I have been surprised with a trip to Blue Ridge GA. I want to build fly rods for me and my Grandfather. I have only fly fished in the Olympic mountains and have no idea what weight or length of rod will be needed in Blue ridge.

My main questions are as follows:

1. What weight rod and line for the trout in this area?

2. Rod length? Is it tight quarters or open?

Thanks in advance.

A.P.

Need more information! That area has mountain streams and big rivers, the needs for those are different. Do you have any idea of the type of fishing you will be doing?

I believe we will be in the Toccoa near Curtis Switch. I have never been to or scouted the area so I have no idea what I am getting into.

If needed I can make one for the main river and one for the smaller streams.

I just confirmed we will be on the river. No tiny streams this trip.

Edit: I am not a huge fly fisherman so any information you need you need to ask specifically so I can answer. I dabbled in small stream rainbows in the PNW but never got heavy into it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2021 01:20PM by Aaron Petersen.

I suggest a 9ft 6wt rod for that river, some nice sized rainbows.

Yowch. I would think a 6 weight might be a bit heavy. We fish the Yakima River here in Washington about 50 days a year and they have some 20-24" Rainbows with the average fish about 12-16". I use a 4 wt fly rod mainly. - I have it paired with a 5 wt. line as I find it casts better. If the wind is blowing pretty good I might go to my 5 wt. The only time we use a 6 wt. is when we are chucking big ol' heavy streamers. A 5 wt. rod is considered one of the most versatile rods out there and what most people who either are new to fly fishing or don't fish that often buy. It can cover the small guys to the bigger guys. I went to Chile to fish and mainly used a 5 wt rod for those bad boys.

I didn't look at the size of the fish where you are going but unless they are consistently big, fat, strong lunkers I would go with a 5 wt. rod. Just my opinion and at the end of the day just do what you think fits your overall program best.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2021 04:44PM by Philip Bogardus.

Ok - I quit being lazy and I went and looked up the Toccoa River.

I found this information on a Google search: This post is in reference to a 6 wt. rod "That outfit is a little on the heavy side for most North Georgia streams. It would work well on big rivers like the Toccoa, Hiwassee, Chattahoochee, especially if you are chucking streamers. For most North Georgia water, a 5-weight would be sufficient and the most versatile. You could throw streamers, dries and nymphs with a decent presentation. With that said, I’d opt for a 4-weight 9 footer."

I looked on a couple guide shop websites and from the pictures of fish I saw on a couple websites I would go with a 5 weight. Remember that the pictures posted on fly fishing guide website are the big ones people caught. Those sized fish are most likely not the norm and when you hook one it will be a blast on a 5 wt. I still think at the end of the day the 5 weight will work fine on the Toccoa and will be a great rod for you on future fly fishing adventures. Also, if you need a bigger rod the guides will most likely have those for you to use. Have fun - that looks like a great place to fish



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2021 05:07PM by Philip Bogardus.

When I go somewhere that I have never river fished before, I will bring a 9' 5wt fast action rod. The other thing I bring is the Lamson Liquid 3 pack that I have in the 7wt+ size. I use 8wt reels on my 5wts because of the spool diameter. I will spool a WF 5 F on one spool, WF 6 F on another and a 5wt intermediate on the 3rd spool. Modern fast blanks like TFO BVK, NFC LMX, Sage One and others can accommodate a line size over their rating very well. I have caught some fairly large fish on just a 5 wt. If they are larger fish, just adjust your leader accordingly. If it will be windy consider a 8.5' rod. This is what I would use to keep it light without bringing another rod. I also have a Fish Pond waterproof sling that will hold everything and a couple of sandwiches and drinks. They are kind of expensive but I use it every time I go fishing so it is worth it and keeps your stuff dry and can stay on your side/back while fishing. Sounds like a fun trip.

I should have said this to begin with - Call a local fly fishing shop and ask them what is typically used. Those guys can be a great help.

Thanks everyone.

I called a local place and they mentioned a 4 piece 5 wt between 8" and 9" being a good versatile rod for the area.

Philip Bogardus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ok - I quit being lazy and I went and looked up
> the Toccoa River.
>
> I found this information on a Google search: This
> post is in reference to a 6 wt. rod "That outfit
> is a little on the heavy side for most North
> Georgia streams. It would work well on big rivers
> like the Toccoa, Hiwassee, Chattahoochee,
> especially if you are chucking streamers. For
> most North Georgia water, a 5-weight would be
> sufficient and the most versatile. You could throw
> streamers, dries and nymphs with a decent
> presentation. With that said, I’d opt for a
> 4-weight 9 footer."
>
> I looked on a couple guide shop websites and from
> the pictures of fish I saw on a couple websites I
> would go with a 5 weight. Remember that the
> pictures posted on fly fishing guide website are
> the big ones people caught. Those sized fish are
> most likely not the norm and when you hook one it
> will be a blast on a 5 wt. I still think at the
> end of the day the 5 weight will work fine on the
> Toccoa and will be a great rod for you on future
> fly fishing adventures. Also, if you need a
> bigger rod the guides will most likely have those
> for you to use. Have fun - that looks like a
> great place to fish

I think I found similar articles on the local chamber sites.

Aaron -

Go with the 9' long rod instead of the 8 or 8-1/2 long rod. You will be able to use it for dry flies and nymphing. When working it as a nymph rig the extra 6-12" of length over shorter rods will be a big plus. This is why I use dedicated 10' 4 wt. rods in my drift boat over the shorter 9' rods for when the nymphing action is on.

I believe that the nine foot, five weight rod is probably the most versatile one in existence for trout. Just like Philip and many others with some years of fishing, I most often prefer a four weight. However, if I had to own only one fly rod I might recant to a five weight. This configuration is great on a bigger river and in the wind, while not being a complete moose on a smaller stream. The four weight on a bigger river is better in the hands of an experienced person. The six weight will seem pretty heavy for many trout applications after an angler is seasoned by a few quality trips. It seems like Aaron’s needs are right in the five weight ballpark.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2022 02:45AM by Kendall Cikanek.