Need info for a true novice

[Cawley]

I am new to the area and I want to find ot where to begin.

I am close to Buford dam and am interested in fishing that stretch. I have been fishing lakes all my life and I want to know about the strtch from the dam to HWy 20 bridge. What are the rules/regs? What are they biting? Can you use live bait?
I am using ultr light spinning gear. I haven't gotten in to fly fishing yet!

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

[wefurr]

Welcome Cawley:

There are many stocked trout from the dam to Hwy 20 but before you start
fishing here, unless it will be from the bank only, be sure that you are wearing a PDF and have a float tube.
This area is very very slippery.

I will let others guide you regarding spin gear.

[skibum]

You can throw most anything. Live bait may be limited to worms or crickets, not sure. Panther Martins have always been my fav. Black and Gold and/or both.. Another nice trick is cutting the treble hook off, add a splitshot ring, and then stop by a flyshop and pick up a Wolley Bugger in olive.. Gives a lil more action in the water and you wont miss much with the single hook. Helps the fish out too. Plus is Delayed Harvest section friendly, but thats another story and section of water.. BE VERY CAREFUL wading the dam!! Rocks are slick as glass and you will get wet!!.. PDF is the law, Tube is only if you value yourself dry ;)

More help to come on this i'm sure...

Welcome!!!

[baldea]

Welcome aboard!

If you haven't gathered, those rocks below the dam are slippery. Its a common theme so far for good reason. The only other thing that I can add is wear felted shoes when you are wading! I never realized how much a little felt could help.

Also, check the water temps in the river. For some the water is a bit chilly so dress appropriately. A tube also helps if you are not familiar with the water. There are some deep runs that you can get in over your head pretty quickly. Nothing ruins a good day fishing than being wet and cold.

One last thing, call 770 945-1466 for the water release schedule. The water rises fast! You can get into some serious problems very quickly if your not aware and out on the water when they start generating.

[SlckTrck]

Click Here - DNR Trout Stream Info and Regs (http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=34)

This is a good place to start about the regs.

Be careful and stay dry!! :)

[Cawley]

You guys are great. A friend told me that this is the best way to find out stuff around here.

One last question.............
Someone told me about going and fishing near the hatchery, is this a better bet than the dam?????????

Thanks for all the info.

[Bob M]

Not really. It's good all through there. I've been avoiding right up by the dam until fall turnover is done. I prefer to have at least a rapid or two between me and the dam to get the oxygen levels back to norm.

Get yourself a float tube. Some of the best water is away from the access points. It's also a bit more peaceful away from the crowds. It is artificial only below GA 20, so plan on spinners, plugs, and spoons and don't have any bait or scented lures in your posession when fishing that stretch. Use that float tube carefully.

BTW I live up that way and may see you around. The next few weeks are a problem for finding fishing days.

Welcome to the mad house.

Bob

[Bob M]

By the way, I have a few 'guest tubes'. Maybe we can get together sometime and fish.

[MickeyFinn]

For very little money you can get a good Ultralight rod and reel. Berkley makes a 5' rod("Lightening Rod" is their current model name)that is light as a feather, casts well, and will land big fish as well as small. My grandson caught and landed a 35" , 25 lb carp on mine this summer.( I couldnt beleive it, either, but we got the picture to prove it). Caught a few trout in the Hooch, too, on 1/32 and 1/16oz Panther Martin spinners. Good performance all around. BPS sells them for @$30!

BPS also sells a Quantum XL 005S Ultralight reel for @$35. Works fine.

Buy two rods and reels at that price. You can pay more, but these work. I used my first rod/reel very hard for 5 yrs, no problems, then changed last year to the above setup. This is ULTRAlight, not merely a lightweight spininng outfit. There is a world of difference IMO. Ultralight is a blast. A 1 1/2 lb bream on Ultralight can get you juiced in a hurry. Same for trout or bass. Its not flyfishing, but its fun, too.

[Cawley]

I've done a lot of UL fishing in the past. I used to spend two days a week shooting docks for crappie. Caught a 2 pounder last year. Send me your email and I'll send pic.

Also, I have dabbled with the carp before too. UL is a blast with a big one. Caught a 24 lb one on 4 lb test a few years ago and numerous 15 pounders.

I use a fenwick rod and mitchell reel primarily.

Good luck and good fishing.

[GUTHOOKED]

The only restriction on live bait between the dam and Hwy 20 is that you cannot use minnows. Downstream of 20 to Medlock Bridge no live bait is allowed.

In addition to spinners and bait, small plugs such as the Rapala minnow and Yozuri Pin Minnow can be quite effective. Spoons like Little Cleos, Dardevils, and Kastmasters will clobber them at times as well.

There are four primary access points to this section of the river - one on either side of the dam, one at the hatchery, and Hwy 20. I would recommend coming in from Hwy 20. There is a trail running upstream from the Buford end of the bridge that will take you up almost to the hatchery. Parking can be a problem if you're not creative ;), but there's usually few people and lots of fish in that section, plus nobody's running you out at 5:00 or whatever time they close the gates at the dam now. Also, you can fish this section easily from the bank with spinning gear, whereas you pretty much have to wade the stretch up closer to the dam.