Smith's Creek?

[chrisfish]

Hello all,

I am visiting family in the N. Ga. area and was wondering how Smith's has been fishing? I am only going to get one chance to fish, and I really enjoy Smith's. Any information that is current would be appreciated. I hope to get out Thursday morning ... but, who knows!

Thank you in advance for all your help. Kudos to all on this board, I have always found everyone helpful.

Chrisfish

P.S. Yes, the steelheading in N. Pa. was so slow I had to come to Ga!

[S.Trutta]

Smiths's has been fishing pretty well lately. The rain we have had the past few days will help it out because it fishes better in higher water. Also, water temps are up into the mid to upper 40's, so the fish are not as sluggish as they would be in a "normal" January.

Hope this helps

P.S. have you fished it at all after the tornado? You might be shocked to see some of the structural changes and how much timber is in the river.

Rich

[vidalia1]

B Kar Ma and I fished Smith's last Friday 1-20-06. We had decent luck as we both netted 4 and missed at least 6 more each. All of mine were on peach buggers (thanks Brent) and a golden flashy bugger I made up. I used at least 1 lead all day, if not more.
It was a great day just being up there. I know you will enjoy it.

Kim Youngblood
(aka vidalia1)

[pschlemm]

and had most of my hits on tiny (<18) flies, but did manage some on Y2K.

[Richie27]

yeah actually I fished it today and did pretty good. I had a lot of luck on a lightin bug and did pretty good. But if you are just looking to catch a lot of fish then tie on a Y2k and you can't go wrong...but really just about any thing will work on smiths..they key is just to get it to tick the bottom so put on enough weight to tick the bottom...and you'll be in the ball game. Good luck

[chrisfish]

I will be looking forward to heading up there! I appreciate the information.
I have not been there since the tornado. I have read a number of reports that many of the holes are going to look quite different. It is truly amazing to see the power of nature.


Chrisfish

[Tuck]

I am heading to Smith's this afternoon. I will report back tomorrow.

Allen

[Richie27]

I wish I could come up and fish with you but I have a flag football game this evening or I'd be up there with you....keep your flies on the bottom...but last night around 5:15 a lil hatch was just coming on so keep an eye out.....also I was looking under some rocks and there were a lot of black stone flies...if you got some around size 14 then try and throw them...hope this helps

[mediaven]

A lot of you guys have voted Smith as one of your top spots on PLT's thread, so I thought I'd try it today. You have my respect.

Hooked and landed 3, but not gracefully. The Smith clearly won today -- in fact, it spanked me. :bang:

Left enough bugs in the stream or in overhead vegetation to stock a fly shop. :confused: Lots of hookups with submerged objects and in the surrounding bushes (especially after freeing nymphs from underwater snags. Going to have to get a second job or learn how to tie!

Would like to blame the wind (heavy gusts at times), or being new to the creek, but it's clear I need help with technique in streams like these.

If there's ever a chance to tag along with someone who really knows the Smith and how to fish it -- I'd love to do it. I only live about 30 miles away, so would like to visit it more often.

[fwhitaker]

I'm trying to decide between Smith's and Chattooga. I think mother nature has making that call for me. Anyone gonna be around?

[Path_Less_Traveled]

mediaven... i feel the same way... Smith DH gets so much pressure, i've (almost) stopped fishing there... would rather go to Dukes or MF Broad... ready to hit the Toog, but waiting for some weather in the 60's and a full day to go.

Also, i think the low temps today had something to do with it... it sure seemed colder than what they had forecasted... the place i went today had very cold water... caught 3 :o

[S.Trutta]

Although I still enjoy smiths creek and try to fish it on a regular basis, I believe the quality has gone down hill from seasons past. My first year in ga was 2000, and smiths seemed to have lots of fish and a decent amount of good fish 15-18+ inches. With the exception of one really hot month 2-3 seasons ago I havent seen hardly any bigger fish, and the catch rates last season and so far this season seem to be much lower. I know that stream like the back of my hand, from top to bottom, and I know what the stream fishes like when its good and where the fish hold, and so far this year i really have been struggling to get hookups. Anybody else think the same thing, or is it just me? All I know is im more and more likely to be heading to Dukes these days...

