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Fly Fishing Report On The Upper Toccoa River, Georgia

Toccoa River Georgia – Brown Trout

Upper Toccoa River Fishing Report (03/03/24)
(Bottom Of Page)

Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.

We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.

Type of Stream
Freestone

Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout

Size
Small to Medium

Location
North Central Georgia

Nearest Towns
Morgantown

Season
Year-round

Access:
Fair

Non-Resident License
State of Georgia

Weather
National Weather Service Link

Seasons:
You can fish the stream anytime of the year.
Spring:
Spring is the best time of year to fish the river because of the hatches.
Summer:
The best fishing is confined to the uppermost sections
Fall:
Autumn is a great time to fish. The fall foliage along the stream is beautiful. Brown trout spawn in the fall.
Winter:
Warm days can provide decent trout fishing.

Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or  6X Nymphing:  
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X

Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X

Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six

Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators

Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.

Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:

Email us  at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.

Copyright 2016 James Marsh

Fly Fishing Upper Toccoa River Georgia
The Toccoa River has many miles of fly fishing opportunities above Blue Ridge Lake. This page includes a fly fishing report for the Upper Toccoa River Georgia. The river’s headwaters are in the Chattahoochee National Forest but about ten miles of the uppermost part of the river is not available to the public. Below the private property the river flows through a mixture of national forest land and private property.

The trout are mostly stocked rainbows. The stream and some of its tributaries, mostly Coopers and Rock Creeks, are stocked by the state of Georgia. There’s some natural reproduction but it’s very limited. The natural production takes place mostly in the small tributary streams.

The first major section of the Toccoa River open to the public is in the Deep Hole Recreation Area. The stream is generally much larger than most Georgia streams this close to their headwaters. It’s already a good size stream at the Deep Hole Recreational Area. The 14 mile stretch of river downstream from the Deep Hole Recreational Area is called the Toccoa River Canoe Trail. Although the area is popular with canoeist, anglers can fish the waters nearby that’s not on private property from the bank or by wading as well as by boat.

By hiking away from the popular areas a short distance you can find plenty of water to fish. There are also points the river can be accessed from bridges. Although the stream is easy to wade in this area, most anglers prefer to fish it from a boat. It’s a big stream, width wise – not the typical small stream most anglers prefer to wade. The Toccoa River Canoe Trail provides several developed access points. The trail and upper section drift boat trips ends at the Sandy Bottoms access area. Sandy Bottoms provides a ramp.

The next popular section to float is from the Sandy Bottoms area downstream to Blue Ridge Lake. You will find it consist of a variety of different types of water ranging from narrow, fast water sections to wide, long pools of slower moving water. This section ends above an area of rapids near the lake. Smallmouth bass enter the species picture the closer you get to the lake. The last point to take your boat out is called Noontootia Boil which is on the Aska Road.

The popularity of the Upper Toccoa River is rapidly growing due to its relatively, newly established “delayed harvest” section of water. The DH Season runs from November 1 through May 14. There’s a mile and a half section that falls under these regulations. This section is stocked heavily during the colder months of the year with larger size rainbow trout. There are also some nice size holdover brown trout in the stream.  

Cooper Creek is the uppermost sizeable tributary of the Upper Toccoa River. It’s a heavily stocked trout stream. In fact, it’s considered the heaviest fished trout stream in Georgia mostly because it flows through the Mulky and Cooper Creek Forest Service campgrounds. The entire upper part of the stream is located within the boundaries of the Cooper Creek Wildlife Management area. The first four miles of the creek from the Toccoa River upstream are on private property. It does have some wild trout mostly found in its headwaters upstream of the campgrounds area in the Cooper Creek Scenic area. Hiking is required to reach this section and it cuts down on the fishing pressure almost a hundred percent. There are some wild rainbows and holdover and wild brown trout in this section of Cooper Creek.

