Trout Fishing

Hoppin' Around the Hooch

Trout fishing isn’t something usually associated
with urban environments. But it’s surprising how often
good fishing can be found in or near cities. Not just
in the West, where you might expect it, but even in
the crowded East.

The hypnotic drone of Chris’s jet drive and the lethargy produced by a seven-hour drive and a too-early wake up call combined to cause a weird mental shift. One minute we’re running upstream, watching wildlife. The next minute, it seems as though the boat is standing still while the greenbelt along Georgia’s Chattahoochee River rushes past. We’re dreamily floating in that strange nether region, between the river and the sky. Suddenly the engine ceases and jolts me from my reverie.

We’d come to a log and rock dam that stretches across the width of the stream. Built thirty years before as a habitat improvement project, it blocks most boat traffic. While the jet drive could have taken us up and over, it wasn’t necessary. We’d arrived at our trout fishing destination. The dam had done its job well, and was a major holding area for trout.

“When the water is discolored like this,” Chris instructed, “nymphs are among the best bet.” Lake Lanier, upstream, had recently turned over, and the water was a dark, translucent tea color. Soon we were flyfishing for trout by fast-stripping nymphs. And the fish---mixed browns and rainbows---attacked the flies with abandon. We lost count after catching and releasing sixteen fish.

Back in the 1950s and early ‘60s, when I first came into flyfishing, it was axiomatic that they were no longer building trout streams. But, in fact, they were. Every time a hydro dam was built, it created a cold water fishery. Water from these deep dams comes from the bottom of the pile, at a uniform cold temperature, to create perfect conditions for “put-grow-and-take” fisheries and, of course, trout fishing.

There are dozens of these tailrace trout streams in the south. But the Chattahoochee is different in several respects. First, it’s the only such stream flowing near, let alone through, a major metropolitan center. Some of the best trout fishing water on the Hooch flows within a double haul of downtown Atlanta. Add in the greenbelt that lines both shorelines, and it’s almost a wilderness stream.

Water close to cities usually provides a less than high quality trout fishing experience. Not so the Hooch. For 48 miles, from Buford Dam to Atlanta, the Hooch is a National Recreation Area. A greenbelt lines the shores, and there are several parks offering launch ramps, bathrooms, and picnic facilities. Once away from the traffic noise, you can easily imagine yourself on a pristine mountain stream.

The Hooch is exceptional in another way. Most southern tailraces are relatively sterile. The forage base tends to be shad, washed through the turbines, and crayfish. The Hooch has these, to be sure. But in addition there is a multitude of aquatic insects---far more than is usual on a tailrace. These range from the expected stoneflies and caddis to several mayfly hatches. And the midge hatch, in winter, rivals that found on many Western rivers.

So, while most tailraces are more suited to conventional tackle or limited flyfishing, the Hootch is ideal for anglers trout fishing with any preferred tackle.

There’s also a float tube hatch. Despite the caution of every belly boat manufacturer against using the doughnuts in moving water, there’s a long tradition of belly boating the Hooch while fishing for trout. Gliding downstream in a float tube you become one with the river. The water, the fish, and you in the float tube merge into a coherent whole.

There are a couple of stretches particularly suitable for bellyboating: From the Highway 20 Bridge downstream to the old Settles Bridge makes a nice half-day float. Settles Bridge to Littles (McGinnis) Ferry Bridge makes for a very full day float.

There are special rules regarding the use of PFDs in any craft, on the Hootch. So be sure and check the latest regs.

There are a few wadeable sections you might like to try. Wadeable is a term used loosely by Hooch trout fishing regulars, who do things a bit differently. Once again, belly boats often come into play. The float tubes are worn like suspenders as you wade riffles and shoals. When you step into deeper water, or wish to work a pool, you float through on the tube. Likewise, should the current kick your feet out from under you (a likely occurrence), you merely sit down. The float tube provides a safe, soft seat, and you don’t have to worry about being swept downstream. Instead, you fish your way down until you find solid footing again.

There’s plenty of public water available along the Hootch, with three particularly good wading stretches:

• Old Settles Bridge. There’s a set of riffles here about a half mile long. Anywhere above the sandy beach is good wadeable water. Do not miss the large flat rock about 150 yards upstream of the old bridge.



• Jones Bridge Park. There’s about a mile of fairly easy wading, mostly pockets and plunge pools, as the river moves through fairly large boulders. During the summer the park can get crowded, though, so trout fishing this section is better early or late in the day.



• Cochran Shoals. Here you’ll find a couple of miles of very good water. It can easily take a full day to cover all the water in this two-mile stretch. But the area is particularly popular with rafters and tubers, so you may find that it too is better for trout fishing in the morning and evening.