Chattahoochee River, Georgia
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September 2024
By Polly Dean
Atlantans are fortunate that they have the Chattahoochee River running right through their city. Specifically, anglers can take advantage of the cold flow of the tailwater below Lake Sidney Lanier that is stocked with trout throughout the hot summer months. The Chattahoochee, considered a medium-sized river, provides a source of recreation including rafting and paddling in addition to the fishing. Various riverwalks and pathways along the river also provide Atlantans a scenic reprieve for escaping the bustling city.
Buford Dam, where the Chattahoochee Tailwater begins. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
Trout are heavily stocked into sections of the Chattahoochee upstream of Atlanta. Trout survive year-round and brown trout even reproduce there. Browns have not needed to be stocked in decades, and those fish are the main attraction on the river. But today, we learned a lesson about the rainbow trout action instead.
Jimmy Jacobs and I met Wes Bradley, our guide from Alpharetta Outfitters, at Abbots Bridge Boat Ramp in Duluth. He was finishing up backing his drift boat down to the water and getting everything ready for our float trip. The first thing I was aware of when climbing into the boat to begin our float down the river, was that I had forgotten how refreshingly cool the air is when sitting just inches above the cold water of the Chattahoochee, especially in the midst of the hottest days of summer in Georgia.
Wes Bradley launching the drift boat. Photo by Polly Dean.
Wes had a couple 10-foot, 4-weight rods ready for us with a double-nymph rig under a yarn indicator using a 4x leader. The longer rod made it a tad easier to cast or “flip” the double rig. We really didn’t need to make long casts much of the day, but just get our flies 20- to 30-feet or so from the boat for a good drift.
Though the water was clear, Wes uses the 4x since a bigger fish may show up. He will drop down to 5x leader if he decides to use smaller flies. He also prefers the yarn indicator, believing it’s more sensitive than other options. As the morning progressed, we did learn that the strikes could be very subtle and it was a good idea to set the hook, even when in doubt.
The double-rig consisted of a white Mop Fly above a small Pheasant Tail Nymph. That latter fly had an orange wrap at the eye of the hook. The Mop Fly varied a bit in that it had a slightly longer tail and was tied from a different material than what is traditional. It was the first time a guide handed me a rod rigged with a Mop Fly, but since that pattern has been my recent go-to confidence fly, I was not disappointed in seeing it.
It wasn’t long before I had my first bite from a stout 12- to 13-inch rainbow that took the Mop Fly, and put up a good fight. As the morning progressed, Jimmy and I had a steady number of takes that kept us busy. Honestly, the fishing was so good that if I didn’t get a bite in a few minutes, I suspected that I had fouled my fly in some way, and many times this was the case. I had more takes on the Mop Fly, but a good number on the Pheasant Tail as well. I stuck with those flies all morning.
First fish of the day in the morning mist. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
I learned that a little movement of the fly was sometimes a good idea for enticing a bite, and even when my mending was a little sloppy, Wes let me know that was not a bad thing. Moving the fly a bit when adjusting the line often encouraged a strike. I was happy to hear this, since my mending skills sometimes leave a little to be desired.
Wes directed us through the “runs” that were often holding a fish. At times it was helpful to cast to the shady areas along the bank. The rainbows were cooperating so well that in just a few short hours, Jimmy and I had boated and released 42 healthy trout. None were huge, but all were a decent size and put on an acrobatic display. It was loads of fun!
Guide Wes Bradley with another of the author’s rainbows. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.
Even though the upper ‘Hooch can be known for holding big brown trout, this was a day that the rainbows were cooperating. Wes mentioned that the brown trout tend to be more active in the fall and winter months. And often found to be upstream of where we were fishing, closer to Buford Dam, where the tailwater originates.
With the constant action provided by the fish and not being necessary to have a great amount of skill in casting or accuracy needed in placing the fly, this would be an excellent trip for a child or newcomer to the sport of fly fishing. And honestly, even though I am fortunate in that I am able to fish often, I never grow tired of a trip as action-packed as this. Wes, our guide, was a pleasure to spend the morning with, as he is easy-going and encouraging.
Growing up in Tucker, Georgia, Wes Bradley has been guiding here on the Chattahoochee since 2016. Prior to Atlanta, he was splitting his time between Alabama and Alaska, while going to school. He is one of four guides working out of Alpharetta Outfitters. Visit alpharettaoutfitters.com for more information on booking a wade or float trip in the southeast or take a look at their destination trips to West Virgina, Idaho, Belize, Patagonia and more.
