Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing West Fork of the Chattooga
River Georgia
The Chattooga River is one of Georgia's and South
Carolina's better trout streams. In one sense, Georgia
has more to do with the Chattooga River than South
Carolina does because most of its major headwaters
come from Georgia. Some of its water also comes from
North Carolina. The West Fork of the Chattooga is the
major headwater stream that forms the Chattooga River.
It's formed by the confluence of Holcomb Creek,
Overflow Creek and Big Creek. This portion of the
West Fork of the river lies within the Wild and Scenic
River Section of the Chattooga River.
Most of the West Fork of the Chattooga River can be
accessed from state highway #28 and Forest Service
Road #86 which follows along the River. The three miles
of water above that up to the forks of the feeder streams
must be accessed on foot. It's not exactly a small
stream. The West Fork is about the same size as the
upper part of the main Chattooga River. It has both wild
rainbow and brown trout but it's also stocked its entire
length. The Three Forks area, where the three
tributaries join, can be accessed via the Three Fork
Trail.
Holcomb Creek is the easiest to access of the three
tributaries of the West Fork of the Chattooga River.
Forest Service Road #86 follows along most of its lower
section. The last mile of the stream is within the Wild and
Scenic River corridor and must be fished from the Three
Forks Trail. The part along the road is stocked and
mostly fished by the corn guys. The section above the
point the service road departs the stream is quite small
and must be accessed by foot. The upper section
has a population of wild rainbows.
Overflow Creek is the main upper tributary to the West
Fork. Big Creek isn't really big and isn't really worth
fishing. Overflow Creek is. It contains wild trout only.
This stream begins in North Carolina and has brook
trout in its headwaters. Fly fishing the West Fork of the
Chattooga River in the Overflow Creek section requires
hiking. This is a good section of water well worth fishing.
All things considered, fly fishing the main stem of the
West Fork of the Chattooga isn't much different from
fishing the main Chattooga River. The big difference is
the state of Georgia can claim all of its water.
Seasons:
You can fish the stream anytime of the year.
Spring:
Spring is the best time of year for fly fishing the West
Fork of the Chattooga River because of the hatches.
Summer:
The stream fishes okay during most of the Summer.
Fall:
Autumn is a great time to fish. Brown trout spawn in the
fall and become easier to catch during the migration.
Winter:
Warm winter days brings some good fishing at times
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for the
West Fork of the Chattooga River
River Georgia
The Chattooga River is one of Georgia's and South
Carolina's better trout streams. In one sense, Georgia
has more to do with the Chattooga River than South
Carolina does because most of its major headwaters
come from Georgia. Some of its water also comes from
North Carolina. The West Fork of the Chattooga is the
major headwater stream that forms the Chattooga River.
It's formed by the confluence of Holcomb Creek,
Overflow Creek and Big Creek. This portion of the
West Fork of the river lies within the Wild and Scenic
River Section of the Chattooga River.
Most of the West Fork of the Chattooga River can be
accessed from state highway #28 and Forest Service
Road #86 which follows along the River. The three miles
of water above that up to the forks of the feeder streams
must be accessed on foot. It's not exactly a small
stream. The West Fork is about the same size as the
upper part of the main Chattooga River. It has both wild
rainbow and brown trout but it's also stocked its entire
length. The Three Forks area, where the three
tributaries join, can be accessed via the Three Fork
Trail.
Holcomb Creek is the easiest to access of the three
tributaries of the West Fork of the Chattooga River.
Forest Service Road #86 follows along most of its lower
section. The last mile of the stream is within the Wild and
Scenic River corridor and must be fished from the Three
Forks Trail. The part along the road is stocked and
mostly fished by the corn guys. The section above the
point the service road departs the stream is quite small
and must be accessed by foot. The upper section
has a population of wild rainbows.
Overflow Creek is the main upper tributary to the West
Fork. Big Creek isn't really big and isn't really worth
fishing. Overflow Creek is. It contains wild trout only.
This stream begins in North Carolina and has brook
trout in its headwaters. Fly fishing the West Fork of the
Chattooga River in the Overflow Creek section requires
hiking. This is a good section of water well worth fishing.
All things considered, fly fishing the main stem of the
West Fork of the Chattooga isn't much different from
fishing the main Chattooga River. The big difference is
the state of Georgia can claim all of its water.
Seasons:
You can fish the stream anytime of the year.
Spring:
Spring is the best time of year for fly fishing the West
Fork of the Chattooga River because of the hatches.
Summer:
The stream fishes okay during most of the Summer.
Fall:
Autumn is a great time to fish. Brown trout spawn in the
fall and become easier to catch during the migration.
Winter:
Warm winter days brings some good fishing at times
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for the
West Fork of the Chattooga River
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout (Wild and stocked) Rainbow Trout (Wild and stocked) Brook Trout (native) Size Small to Medium Location Northwestern Georgia Season Year-round Access: Fair Non-Resident License State of Georgia Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies |
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West Fork
Chattooga
River Georgia
Chattooga
River Georgia
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Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb