Low water will be the biggest factor in trout fishing this December. Most rivers and creeks are gin clear and have the lowest flows of the year. This will make wild fish incredibly spooky and tougher to catch. On the upside, stockers will likely be fish in a barrel. Being easier to find will make fishing earlier in the month much easier and similar to how the month of November rounded off. Look for trout to be holding in deeper troughs as they will be highly exposed to predators in their typical, and more shallow, late fall holding water. Move slow and keep your disturbances down for wild fish and look for smaller flies to work best. Less casting and more looking will land you more fish this month.
Our latest video shows you just why this is so important. Small stoneflies and mayflies have been common around mid day. Caddis hatches have slowed but a few can be seen on warm afternoons. Emerging midges have been staples the past few weeks and should become even more important throughout December. Dry flies and nymphs in the size 16-20 range have been the best imitations.
December Fly Fishing on Stocked and Delayed Harvest Streams
For stockers, junk flies (eggs, worms, mops) have been producing huge numbers in the recently stocked DH stretches as well as the regularly stocked waters. Once the fish get educated on these flies, go to smaller size and profile nymphs with a much more finesse presentation to target these trout. Look for the deepest water around to find the largest concentrations of theses trout. Depth will mean comfort until the winter rains raise the water levels. The other stocked streams in North Georgia, such as Coopers Creek, Dicks Creek, and Rock Creek have seen some good looking browns, brooks, and rainbows, that seem to be finding ways to avoid the normal angling traffic.
Be on the look out for the upcoming videos from Fish North Georgia as they tackle the Georgia Delayed Harvest Trout Streams.
The trophy trout migrating up to the public water sections has essentially stopped as the lack of rain and low water has put a halt to their movements. But with wet weather on the way, expect to see these giant trout attempt to push up. Hopefully there will still be some fish around by the New Year, but expect them to be well educated and in much smaller numbers as we approach the end of December. For an update on some of the local private waters, check out this this fishing report for the Soque River.
Chattahoochee River Tailwater Fishing
The Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam is still dingy from fall turnover. Not ideal for beginning fly anglers and inexperienced waders. Fish can still be caught but North Georgia is often a better alternative at the moment. By the end of the month the water should clear and offer a better opportunity for anglers to get outside this winter. Midges should be all over the menu for the next few months.
When you can get outside for a few hours, bring the kids fly fishing. Our new article on Fly Fishing with Kids takes a deep dive into how to create the best experience for young anglers.
Get your Fly Fishing Gear ready for the New Year with our Gear Guide for Fly Fishing North Georgia, as well as our article on the best flies for North Georgia. For those trapped inside this winter, learn more about what trout eat or tying effective fly patterns for the various conditions you face out on your local trout stream.
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