Rock Creek flows into the Toccoa River downstream of the Deep Hole Campground from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. The Chattahoochee River Fish Hatchery is located about the middle of the creek. The fish hatchery, along with the Forest Service Frank Gross Campground located on its banks, insures there isn’t any shortage of stocked trout. The stream is medium size from Rock Creek Lake (also stocked) downstream and contains some wild trout along with the stocked brown and rainbow trout. Above the lake, the stream is small but does contain both wild and stocked rainbow trout.  Unless you want to venture into the streams upper section just for adventure, we don’t recommend either Cooper or Rock Creek for the avid fly angler. The Toccoa River is a much better choice.

Noontootla Creek is the last major tributary to enter the Upper Toccoa River. It’s considered by many anglers to be the best freestone trout stream in the state of Georgia. It begins in the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area near Frying Pan Gap. It’s managed as a “catch-and-release” stream.

Fishing Report:

05/01/21 Stream levels are up some from recent rain but falling back down. We have been getting very good reports from customers fishing. Hendricksons, blue quills, quill gordons, little black caddis, little brown stoneflies, American March Browns and blue-winged olives are hatching.

05/08/21 The stream levels are a little above normal but okay. We are getting good reports from customers. Hopefully the weather will settle down this coming week. You should be able to catch plenty trout. There are good hatches taking place.

05/16/21 The stream levels are a little above normal but should fall down to normal very soon. It isn’t too high to fish right now. We are getting some good reports from customers. Light cahills, Slate Drakes, Sulphurs, Green Sedge caddis and other insects are hatching.

05/22/21 The stream level is down near normal and we continue to get some very good reports from customers. Conditions are good with good hatches taking place.

06/07/21 The stream levels are a little low but okay. We received two good reports from customers this past week. There are some very good hatches. Call or send us an email for a recommended fly list.

06/17/21 The river is still in okay shape with good hatches. We continue to get good reports from customers. Email us  at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.

06/28/21 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. We continue to get good reports from customers fishing. There are good hatches and terrestrials are starting to work good.

07/10/21 We are still getting good reports from customers. Fish early mornings to noon and late afternoons for the best result. If you are not using Perfect flies, you are not giving yourself the best opportunities for success.

07/17/21 The weather should be much cooler this coming week and that should help the fish and fishers. We are still getting good reports from customers.

07/24/21 The stream is in okay condition. Levels are up some but still okay. There are good hatches and our terrestrial patterns are working.

07/31/21 The stream is in good shape in all respects. We continue to get good reports from customers. Good numbers of trout are being caught.

08/07/21 Conditions remain good. There are still lots of hatching insects now including Tricos and Mahogany Duns as well as the others.

08/16/21 The stream is still turning out some good numbers of trout for our customers. We continue to get good reports. Stream levels are okay.

08/23/21 The freestone section is still in okay shape and we have been getting some good reports. Mahogany duns have started to hatch along with others and our terrestrial patterns like Japanese beetles, carpenter ants and hopper are still working good.

08/30/21 Stream levels are okay right now but will go up for sure due to the heavy rain from the tropical system. We have been getting good reports.

09/07/21 Stream levels are down to near normal and the river in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.

09/14/21 The river is in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past weekend. Stream levels are near normal.

09/23/21 The stream is still in good shape. We received some good reports from customers this past week. This should continue as long as the stream levels are okay.

10/03/21 We have been getting some good reports from customers. Trout are being caught in good numbers. Good hatches are occurring.

10/15/21 Good conditions exist. Stream levels are down and the river in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.

10/25/21 Stream conditions are good and we are getting good reports from customers. Good numbers of trout are being caught. Good hatches of blood midges, BWOs, Mahogany duns and others.

11/02/21 The stream is a little high but okay. We are getting some very good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.

11/11/21 The stream is in good shape and clear. We received six good reports from customers fishing this past week. There are good fall hatches taking place.

11/19/21 We continue to get some very good reports from customers fishing. Conditions are as good as they get at this time of the season.

