16-ounce Rooster Tail/Mepps/Panther Martin spinners; and pink/red//yellow/white Trout Magnet jigs.

The Toccoa DH typically fishes better as winter progresses. Watch the TVA's Dial gauge for the river's water level. Safe wading of the DH section begins at 300 cfs or less and is much better and safer when below 200 cfs. Otherwise, float tubes, kayaks and small, inflatable drift boats make for good access.

HIWASSEE RIVER (RELIANCE, TN): Trout stocking resumed in late October when water temperature of the  tailwater below Apalachia Powerhouse fell below 68 degrees. Last week, water temp in the upper 4 miles of the tailwater ran at 64 degrees. Stockings take place at a few sites from the powerhouse boat ramp to Big Bend.  As a result, fishing that stretch has been good, with the best action between the powerhouse ramp and Towee Creek. But high river flows have kept angler numbers low, with most action limited to those who float-fish. A spill of 1700 cfs over the dam has combined with one generator (1800 cfs) at the powerhouse to build water levels about 1000 cfs higher than the typical two-generator flow common this time of year. 

A couple guided float trips by RAA during the week of Nov.  3 produced 10-15 fish each trip -- browns and rainbows -- through the upper 2 miles. Just a couple fish were caught downstream from Towee Creek, and no trout were caught downstream from the Stairsteps shoal. Olive/flash Wooly Buggers turned the trick with fly rods; Phoebe spoons and Joe's Flies ripped some lips for the spinning-tackle anglers. 

BLUE RIDGE/NOTTELY LAKES  -- No reports.

UPPER TOCCOA RIVER -- submitted by Bob Borgwat, 08-23-19

Little, if any, trout fishing is ongoing on the upper Toccoa River. Water temps are too high for trout to be active, and the regular hatchery stockings on the riverway were concluded shortly after July 4.  Smallmouths, rock bass and redeye bass are the most likely catches until mid-October. Work small crankbaits, jigs and spoons with spinning tackle. Streamers can take fish for fly-fishermen. Work all the presentations in deep pockets and lanes around shoals.

COOPERS CREEK/ROCK CREEK -- submitted by Bob Borgwat, 08-23-19

Flows on Rock Creek are low and warm. I doubt any trout fishing is ongoing until water temperatures drop into the 60s. Even then, according to the hatchery personnel, the only stocking on the stream is likely only to take place just before Thanksgiving  and Christmas. 

Coopers Creek is pretty much past its turning point. The lower end of the stream along Coopers Creek Road and in the area of the NF campgrounds is too warm for much, if any, trout action. According to the hatchery personnel, the only stocking on the stream is likely only to take place just before Thanksgiving  and Christmas. Depending on the localized water temperature, some holdout trout (and a few wilds, too) may still be active in the upper reaches of the creek between the upper bridge and Lake Winfield Scott. Stocking has been suspended at the bridge and the Shope Field CG, too. Look for the best action in the most remote places you can fish, including the several feeder streams that hold wild rainbows, browns and, in some streams, brookies.

NOONTOOTLA CREEK -- submitted by Bob Borgwat, 08-23-19

This gem that holds only wild 'bows and browns could still fish in the mornings under its low flows, but it's grown marginal, too, in water temps. Still, tossing Adams, Caddis and Coachman patterns in the plunges and the riffles could take some fish. Expect them to be small, despite the 16-inch minimum-length limit for possession of trout. Artificials only, single hooks.

LOCAL UPPER TRIBS -- submitted by Bob Borgwat, 08-23-19

Fish these tiny streams in "search mode" for wild browns, rainbows and brookies. Water flows are at the year's lowest, and temperatures could be a problem in all but the highest and most-covered streams. The best action is probably on the "brookie streams," which are usually the coldest this time of year, yet the hardest to access. I don't see any sense in throwing anything but flies on these jewels. Cover the mini holes, riffles and lanes with Caddis and Stimulator fly patterns. 

HIWASSEE RIVER (at Reliance, TN) -- submitted by Bob Borgwat, 08-23-19

Trout fishing on this great riverway is all but over. The state stopped stocking in late July; however, rumor has it a stocking will take place at the upper boat ramp ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend. If that entices you to head that way, beware of the great rubber/plastic hatch that signals the end of the recreational season on the 'Wass. Tubes, kayaks and rafts  between the upper ramp and Reliance will number to near 1,000 per day on Saturday and Sunday. Believe me. It won't be pretty for fishing. If you fish, toss small spoons and spinners in deep water and the shoals in hopes of turning some reaction strikes based on the flash of the lures. Expect water flows in the range of 2,800 cfs. Stay safe. Next stocking date will be close to Nov. 1, when the river regs switch to "delayed harvest" -- catch and release, artificial lures/flies only -- through March 15, 2020.

On the other hand, summertime's high-water flow on the lower Hiwassee -- from Reliance to Hwy 411 -- can deliver smallmouth bass, maybe even stripers, for those who can float the river. On Aug. 20, I floated this stretch with Brad Wayne and Harmon Smith. We collected seven smallmouths, with the best at 3 1/2 pounds. All were caught on lures -- crankbaits and soft-plastics. 

BLUE RIDGE/NOTTELY/CHATUGE -- submitted by Bob Borgwat, 08-23-19

No reports. It's the dog days of summer. Bass fishing on lakes Blue Ridge/Nottely/Chatuge is at its toughest of the year right now. Fly-rodders with some skill for fishing bugs deep might have fun with bluegills, redbreasts and small spotted bass.