How do I?

[RICHS07]

How do I know when to go fishing at Jones Bridge based on the water releases from Buford dam?

How do I rig a dry fly/nymph on the same leader?

[RDC3]

When they let the dam go, it travels at about 2-3 mph or thereabouts. My ballpark time frame would be about 4 -5 hours to hit Jones Bridge. Some of the guys could probably better estimate it. you can call the Corps of Engineers and they will tell you when a release is scheduled. The water rises fast and if you get stuck, it ain't fun!

As for the dry fly/nymph, I 've never done it. My personal like is nymphing with a dropper about 18 inches (something like a BHPT with Caddis nymph or similar setup), it works good, but I am a mere piddling novice compared to some of the fellows on the board.
Should their sage advice be offered, heed it well and you will go far on the 'hooch!

[BT]

Richs07, tie your dry fly on as if you were only fishing it then tie on another section of tippet (the same size or smaller) to the bend of the hook on your dry fly. Make sure you use a long enough piece of tippet to get your nymph down. Good luck

[FlygURL]

Saved a past post and use it often. A great post from Jeff Hall and Hooker from the NGTO Message Board.


Approximate time in hours from Buford Dam to :
location miles time
Hwy 20 Bridge 2.5 0.75
Settles Bridge 5.0 1.50
McGinnis Ferry Br. 8.5 3.00
Suwanee Creek 10.00 3.50
Rogers Bridge 11.00 4.00
Abbotts (120) Br. 13.00 4.50
McClure Bridge 14.00 5.00
Medlock Bridge 17.00 6.00
Jones Bridge 19.00 6.50
Holcomb Bridge 23.00 8.00
Island Ford 29.00 10.00
Hwy 19 Bridge 31.00 10.50
Morgan Falls 35.00 11.50

Note >>> the times and milage are just an estimate to the crest of the river . Always call before you float. Buford Dam 770-945-1466 Morgan Falls 404-329-1455

Jeff,
This is good information!
However, just in case new people are reading this post,these times are NOT representative float times between these locations. This is the movement downstream of the water release crest. If you are using this information to gauge float times, multiply the times posted by a factor of 3X. This will get you close depending on your fishing style and the flow rate of the river.
Hooker

[Drifter]

RICHS07 asks:
"How do I know when to go fishing at Jones Bridge based on the water releases from Buford dam?"

RICH,
Another factor to consider is the water clarity. If it's muddy at Abbott's, You'll probably have to go upstream to the dam, Bowman's Island, or the hatchery area to find fishable water.

The Drifter

[RICHS07]

FlyGuy.....thanks. If it takes 6.5 hours for the crest to reach Jones Bridge, when would the water be considered fishable? (mainly for wading).

[RICHS07]

FlyGuy.....thanks. If it takes 6.5 hours for the crest to reach Jones Bridge, when would the water be considered fishable? (mainly for wading).

[Flyguy]

Rich....

Once the water peeks at JB it will take some where around 12-14 hours to go back down and at time longer depending on the water level before they started generation. You also have to figure in the factor of time the water is generated after it peek's.

Example: If they start generating at 12:00am and stop at 3:00am the water would peek at JB around 6:00 or so. Then you have to figure they will stop at 3:00am and from this point it will take around 12 to 14 hours or so to drop back down which puts you in the river somewhere between 3:00 and 5:00pm. The crest or peek is no really a factor here...its the point and time at which they stop generating.

770-945-1466 Generation release schedule for the lower Hooch.



Flyguy