Blue Ridge Guide

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SHOWBOAT
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Blue Ridge Guide

Post by SHOWBOAT »

Bought 6 days in Blue Ridge at the CCA banquet. Looking for a guide recommendation. Open to float trip or wading. I’ve done independent trips in N GA before with decent success. Not looking to do that as the house sleeps 12, and we’ll have a bunch of family visiting. Just looking for a day of escape with my 69 year old father and a chance at a trophy. Thanks in advance for any insight.
In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught.
doomtrpr_z71
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by doomtrpr_z71 »

My advice is to just pony up the cash and pay to fish the soque in Clarksville and fish with Blackhawk flyfishing. That was one of the only times I've paid to go fishing that I felt I got my money's worth. It's not that expensive, do a half day in the morning with a guide and you'll both catch a trophy.

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STMU
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by STMU »

Call Jimmy Harris with Unicoi outfitters out of Helen (http://www.unicoioutfitters.com/). They are awesome and do lots of different types of trips. Tell Jimmy what you wanting to do and he can point you in the right direction.

Personally, I'd float the Hooch but if want to catch a ton of giant slimy pellet-fed creek chickens then the Soque will definitely check that box (you can probably guess my opinion of that fishery). The shoal bass fishing on the Hooch is one I would recommend. Fight harder than largemouth, it's a really cool experience if you haven't done it, and I often catch big trout while doing it.
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Gulf Coast
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by Gulf Coast »

Watching :pop_1
STMU
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by STMU »

Gulf Coast wrote: June 30th, 2021, 8:59 am Watching :pop_1
Yeah, I didn't mean any offense by that comment, but after looking at it not my best moment. The Soque hardly has a single native fish species left because of the insane amount of stocked trout. It is also 303d listed in the state for a laundry list of biological impairments. While there are lots of culprits across the landscape, that fishery isn't doing the river any favors. The 1,000lbs of pellets going into that creek every day to feed those things isn't worth it IMO. Again, I meant no offense by it and have fished it before. They fight like any other fish, but the amount of stocked fish in that system is hurting the native fish species which I'm not a fan of.
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Gulf Coast
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by Gulf Coast »

I think you took that wrong, my bad. No, I'm following the guide recommendations. I am planning on a N. Georgia/N.C. in the fall or late summer. :smt004
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SHOWBOAT
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by SHOWBOAT »

Thanks for all the suggestions. Thinking about staying closer to BlueRidge. Anyone fish the Noontootla or Toccoa?

Looking at an outfit like this

https://www.ontheflyexc.com/fly-fishing-rivers/
In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught.
STMU
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Joined: October 4th, 2017, 5:56 am

Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by STMU »

SHOWBOAT wrote: June 30th, 2021, 7:47 pm Thanks for all the suggestions. Thinking about staying closer to BlueRidge. Anyone fish the Noontootla or Toccoa?

Looking at an outfit like this

https://www.ontheflyexc.com/fly-fishing-rivers/
Only fished that way a few times, usually fish the Chestatee, Hooch, or tribs of the Savannah. Don't have much in the way of suggestions. I do think Jimmy with Unicoi could give you a good recommendation of someone that way if he does go that far. Did you try looking on the Georgia Outdoor News forum (https://forum.gon.com/)? They might help you...
tadm555
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by tadm555 »

Georgia Wild Trout [https://www.georgiawildtrout.com] has some of the best North Georgia Fly Fishing Guides that will put you on the fish whether you're looking for wild or trophy trout.
luckywsp
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by luckywsp »

I’ve fished the Noontootla, Soque and plenty of other rivers in the area but not with guides. If you want a native trout trophy your best is the Noontootla but it is a much harder fishery especially if the water is low. I caught a 24 inch bow last time I was there but it was after a good rain. If y’all are fine with the chance then that is your finest. If you want to definitely land multiple large fish then the soque is your best chance but they are all stocked footballs. I caught a 28 incher last time I fished there. Another option for a chance at a trophy is Smithgall Woods state park. You can fish for free but you have to make a reservation and it books up pretty far in advance. It is tough fishing but you can catch nice fish there as well. The other thing that you might want to consider is a Taccoa float trip or any other float just because of how easy it will be for your father. Get him locked into the boat and there will be no rocks to slip on or current to wear him out. Always fishing fresh water too! I hope you wear them out.

Good luck and tight lines

https://gastateparks.org/Smithgallwoods
aff555
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Re: Blue Ridge Guide

Post by aff555 »

The Toccoa River fishes very well for most of the year. This article has some great info on Toccoa River fly fishing https://www.americanflyfishermen.com/to ... ly-fishing
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