11/27/21 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

12/07/21 Conditions are good. We received four good reports this past week from customers.

12/14/21 More good reports came in this past week. Midges, and BWOs continue to hatch. Our sculpin and leech streamer patterns are turning out some good ones.

12/22/21 The stream is in good shape and turning out some good catches for our customers. This should be a good week to fish it.

12/30/21 The stream level is high due to recent rain. Give it a day or two to drop back down. We have been getting some very good reports.

01/07/21 The stream is down to an okay level. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. It should be good now.

01/15/21 The stream is okay but the weather is lousy and snow may prevent you from fishing this weekend. Conditions should be good again by the middle of the week.

01/23/21 Conditions are okay but the water is cold, but not too cold to catch trout. Midges, and winter stoneflies are hatching.

01/31/21 It should be good the next few days as the weather is going to be clear and warmer. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.

02/08/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Good midge and winter stonefly hatches are taking place.

02/16/22 Stream levels are down in good shape. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.

02/24/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing last week. Blue-winged olives are hatching good.

03/04/22 Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, Little Black Caddis and Little Brown stoneflies should be starting to hatch. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.

03/12/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. It is cold now, but will be warm all next week.

03/20/22 Conditions are very good. Hatches of Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Blue-winged olives, Little Black caddis and Little Brown stoneflies are taking place.

03/28/22 Stream levels are a little above normal but falling fast. You should be able to catch plenty trout. Good hatches are taking place.

04/05/22 The stream is turning out some good catches for our customers. Good stream levels and hatches continue to take place.

04/13/22 Good hatches of blue-winged olives, blue quills, quill gordons, hendricksons/red quills, little brown stoneflies and little black caddis are taking place. Stream levels are okay.

04/21/22 The stream is at a normal level and clear. We are getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.

04/29/22 Conditions remain very good. Good American March browns are hatching in addition to the above insects.

05/07/22 Light Cahills, Eastern Green Drakes, Little Yellow stoneflies, Cinnamon Caddis, and Hendricksons/Red Quills are hatching. American March Browns are hatching.

05/15/22 The stream is in good shape in all respects and we continue to get some very good reports. There are a lot of insects hatching.

05/23/22 The stream is down to near a normal level and mostly clear. There are multiple hatches taking place and we continue to get good catch reports from customers.

05/30/22 The stream is a little above normal level but okay. There are some very good hatches taking place.

06/07/22 Stream levels are okay and the water clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.

06/14/22 The stream is in good shape. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Multiple hatches are taking place.

06/21/22 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Conditions remain good.

06/28/22 The stream is still in very good shape with clear water. There are very good hatches taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout. We have been getting good reports.

07/05/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are coming off and our terrestrial patterns are also working good.

07/12/22 The stream has been a little high this past week at time due to rain but the rain has helped. It is down and in good shape and were are getting good reports again.

07/19/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level in good shape. We received several good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.

07/26/22 Stream levels are just a little above normal but falling. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

08/02/22 The stream is near a normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

08/09/22 We are still getting some very good reports from customers. There are still a lot of insects hatching and our terrestrial patterns are still working good.

08/16/22 The stream is still in good shape at good fishing levels and clear. Good hatches continue and we continue to get good reports from customers.

08/23/16 The stream is in good shape with good late summer hatches. We received two good reports this past week.

08/30/22 The stream is flowing at normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good cinnamon caddis and BWO hatches are taking place.

09/07/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. We received one good report this past week from a customers. Water levels were high some of the time.

09/14/22 The river is still in good shape. We received three good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Good late summer hatches continue to take place.

09/21/22 The river is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received three more good reports from customers fishing this past week.

09/28/22 The river is still just a little below normal level and in good shape. We continue to get good reports from customers. Lots of insects are hatching.

10/12/22 Conditions remain good. We continue to get good reports from customers. Good late season hatches continue to take place.

