We have had a front come in dropping temperature from the mid 90’s to the low 70’s with rain. If I elected to go pursue trout in a tailwater river (about 4 - 8 miles below the dam) what is your best advice on where the trout will be holding and taking? The front is supposed to become somewhat stationary and overcast with possibility of rain.
At this time of year I would take a water temperature. If the water is near seventy degrees look for the fish to be in the coolest available water. If it’s over seventy degrees don’t fish unless you plan on keeping whatever you catch. In either case you want to concentrate on places where springs or cold tributaries enter the river. Otherwise the fish will be lethargic because of low dissolved oxygen levels in the water.
If it rains, great if it does by the way, look for places where the bugs will be gathering as they get washed down the stream, with fresh water from the rain and an input of bugs, the fish will look for those pools that gather up food into a small area. Swirls, foam pockets, things like that should attract the bugs, hence the fish.
Larry —sagefisher—
Thanks for the advice, temp is not really an issue on this part of the river, water temp stays in the low 50 to high 40’s. There are not many streams running into it but all would be warm water streams if they do.
That’s cold water. I thought you were talking about one of those tailwaters that are only able to sustain trout because of the cooler water from the dam. In that case I always look to seams and banks on a new river. A seam or current obstruction with overhanging cover is always a good bet. If there are no rising fish try a wet fly or two swung deep through there. A thermometer may stil help because with water that cold the most active fish may be where the water is a few degrees warmer. Optimum temp for brookies is in the upper fifties and browns will be most active at around sixty-five though both species will feed in colder water, especially if the river never gets any warmer.
This is a tailwater from underneath Buford Dam that contains Lake Lanier. I don’t have a thermometer that I use for fishing but the river stays cold a long way below the dam. I mostly float tube and wear waders with neoprene booties on them, I wear heavy wool sock and neoprene wading shoes over that and still get numb feet.
Yeah, the Hooch stays cold like some of the tailwaters here in east Tenn. Most people can’t fathom the idea of river temps in the 50’s in Georgia. Have you checked with the folks at River hawk in Atlanta? They should be able to give some cues as to what flies are working. I would think that with overcast skies the fish would be alittle less shy. Maybe strip a bugger through the pools below shoals. Look for fish sipping emerging midges. I would fish a zebra type midge about 2-4’ below a yarn indicator in areas wear you see fish activity. May only be dinks rising but the bigger fish will often lay just below them and vacuum up the pupae that the dinks scatter.
This fishing while a front approaches has a lot of truth and myth - I have caught the fool out of them at just the right time. But it’s not as the front approaches but rather when it’s right on top of you when all the action occurs (or at least that’s been my experience). Before and after the fact, too soon or too late. Should add that it could a very dangerous time if there’s lightning involved.
if temprature isnt an issue i would look in all the mormal places ie; under banks/structure, pocketwaters shaded areas riffles and seams along with the above mentioned foam swirls and places where its easy for bugs to gather and be eaten for fly suggestions i usually prospect with a caddis pattern or an irresistable if in the morning and or evenings through out the day ill switch up between generic nymphs and streamers i like buggers and zonkers for prospecting but it never hurts to turn a rock or 2 over…
No one mentioned BWO’s, which are usually present in tailwaters and they like rainy or cloudy days.