Toccoa River Fishing Report: May 28, 2025

Toccoa River Tailwater Report

Spring in North Georgia has brought plenty of rain, but that hasn't slowed down the fly fishing action on the Toccoa River. Despite the wet weather, there have been plenty of productive fishing windows—especially during breaks between storms. Most of the rain showers are short-lived and pass through quickly, leaving behind ideal fishing conditions.

Overcast days have actually been some of the best times to be on the water. Cloud cover often gets the trout feeding more actively, and we've had some great numbers days. So don’t let a rainy forecast keep you off the river—just time it right, and you might hit one of the best bites of the season. As always, remember to check the Dam Generation Schedule before heading out to the tailwater.

Small Creeks

Spring is one of the best times to fly fish the smaller creeks in North Georgia. With recent rains keeping water levels healthy and temperatures ideal, these mountain streams are full of active trout. Our smaller creeks give anglers a great opportunity to go after some beautiful wild trout. The higher flows have spread fish out and made them less spooky, creating great opportunities for anglers using stealthy approaches and light setups. Dry-dropper rigs, small nymphs, and attractor patterns have been producing consistent action. If you're looking for solitude, wild trout, and scenic backcountry water, now is a perfect time to explore North Georgia’s hidden creeks with a fly rod in hand.

Upper Toccoa River

The Delayed Harvest section of the Upper Toccoa River officially ended on May 15th, marking a seasonal shift in fly fishing conditions. As water temperatures begin to rise, fishing activity around the Sandy Bottoms area has started to slow down. Warmer water typically pushes trout to seek out cooler, oxygen-rich areas—often higher up in the river system.

Despite these changes, we've continued to see solid success on guided float trips. Many trout have started migrating upstream, and float fishing the Upper Toccoa has been an effective way to cover more water and stay on active fish. Targeting deeper runs and shaded banks has been key, especially during the warmer parts of the day. If you're planning a summer fly fishing trip in North Georgia, focusing on upstream stretches of the Toccoa River can still provide excellent opportunities for both wild and holdover trout. Always check the water gauge before heading out to the Upper Toccoa, we do not recommend wade fishing the Upper if the water is above 600 cfs.

Best Flies For The Toccoa River Right Now

Right now, one of the most effective setups for fly fishing the Toccoa River is a dry dropper rig. We've been having great success using a size 10 Royal Chubby Chernobyl as the dry fly, which has been drawing aggressive surface strikes. For the dropper, a black rubber leg stonefly has been our go-to point fly, followed by a soft hackle pheasant tail. Other productive nymph patterns include hare’s ear nymphs, rainbow warriors, and holy grails. If you're looking to target larger trout or explore deeper pools, olive woolly buggers and sparkle minnows have been producing solid results. Whether you're wading or floating the Toccoa River, these fly patterns are working well right now and should be in every North Georgia angler's box.

If you are interested in a guided trip we would love to have you in the boat!

Tight lines and happy fishing!