Chattooga River
river in Georgia
A rugged 57-mile border river (GA/SC) with diverse runs, riffles and pools producing wild brown, rainbow and brook trout; classic Appalachian trout water.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Chattooga River
- 01Fish are actively feeding subsurface on nymphs and larvae as water temperatures cool.
- 02Look for intermittent hatches of Blue-Winged Olives, particularly on overcast afternoons.
- 03Warmer fall days can still bring panfish and fallfish to the surface for terrestrials or poppers.
- 04Streamers imitating baitfish and leeches are effective for larger, more aggressive fish.
- 05The cooler water often concentrates fish in deeper runs and pools.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO)
Fall BWO hatches are common, especially on overcast days, appealing to selective fallfish, bluegill, and panfish.
October Caddis (Dry)
Fall is prime time for October Caddis hatches, a significant food source for fallfish and panfish in freestone rivers.
Buy at AmazonSan Juan Worm
A consistent attractor, particularly effective after any rainfall, appealing to a wide array of species including bluegill, panfish, and fallfish.
Buy at AmazonScud
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source year-round, and effective in cooler water for bluegill and panfish.
Mop Fly
This grub/larvae imitation is a general workhorse, effective for putting various fish like bluegill, panfish, and fallfish in the net year-round.
Hare's Ear Nymph
A year-round staple, this general mayfly nymph is consistently effective for subsurface feeding by bluegill, panfish, and fallfish.
Buy at AmazonTrico Spinner
Trico hatches are active in October on slower sections, providing excellent dry fly opportunities for rising bluegill and fallfish.
Buy at AmazonIsonychia Dun
Isonychia are actively hatching on freestone rivers during the fall, making this a prime pattern for rising fallfish.
Popping Bug (Bass)
On warmer fall days in southern regions, topwater action can still occur, drawing aggressive strikes from sunfish and panfish.
Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
A versatile streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for bass, sunfish, and fallfish in cooler fall waters.
Where to fish and who to ask
Burrells Ford
Popular put-in and wade-fishing access with miles of trout water upstream and downstream.
Jenkins Bridge
Access point near a series of productive riffles and pocket water favored for dry-fly fishing.
River Forks Access
Trailhead and take-out area with easy access to good mid-section trout runs.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Turning Stone's Fly Fishing
Hatch Camp and Art Farm
Chattooga River Fly Shop
Soaring Eagle Outfitters
Get Chattooga River reports by email
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Georgia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Chattooga River.
What flies work best on Chattooga River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Chattooga River right now are Elk Hair Caddis (80% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence), Hare's Ear Nymph (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Chattooga River?
Chattooga River holds Bluegill, Panfish, Fallfish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Chattooga River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Chattooga River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.