10/28/22 We continue to get good reports from customers. Lots of BWO hatches. Send us an email at sales@perfectflystore.com for fly and gear recommendations.

11/23/22 Stream levels are just a little below normal and the water clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.

12/15/22 Stream levels are back up very high again and the water badly stained. Give it some time to drop and clear.

01/01/23 Stream conditions should be improving with the rain slacking off this week. There are good winter hatches taking place.

01/26/23 The stream is in good shape with good winter-time hatches taking place. Sorry for the missed reports as I had some time in the hospital but doing well now.

02/12/23 Good conditions exist. Stream levels are normal and the water clear. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting several good reports from customers fishing it.

02/22/23 Stream levels are near normal and the water in good shape. We are getting good reports from customers. The coming days should be very good.

03/07/23 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking place – Quill Gordons, blue quills, little black caddis, little brown stoneflies and BWOs.

03/17/23 Hopefully, the old bad cold front has passed. The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. Good hatches should continue.

04/07/23 Stream levels are near normal and the water mostly clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.

04/20/23 Stream levels are still okay. We received three good reports from customers fishing the past week. Good hatches are taking place including Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Little Brown stoneflies and little Black Caddis.

04/08/23 The stream is in good shape. We received two more good reports from customers this past week.

04/23/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. There are some very good hatches taking place and we are getting good catch reports from customers.

06/06/23 Sorry for the missed reports. The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.

06/13/23 The stream is in good shape with a normal stream level and clear water. There are multiple hatches taking place. We received two good reports again this past week.

06/21/23 The stream is a little high now but okay. We have been getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.

06/30/23 The stream is flowing at a good level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good catch reports from customers.

07/09/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.

07/25/23 The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are still taking place.

08/05/23 The stream is still flowing close to a normal level. Good hatches are taking place and our terrestrial imitations are working good.

08/12/23 The stream is still flowing close enough to fish well.

08/21/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Late season hatches are taking place and our terrestrial patterns are also working good.

08/28/23 The stream is still in good shape with some decent late season hatches taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.

09/05/23 The stream is turning out some good catches for our customers. Good stream levels and good hatches exist.

09/12/23 The stream is near a normal level and clear. Good late season hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.

09/19/23 The stream is still in good shape with stream levels just a little below normal. We continue to get good reports from customers fishing it.

09/26/34 More good catch reports came in from the past week. Good conditions exist.

10/03/23 The stream is a little low but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

10/10/23 The stream is near a normal level and clear. We received another report from a customer fishing this past week.

10/24/23 The stream is flowing below a normal level and lightly stained. Fish still eat in low water. You just have to stay low and as hidden as possible.

11/10/23 The stream is still flowing below normal level but up a little from last week. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.

11/17/23 The stream is low but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

11/26/23 The stream is still a little below normal level but that’s not a bad thing. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

12/05/23 The stream is near a normal level in good shape. We are getting good catch reports from customers. Our Cream midges rigged with the lava and pupa in tandem, are working very good. We pre-rig these for those that have trouble seeing and tying tiny flies.

12/17/23 The stream remains in good shape,but rain for the next two days could change conditions.

12/25/23 Conditions remain good. The stream is still a little below normal and clear. We are getting some good catch reports.

01/12/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. Winter stoneflies and light green midges are hatching good.

01/20/24 Good winter stonefly hatches are taking place along with lots of light green midges. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.

01/31/24 Stream levels are still a little high but falling. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good catch reports from customers.

02/09/24 The stream is down to a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off.

02/18/24 Conditions are very good. The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good light green and red, or blood midge, hatches are taking place along with Winter stoneflies.

02/25/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level with clear water. Good hatches of Midges and Winter stoneflies are taking place. Fish the Winter stonefly nymphs near the banks.

03/03/24 Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Blue-winged olives, little Black caddis and Little Brown stoneflies have started hatching. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear.

Send us an email for recommended flies and gear. sales@perfectflystore.com