Rich

[Tuck]

mediaven...I fished Smith's for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon as well. Man, some of those wind gusts were brutal. I only managed 2 SNITS for my efforts but hey, it was better than work :D

Allen

[mediaven]

Tuck, were you the one I talked with at your truck on my way out? You were taking a break before heading back to the stream. You're right -- even in the wind, it's better than working!

[Tuck]

No that wasn't me. I was in a red F-250 crew cab. I did speak to a gentleman from Houshton (sp) as I was leaving but did not get his name.

Let me know when you are going back up that way.

Allen

[NickelCigar]

Lots of above average fish stocked and clearly visible early in the DH. More areas of fish hiding cover, after the tornado, than in years past make fishing a bit tougher. Still fishes very well for a stream that gets pounded day after day IMHO.

[S.Trutta]

I agree that it fishes well considering the pounding it takes. It doesnt take long for those fish to figure out whats going on and get very technical. Whats the best fish you've taken there in the past 2 seasons? I havent caught many nice ones, but i did take a 18 inch brown from there right before the DH ended last year, made my entire year!!


Rich

[chrisfish]

my best fish at Smith's was a brown around 17 inches. But that is not why I am checking in. I began this thread to ask about fishing Smith's this week since I was down visiting relatives. Things have gotten real busy and we are heading back to Pa tommorrow morning. So, with all that in mind I didn't even make it up to Smith's Creek. I apologize for all of the time you put into your responses ... just not enough time to see everyone who needs to be seen and still be ready for the trip home! I hope you all understand. Good luck fishing and take care of our N. Ga. stream! I will continue to report from NW PA on the steelhead season. Until then,

Chrisfish

[NickelCigar]

..... haven't caught a true pig in several seasons and the only fish that sticks out in my mind from last year, fat brown 16-18" on an EHC also towards the end of DH.

Caught bunches early this season when they were stupid, nothing of size when you would think conditions right for a good fish.

Have to agree, fishing has been better but still a way to go in the season, still a nice place to fish.

[Path_Less_Traveled]

Chris... dont worry about starting this thread and not fishing... the thread has kinda taken on a life of its own now ;)

I'll probably do this about Smith, 1) go when the weather warms a little so i can wet-wade/walk the edge on every inch of the stream, 2) go late in the day and use a minnow spinner to coax a brown :cool:

[huntfish]

The first year of DH, there were some bruisers stocked and it was not uncommon to hear about a 5 pound fish being caught. Two years ago, DNR secretly released about 6 brood fish that were over 8 pounds. Ask Shannon at Buckhead Orvis about his battle on a 1 weight. Of course, no camera.

[NickelCigar]

caught one of those slobs two years ago...was weird, didn't feel a srtike just weight. No fight at all, was like stripping in a wet phone book but still made me shake and feel like a big shot for a day. :)

[Path_Less_Traveled]

The Nov. 1 stocking had some nice fish in it (including some nice browns and at least one huge bow)... these Smith DH fish were a good bit larger than the ones we helped stock last friday at the Ami... didnt help with the Dec. Smith stocking, but saw them in the process... the fish appeared to be a little smaller than the original stocking.

[NickelCigar]

that's good to hear, seems like most of my catches on Smiths this year were above average fish. Bet there's some good ones hiding in those caves (under cut banks) just wonder how to coax them out????

[S.Trutta]

Sounds like ive been neglecting smiths a little too much this year. In years past that was my weekly haunt, this year ive only fished it a few times and have been hammering dukes and the ami, with the occasional trip to the nanny. I think ill have to get back and give it an honest shot again, I know all that downed timber and undercut banks are holding some much nicer fish that what ive pulled out of there this season. Nothing is more exciting to me than big fish in small streams, because even when you think you are prepared you arent, they are always a surprise. I got Dukes this weekend with my dad, but im thinking the week after i'll swing by.


Rich

[bugs]

Have you ever fished in Chester County @ PA? Brandywine Creek or French Creek?

Thanks, b