Conasauga 2 Feb 07

[bigredthe2]

Hey guys,

I headed up with a few buddies this weekend to the Conasauga and hiked in at Hickory Creek trail head. We camped along Hickory Creek and I crossed the Conasauga where Hickory enters it. I waded and fished downstream from there for several hours with absolutely no luck. I tried a variety of things--wooly buggers, soft hackles, yellow humpy (as indicator) with various nymphs dropped off the back. It was quite a humbling experience having gotten used to the hooch. At the same time, that country is so amazing that catching a trout would have been a cherry on the top.

Has anyone wet a line there lately, or in the past? If so, does anyone know if I was even fishing a section that would have given me a chance to hook into something? I plan on heading back there soon, and any advice would be appreciated!

[Murray trout bum]

bigredthe2,
I have only fished the head waters a couple of times. I was at the same section last Labor Day. What a long hike for a one day trip. They were alot of trout in every deep pool, but they would not take anything. The water temp. was in the 70's so I did not bother them much. All the tributary creeks were very, very low and some spots were even dried up. Some friends tell me that spring and early summer is a good time to fish it. Their is a wonderful green drake hatch at about that time. Watch out for the copperheads in that area,I nearly stepped on one. It is a shame I do not fish it more, I only live about 30 minutes from the trail head.

[nuggetlegs]

What was the weather like up there and how was the water (clarity, flow, temperature, etc.)?

[bigredthe2]

Hey nuggetlegs, the weather was atypically warm. I think it was in the mid 60's during the day. It cooled off significantly at night. As for the water, I've never been there before so I'm not sure how the flow was relative to normal, but I'd say looking at waterlines it was right at normal. It was really cold (didn't have a thermometer) and crystal clear. Didn't see much in the way of hatches or any other signs of life!

Murray, I appreciate the info. It certainly is a long hike in for a one day trip but it'd be worth it to land a trout there! I'll probably try a few more times this winter and hope to learn something before spring and summer. Thanks for the heads up regarding copperheads!

[Sal V Linus]

I have fished the headwaters a number of times from the Hickory Creek trail. I mostly fished small sulphurs early and late (mainly so I could see in low light) and stimulators with a dropper during the day through the warmer months. My trophy is a 9" brown. I average about 3-4 fish on a good day fishing up there. You are right, the fish are just a bonus because of the beautiful setting. I have been reluctant to return after my last two trips because of reptile encounters. My Lab was bitten by a copperhead on hike in this past spring and we ran in to a 4'+ rattlesnake on hike out with our daughter on my back the last time. Everyone is OK, but it has become a late fall and very early spring spot for me. I would rather buy a nice fly rod than have another $400 vet bill or doctor bill for that matter. :)

[bronson01]

I second that on the copperheads, if it's warm out watch for them to be laying close to and sometimes in the water, I ran in to a three footer close to there last year.