Autumn On The EB

Autumn On The EB

Monday, July 16, 2018

The Heat, The Drought And Blue Ridge Georgia

"Fly fishing does have its social aspects - on some of our crowded trout streams it can get too social - but essentially it's a solitary, contemplative sport. People are left alone with themselves in beautiful surroundings to try to accomplish something that seems to have genuine value." John Gierach

A few points:
Ok, it's hot and fairly dry except for the rain that tweaked up the EB three days ago. Get there early or get there late for the best fishing. Same with the Millers. Those browns can be caught and released if done quickly without any extended photo opts especially those with the fish lying on the ground.

Fish the Gypsy Moth hatch especially on the Swift. Use my imitation (two posts back) or throw on a Chubby Chernobyl. It's been working.

Thank you for the multitude of comments over the last few months. This blog has been averaging well over a 100 comments for every 10 posts AND the vast majority have been from readers (not from me) AND they are REAL comments about technique, flies, places to fish and not sugar coated "what a pretty fish" filler. THANK YOU!!!


Now, what's this Blue Ridge Ga thing?? That's where I've been for the last two days and for a few more.

Things to know about Blue Ridge:

It has a base elevation of 1800 feet and is surrounded by mountains that rise to 3000 feet.

The high temperature in Massachusetts today will be 92. The high temperature in Blue Ridge will be 82.

High temperatures in January will hit the 50's. Spring is in full stride in early March.

BLUE RIDGE IS THE TROUT FISHING CAPITAL OF GEORGIA!!!!! This is the result of a number of tail water dams built decades ago and a number of guides that work the rivers, the Toccoa River in particular. I'll supply more info latter this week.

Did I mention that it is absolutely beautiful down here???

Ken










8 comments:

WrongDay said...

Nice to hear you are in Blue Ridge! I fished the Toccoa for several years before moving to Mass. A good guide will put you on some serious brown trout in the tailwater. While you are there, check out the bamboo rod makers at Oyster in Blue Ridge.

Tight lines,
Bill

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Bill,

Oyster is on my list to do today.

Ken

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read your reports of the Blue Ridge. Safe travels.

Anonymous said...

Grew up in the Blue Ridge foothills of NC and SC and fly fished first on the upper regions of the Chattooga River while a student at Clemson University. Hope to fish down there again some day.

Anonymous said...


Lost my chubby chernobyl to a bad knot (not on a fish) and got lots of refusals on a large stimulator, one very close to the fly, missed a fish on a midge pupa, and caught one on a streamer at the swift.

Haven't had a chance to tie your fly. Looks like hoppers are around also, although I don't know how many the fish actually eat. One year they worked awesome.

Kevin

Anonymous said...


Was at the Farmington the past two days and caught a ridiculous amount of fish (mostly bows some nice browns and a bigger 18” that got the best of me) are there any spots where browns are more likely to be caught there? Or flies they fancy more than rainbows? Either way can’t complain about constant action!

Going back on my birthday this Friday hoping to find a yellow present.

Lenny

mattk said...

3 takes on the moth fly tonight at rhe swift with 1 brown landed. 1 busted off at my Bill Dance hook set. Fish were a little more willing on tge whiter fly coming off. Dont believe they were sulphurs. A lot of short striking fish. Missed several that i thought took the fly....but no!

Millers River Flyfisher said...

mattk,

"Bill Dance hook set" - that's a good one!!!

There is a larger pale mayfly on the Swift called the Cream Cahill. It emerges from June through late September but not in great numbers. Trout like it though!

Ken