Jacks River

[BigSlim]

Gentlemen,

A friend and I are planning on taking our 11 and 13 year old boys for a little hiking and fishing this coming weekend. We were thinking of Jack River for some nice hiking and hopefully some less-than-crowded fishing. Any thoughts on specific places to go and/or avoid?

Many thanks,
JB

[Jimmy Harris]

JB,

The Jacks is a great river; so unlike most other streams in this area. Wild fish, no stocking. Beautiful and remote. Keep the remoteness in mind when planning a trip for your kids. Access is not easy and, of course, you've got to climb out at the end of the day. At your kids' ages, you don't want to them to have a cool fishing trip turn into an ordeal. Take a look at a USFS map or a topo map before going just to see if this is what you want to do. May want to get a copy of Jimmy Jacobs' book before you head out. It will give you an idea of what to expect from the fishing and the hike in and out.

[Milton]

I'm not Unicoi Outfitters, but:

For a day-trip, I'd suggest you go in on the Jacks River Trail from Dally Gap, at the upstream end. If memory serves, it only takes about forty-five minutes to get to the river that way, and this time of year the water might be a bit cooler than farther downstream. It's uphill on the way out, but not steep.


-Milton

[This message has been edited by Milton (edited 06-23-2004).]

[BigSlim]

Thanks for the responses. The kids we'll be taking have hiked almost all of the AT in GA, so we're actually thinking this will be an "easy" trip for them. They'll probably be going with worms, crickets, etc., but I'll try my hand with the fly rod. Any thoughts on which flies might bring some chance of success?

Thanks again,
JB

[Jimmy Harris]

One of our guides, Butch Martin, has a cabin at the confluence of the Jacks and Little Conasauga so he's spent a lot of time fishing the Jacks. His go to fly there is a California Wulff. Looks just like a Royal Wulff but has a yellow band. Drop a pheasant tail or hares ear off the back and you can't go wrong.

[BigSlim]

Jimmy,

Thanks again for your replies and the tips. Assuming we don't get rained out (the Armuchee Ranger Station tells me it's been "pouring" there all week), I'll be sure to let you know how we do.

JB