Winter Fly Fishing In North Georgia: A Guide To Cold Weather Angling
When winter settles in the mountains of North Georgia, many anglers tuck away their rods until spring. However, those who brave the chill are often rewarded with some great fishing opportunities. The Toccoa River receives a lot less pressure in the winter and big fish are more eager to eat in the winter months.
Why Fly Fish in Winter?
With the river less crowded, fishing pressure is low which gives anglers a great opportunity to have great days on the water! Bigger fish are more active in the winter do to the cooler water temperatures and the lower light conditions.
Best Spots for Winter Fly Fishing in North Georgia
1. Toccoa River Tailwater
The tailwater is a great place to trout fish in the winter in Blue Ridge. The bigger browns are on the move and targeting them with streamers on high water can be effective in the winter months.
2. Upper Toccoa River
The Upper Toccoa offers great fly fishing in North Georgia during the winter months. The delayed harvest section can be productive for wading when the water is low enough. Float trips during the winter months are fantastic with some chances at bigger rainbows. The float trips are great due to the fact you can access the slower deeper pools where the fish hold in the winter easier than wading.
Essential Gear and Techniques for Winter Fly Fishing
Layer Up: Proper clothing is key to staying warm. Start with moisture-wicking base layers, add insulation, and top it off with a waterproof jacket.
Focus on Nymphs: Trout feed primarily below the surface in the winter. You will find most fish schooled up in slower deep holes. Patterns like Rubber Legs, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Zebra Midges are highly effective. Use a nymph rig with split shot and a strike indicator for the best results, and don’t forget to fish deep.
Streamers: This method can be very effective in the winter months, especially for bigger fish. This is by far our favorite time of year to float high water and throw streamers targeting big fish. Typically an overcast, crummy weather day can lead to some of the biggest fish of the year.
Final Thoughts
With the river being much less crowded and big fish on the move, the winter months fly fishing the Toccoa River can be very productive. Just remember to layer up and add that extra split shot for those slow deep pools. Always remember to check the dam generation schedule and river flows before heading out to the river. You can also stay up to date with our monthly fishing reports for the latest conditions and what flies are working best. If you would like to get out and go after big fish, this is the time of year to do it, and we’d love to have you on the boat! Book your trip today!