Heading to the Ami tomorrow...

[Gillseeker]

Wish me luck and pray I don't freeze!!!

[huntfish]

It will be cold, I'm heading further north but will be prepared. For all coldwater fisherpeople. Please remember to pack additional clothing in case you get wet. Hypthermia can set in really quick and I've already donated clothes to 2 guys on the hooch cause they flipped.

Be prepared. Winter fishing is awesome, but it can get you in a bad spot very quickly.

[S.Trutta]

I agree with Russ, fishing in the winter can be some of the most exciting fishing all year, just make sure you dress very warm and bring extra clothes in case you take a spill into the drink. I have also found that wearing a windproof fleece or wading jacket over insulation layers really makes a difference, nothing make you feel colder than a stiff wind robbing you of your body heat!!
Goodluck and let us know how you do....I got spanked by the ami on sunday at the 53 bridge.

Rich

[Gillseeker]

Fished from the Steel Bridge down a ways and stayed there from about 8 until 10. I had never been there so started out in the deep hole by the bridge. Trout were hitting the top so I went dry with no luck. I just started flyfishing so I really couldn't get a cast far enough out. Tied on a hot pink Y2K with a small splitshot about 18 inches up and WHAM!!! I swear to you, every cast was a fish or a strike. In 2 hours I landed about 60 fish with the longest being about 18 inches. I caught two bows that still had flys from another fisherman hooked in the jaw. (Thanks but shame on you for not going barbless). I wish I could have stayed but by 10 I was absolutely frozen and my hands could not tie a fly on so I headed back home. This place is an hour from my house and I think I have found a pretty good spot.

I hooked on a small bow and as I was playing him into my hand, a pretty big brown was right behind him, I guess trying to get an easy meal. It was the only brown I saw all day.

Dan

[spinboy]

I didn't know more about the AMI sooner. That is an incredible winter stream. Now somebody just do some magic and cool the water down in the summer so I can go to a great stream that is so close by all year. That would keep the local idiots out of the deep holes too :D

[Gillseeker]

I used 2 flies the entire time...both hot pink Y2K's. The first one just got torn to shreds and I had to tie another on. Spinboy...you were right on with the color. I started with that and it worked so well I didn't need to change. I did try and Adams attractor to start with but just threw it a few times before I went deep.

Dan

[River rat]

Dad of 7, you must have been the person my friend talked to before I arrived.
We did well also. Little chilly, but had a great time.
If you ever venture to Destin for a charter boat trip, the guy you spoke to is probably one of the best charter captains in Destin. His boat is the Phoenix.

[Johnny]

In 2 hours I landed about 60 fish with the longest being about 18 inches.
Dan

Hmmm, different strokes for different folks I guess but catching a fish every 120 seconds for two hours straight sounds a lot like work to me.

Later,
Johnny

[Gillseeker]

Work was what YOU were doing while I was fishing. Course I didn't have a watch or a counter so who knows the exact number. I could have been on the creek at 7:30 and maybe it was only 55 fish. To each his own, I guess. If I was stuck at work reading about a guy that had a good day on the river I guess I'd try and rain on his parade, too.

AAAANNNYYYWAY...

River Rat...I wanted to stay and chat with your buddy but my lips were frozen and I was having trouble talking! :D . I do take customers deep sea fishing sometimes and I would love to use your friend. I'm sorry I missed you. I would have liked to meet you after reading and responding to your posts. I have been using the Anistasia for the past 10 years but the captain is a little on the rough side. Last time one of his sons took us out, though. Ill look him up

What were you guys fishing?

Dan

[Nolzman]

Dad of 7,

I live in the Woodstock area also. Where did you buy the hot pink Y2K's. I've been looking for somewhere to buy those.

Thanks.

[Gillseeker]

Flybox Outfitters on Barrett Parkway. Same shopping center as Hobby Lobby and Play It Again Sports. It's really like a cheater fly kinda like a trout chow fly but the bows were killin it.

Dan

PS...if you want to go up to the Ami call me. I fish on Wednesday.

[Nolzman]

Thanks. I thought that you might have got them there, just don't remember Hot Pink. Will have to go get me some. I think I am heading up to the Ami Saturday morning.

[Gillseeker]

It could have been The Fishhawk in Buckhead. Dude, I have 7 kids. Half the time I leave the house without my wallet and cell phone. One day I got to work and had no shoes. Wal Mart doesn't carry size 15. That was a 150 buck mistake!

Dan

[River rat]

WBoogers, Hotwire Prince's, Pink San Juan's.
Tried many Captains over the years in Destin. I was refered to the Phoenix by a friend. Wow! I could not believe the amount of fish this guy put us on.
Been fishing with him for years now. Rarely are we disapointed. And he loves to trout fish in Ga!

[Gillseeker]

All i had was red so I didn't try those. Besides, the Y2K's were working so well why switch. I did find 2 Princes in the mouths of a couple of bows. so I know those had been working sometime...lol. I would like to have had some of Rob's Berry flies but I couldn't get to the Fishhawk before I went.

Dan

Is there another deep hole on down the river? I thought about maybe teaming up with someone and fishing the entire stretch one day. Park one at 53 and another at Steel Bridge. Is it deep enough to use my tube on down stream?

