Dukes Creek

[Gillseeker]

Is there any public access to Dukes Creek that is not in Smithgall Woods? I'd like to fish Dukes but not be limited to 3 days a week. I'm sure that when it rains trout get washed downstream to parts of the creek that aren't in the park or maybe there is some public water above the private area ofthe Lodge.

And while I'm on this subject, has anyone ever stayed at the lodge at SGW and fished the private water there? If so let me know how it was. I want to take my wife for a weekend before the baby is born and thought about that place.

Dan

[spinboy]

You can fish Duke's off the property but only upstream. One of the older gentlemen rangers said to me the last time I was there not to go downstream of the property period because I would certainly get shot. :eek: ...and he was serious. It empties in the Hooch not too far from Smithgall anyway.

Upstream access is difficult and done by a hiking trail off some strange road...uh...I think it might be 318? Wherever the trail "Duke's Creek Falls" is.....I have a book that I rely on for directions to streams in Georgia and it says that the fishing there is suspect. You can catch some pretty wild fish but they are small and a fly rod is next to impossible to use up there. It also says it's over a 2 mile hike uphill.

I couldn't tell you about the private water or the lodge but I hope that helps.

[threejack]

so is dad of seven soon to be dad of eight??

i have one on the way myself... our first
that's why i'm trying to get some fishing in now.

[Jimmy Harris]

You can access Dukes Creek in the vicinity of the falls parking lot. However, it has been our experience that most anglers who try this end up coming out with a broken rod; not from the fish but from the climb in or out. Seriously, just be aware of the hazards of the trip.

I've fished and guided on the stretch of creek in the compound area around the cabins. I would much rather fish the rest of the stream than that section. When you stay at the cabins, you have access to all of section 1 regardless of what day of the week you are staying there. As for the cabins and the service, it's world class. It's the best place in north Georgia. Accomodations, service, food, everything is top notch. And this is from a government run facility. You won't find better. We have put up the ESPN crew at Smithgall for the past several years and they say it's the best place they've stayed in; and they have stayed in some of the premier resorts around the country.

[Johnny]

Is there any public access to Dukes Creek that is not in Smithgall Woods?
Dan

You can access Dukes Creek upstream of Smithgall Woods via the Dukes Creek Falls trail. Take the Richard B. Russell Parkway (hi-way 348) north from its intersection with hi-way 75 alternate. The parking lot for the trail head will be on the LH side of the road and is well marked. Hike down the trail a 1/2 mile or so until you come to a "T". Turning right will take you to the falls. Instead, turn left and that section of the trail will take you down to the fence that marks the border of Smithgall Woods. Turn right and bushwhack along beside the fence and you'll eventually come to the creek. From there you can fish back upstream all the way to the falls if you have the time and stamina.

If you want to give it a try I'd recommend wearing hiking boots and carrying your waders and wading boots in a backpack and your rod in a rod case. If you fish very far upstream and decide to come out without backtracking you'll find that it's steep enough in places that you'll be on your knees pulling yourself up the hillside.

It's a beautiful place to fish - no trails and no litter, but we didn't find any large fish either that had moved upstream.

As to staying in the lodging at Smithgall Woods, Jimmy's comments are on the mark. There are a couple of runs/pools up around the lodge that hold fish but the best part of the stay, in my opinion, is having access to the rest of creek when others haven't been there hammering the fish first. (That is, if you're there on the non public days.)

Later,
Johnny

[Trout8myfly]

Dan, I fished Dukes in April and stayed with a friend in one of the "cabins" which are more like houses. And are terriffic.

We had our own bedroom in a 3-BR cabin with a huge kitchen, dining area and large living room. The back deck overlooked a small waterfall and pool and when we'd chuck trout chow from the deck the fish would go nuts. And we went nuts because those monsters WOULD NOT TAKE A DURN THING from our fly boxes. Harrumph.

But the cabins were very very nice. Can't say anything about the food because the dining hall was closed that weekend.

I'm betting your wife would like it...beautiful place.

George S.

[Gillseeker]

I have one of those trout chow flies.....mmmmm...delicious!!

[Jimmy Harris]

One other comment: Dukes Creek above Smithgall Woods is a seasonal stream.

[Gillseeker]

Are there any fish up there in season?

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Hey Bucketof7 :D ... you can fish Dukes above the falls (Dodd Creek) by parking at Raven Cliffs parking lot (just past Dukes Falls parking lot)... the stream is real easy to get in and fish from there almost to the falls... However, watch out further downstream... there are some tricky falls and shoals above Dukes Falls (dont try to climb up between the two waterfalls at Dukes :eek: ) ... the only problem is that the fishing isnt worth a darn there (imo)... small fish and not many of them.... i'll try to pm you later about an easier way to get to the section mentioned in the other post ;)

If you're looking for "washdowns" of some hawgs, i can pm you at least 3 places to go... sure there are more... i just discovered one the other day that has some of that potential ;)