Tallulah River Georgia Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout (Wild and stocked)
Rainbow Trout (Wild and stocked)
Brook Trout (native)
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Northern Georgia
Season
Year-round
Access:
Fair
Non-Resident License
State of Georgia
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
You can fish the stream anytime of the year.
Spring:
Spring is the best time of year for fly fishing the Tallulah River because of the hatches.
Summer:
The stream fishes okay during most of the Summer.
Fall:
Autumn is a great time to fish. Brown trout spawn in the fall and become easier to catch during the migration.
Winter:
Warm winter days brings some good fishing at times
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Tallulah River Georgia
Fly fishing the Tallulah River is more a product of its small tributary streams than the river itself. The creation of Lake Burton slowed down the flow of much of the river. It begins in North Carolina and proceeds through four lakes before reaching the Chattooga River about sixty miles away. The upper section of the Tallulah River has about five miles of public access. This area lies above Lake Burton and extends up to the North Carolina state line. It has both wild rainbow and brown trout but is still stocked with additional fish. This section of the river is medium size, averaging about twenty to thirty feet wide.
The uppermost tributary is the Coleman River which begins in the Coleman River Wildlife Management Area. U. S. highway #70 crosses the river above Lake Burton near Clayton. Its headwaters begin in the Nantahala Wilderness Area as a very small stream. Fly fishing the Coleman River is best from its confluence with the Tallulah River upstream to the Coleman River Scenic Area. There is only a small section of public water above there because it flows through some private property sections. The stream also becomes very small. The Coleman River isn’t stocked. It has a population of wild rainbow and some wild brown trout. Native brook trout are in its headwaters. The lower section can be accessed from Forest Service Road #70.
The next downstream tributary of the Tallulah River is Moccasin Creek but it flows into the upper part of Lake Burton rather than the actual river. It begins in the Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area. A fish hatchery is located on the stream just outside of the Wildlife Management Area. The stream is damed to get use of its water and then flows through Moccasin Creek State Park and on into Lake Burton. Anglers that fish the state park must be under 12 years of age or older than 65. This part of the creek is heavily stocked with larger trout.
The stream within the Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area can be accessed via the Hemlock Falls Trail. Above an area of water falls, Moccasin Creek contains wild rainbow and brown trout and there are some below the falls where the stream flows though a gorge. The stream flows though a valley. This is a very nice area to fish but requires a little effort to reach.
The next tributary that enters Lake Burton from the Wildlife Area a mile farther down the lake is Wildcat Creek. Fly fishing Wildcat Creek is a little different than fly fishing Moccasin Creek but Wildcat Creek is stocked. It’s heavily fished by the bait guys. The best option to fish this stream is to fish up near where the stream enters the Tray Mountain Wilderness Area. There are more wild trout than stockers upstream and of course, less bait fishermen. This area can be accessed via Forest Service Road 26-1. It follows along the creek but of course that only makes it easier for others to access. This stream is capable of being a very good wild trout stream if it was managed properly.
All in all, the Tallulah River still has some good fly fishing opportunities if you pick and choose the exact locations to fish. Fly fishing the Tallulah River can be a lot of fun if
you do that.