Dan

[matchbx]

I have only found one site that carrys Y2K's online. The English Fly Fishing Shop (http://business.virgin.net/british.classic/nymphs-YK2bug.htm)

The only color they have is yellow and orange. The pictures on the site don't do them justice as you can't see the orange at all.

Their web site is a little strange to order from, but they do offer free shipping.

I bought 5 here while back and didn't have any problems with them. I just wish they'd carry the hot pink ones.

[THE EG]

...a few days back.

Dad of 7,

Check the fourth post on this thread. If no folks bucket brigade the fish up or down river, they are placed wherever that stocking pipe from the truck will reach. In the case of the Steele Bridge it is in that first deep pool. I think you received the benefit of that recent stocking. Some fish will spread out and get smart making it a bit harder as time goes by.

That first hole is a good place where I take my kids spinfishing though. The trout magnet jigs (looks like a short rubber worn) work well there.

www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53423&referrerid=7292 (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53423&referrerid=7292)

[Gillseeker]

I only went a little ways downstream. Are there anymore holes holding larger fish on down? Is the creek cold enough to have trout year 'round? I'm wondering because it's so close to home it might be a good place to go this spring and summer.

As far as the bucket brigade, howcan you volunteer for this? I think it would be a good thing for my son and I to do. Show him how all ofthis is done.

Dan

[MossyOak]

Now I know AMI is close to me, but for the life of me,Where is it !! ?
And where are you going on it?
Signed, Dummy ;)

[S.Trutta]

From Ellijay head East on 53, and then turn right onto Sweetwater Juno Rd. Take that down for a ways and turn left onto Steel Bridge Rd. That will take you right to the bridge, which is the upper most point of the DH. There is a big hole by the bridge and some pretty decent water down below that. The other section to try is the 53 bridge. To get there, go the same way as before, except once on Sweetwater Juno Rd dont turn left on Steel Bridge Rd. Continue straight for several miles, and then turn right at the stop sign. A mile down on your right and thats the 53 bridge. Thats the bottom of the DH, from the bridge up is DH and beautiful water continues up for a long ways. Hope this helps.

Rich

[MossyOak]

You are the man, thx for the directions !

[THE EG]

S.Trutta,

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure it is Hwy 52 out of Ellijay turning into Hwy 183 where you turn right onto Sweetwater-Juno Road (small church across from intersection as a reference). Also, I think coming from the north like that on S-J Road you turn to the right onto Steele Bridge Road (a dirt road). The bridge is up a couple hundred yards. Cross over the bridge and there is a parking lot on the left that gives good access to that pool.

As you said to get to the lower end continue on S-J Road until it ends at Hwy 53 and turn back to the right and the parking lot is just before the river on the right.

For folks that haven't been there in a couple years, you now have to park at the top of the road and walk down to the bottom (where the ranger station used to be).

I'm just trying to keep from confusing MossyOak. The confusing part is Hwy 53 is how folks come from the south to get to the Amicalola. Then you just reverse all those directions.

Dad of 7,

The stream will be catch and keep come May 15th. Except for the really smart fish it will be void of fish within about a week. That's OK though because the river becomes pretty warm in the summer and very few fish survive the high temps. That is why it was chosen as a winter DH stream. It is marginal at best. Makes for a win/win situation throughout the year between the C&R and C&K folks.

Besides, that big pool you are talking about becomes the Lake Lanier Islands of the immediate region during the summer.;) Fishing tubes are replaced by pink and baby blue tubes.

Below that pool the river is skinny for a while then it gets deep in areas but you can walk the whole length of the river if you pay attention and stay out of the drop-offs.

[THE EG]

BTW:

The links to the left ( for most:)) have a "Maps" section that contains all of the DH rivers in Georgia.

[Gillseeker]

I go up I-575 until it turns into Hwy 5 toward Jasper and Ellijay. I turn right onto Hwy 53 which goes into Tate, GA. I pass Tate and go about 5 miles and turn left onto Amicalola Church Rd. Then I turn right onto Steel Bridge Rd. It is paved for about a mile then turns to dirt. Right before the bridge on the right is a parking lot.

I was absolutely all alone in the forest for about 2 hours and I coulda sworn I heard dueling banjos.... ;)

Dan

[Gillseeker]

I saw Buck Henry today and purchased a rod for my son from him. He is going up there Wednesday morning and my son and I are also going to be there Wednesday morning so Mossy, if you want to meet us up there we'll be in the parking lot at about 7:45ish. I'm taking Levi so I will be spin fishing probably but I'll bring the flyrod to practice so in the big pool. I saw the Sexyloops.com video on doublehauling and I want to try it!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!

Dan

[johnnysstuff]

Well I am new on here but you guys are doing some of my favorite pass time stuff....Fishing...I live in Florida but visit in North Georgia sometimes and don't get to trout fish much.
Would anybody care to tell another fisherman where to go and what I need to have as far as fishing tackel or bait to use..don't forget that I really don't know how to fish for trout there...so I'll need some when where and how details
Thanks,
Johnny

[Counslrman]

Do you visit any one particular area or town in North GA?
jimmy

[johnnysstuff]

No But thats what I am looking for the best place to fish in N.Ga. keep in mind here I am a beginner for trout fishing but I do fish a lot in Florida.
I kinda like the out of the way places.
Also need some tips on where to stay I like to stay for at least a week at the time.
Johnnyss