The Hiawassee River or Fightingtown Creek?

[GridWizard]

I am planning a trip with the faimly to the mountains next month. I am considering either The Hiawassee River Lodge or the Dogwood River Inn at Fightingtown Creek. I will be the only fly fisherman, but my two daughters may try some spin fishing.

I need some advice from the knowledgable people. Which location is best from both a fishing standpoint (my priority) and from an accomodation standpoint (my wife and daughters priority)?

I read the recent Hiawassee review thread but have not recently heard much about Fightingtown.

Any advice out there?

[Robert1]

GridWizard:

I went through this same dilemma recently and ultimately decided upon the Hiawassee. The two previous years, we stayed at the DRI. I highly recommend both.

I cannot say enough good things about Richard and Jackie Lumpkin. They are superb people and treated us great when we stayed at DRI. Currently, it is my understanding that they are only leasing Cabin #7. In Feb. 2004, we rented Cabin 7, which is very nice. The fishing in front of the cabin is a little slower, however. We caught fish, but certainly not as many as can be found at the main group of cabins which I believe are stocked more thoroughly. If you want to go to DRI, I would call the Lumpkins and see if you still have access to the full stretch of water, or if you are limited to Cabin #7.

We didn't go to DRI primarily because our wives didn't want us driving off every day to go fish. It' probably 1/2 mile over several hills from Cabin 7 to the main group.

I would say that fish size is very comparable between the Hiawassee and DRI's stretch of Fightingtown. The biggest fish I caught at both was around 20". My buddy claims that he caught a 26" inch trout at DRI in 2003, but I didn't see it, so I don't believe it ;)

I will say that we probably caught more fish in Feb. 2004 at DRI. I probably pulled 8 big fish in an hour from just below the spawing pool there. It was also a very warm day for February, which could have accounted for the increased action.

Our cabin at the Hiawassee was newer than the two cabins we previously rented at DRI. It was very clean, very new and very nice.

Again, the determining factor for us was probably the (very short) drive factor. I guess our wives like to keep an eye on us! In summary, I don't think you can go wrong with either place.

Robert