Guided Fly Fishing in West Georgia            

      FLINT RIVER SHOAL BASS  -  CHATTAHOOCHEE STRIPERS           

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BASS & BREAM

While the stereotypical view of fly fishing has the angler wading a cool mountain stream for rainbow trout, southern anglers have known great  fun on nearby ponds and lakes fishing for largemouth bass and big bream.

We fish a variety of private and public lakes and ponds. Generally, I prefer the smaller waters but occasionally the bite gets real hot on the bigger water and we chase fish there. The rivers above and below the Chattahoochee also hold good bass populations and offer the chance for largemouth, spotted and shoal bass plus the white, hybrid-whiterock and striped bass - 6 of the 7 bass required for the IGFA Royal Bass Slam.

Limited bank fishing is possible at some of the lakes, but we mainly use our fly fishing skiffs. Big and stable, there are front and rear casting decks for 2 anglers. Freedom Hawk kayaks are also available for the ultimate sneak fishing.

Callaway Gardens Review

Sadly, I no longer guide or fish at Callaway Gardens. Recent management changes have impacted the fishing in a very negative way. Once the 10" and 12" bream were standard fare; now, an 8-incher is probably the biggest of the day. The bass have been affected in much the same way. Trout fishing, where bigger hatchery fish are stocked in November (and die in April) remains about the same.

The big lake, Mountain Creek, still offers a reminder of what Callaway fishing used to be. Mountain Creek is larger than all the other lakes combined and does not require the intensive management to sustain the fishery that the other lakes require. Mountain Creek is open to the public - boat rental is required.

The focus has shifted away from fly fishing to the use of conventional gear. None of the FFF-certified instructors have remained at Callaway and their fly-fishing schools are now somewhat suspect. For you Callaway regulars, everyone you know is gone including Carl, Paul, Sam, Roy, Rusty and me.

It's pains me to give this report, but as a big supporter and a major participant in the Callaway program and fly fishing schools for over 15 years, I owe the truth to my angling customers. The recently published article in Eastern Fly Fishing magazine (Fall 2012) written about my guiding at Callaway was written a year earlier and based on that year and previous years - it is not indicative of Callaway fishing today.

Lake Riley

"If I were managing a lake to produce

a new world record bass,

 I'd do just what CFR Boundary has done with Lake Riley ! "

Nestled in a valley shadowed by the ancient spine of the Appalachians, Lake Riley is approximately 60 miles south of Atlanta in Harris County. The property has been family-owned for 4 generations and is completely private.

Several years ago, the lake was completely drained and reworked for the explicit purpose of establishing a trophy fishery. Standing timber was enhanced with natural and artificial structure, gravel added to spawning areas, with terraces, sunken points, and other underwater contours added. The lake was stocked with threadfin shad and shiners as forage. Bream were also stocked. The lake and these fish were then allowed to mature for two seasons. Then a 50/50 mix of F1 and Florida bass were stocked - this provides a perfect mix of size and aggressiveness. These fish have matured and fattened for 2 years - they are now approaching 3 pounds and are virtual footballs, fighting like bass twice their size. Here's one from last week (Dec 2012).

Fly Fish GA is proud to a charter member of the CFR Boundary Club and to have been selected as their official guide service. Fishing is limited to members or guide trips with FlyFish GA. A few memberships remain available and members may bring guests.

This is truly fishing like it used to be in the good ol' days, when you knew the folks in the community and could get access to the prime water that was cared for and loved. It may even be better than the good ol' days. Email us or call 706-881-3249
for information on booking a trip or to reserve your day.

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