Float JB to Garrads?

FlygURL · 07-18-07, 10:07 PM

Don't get to fish nearly as much as I did before Julia came along, so it is a big deal to me when I get to go. Planning to float JB to Garrards on an upcoming weekend in my pontoon. Any tips? Flies? I've not floated to Garrards before - anything I should know?

duluthgator · 07-19-07, 12:00 AM

There is a LOT of mud at the takeout.

FlygURL · 07-19-07, 06:08 AM

On the ramp?

Eric Cook · 07-19-07, 07:45 AM

Beth,

That is a nice section to float with the exception of the take out. The last time I did that float was about a year ago but I assume it is much the same. Yes there was a lot of mud on the ramp and I had to use a long rope to pull the pontoon up the ramp while I was walking up the riprap on the south side of the ramp. As for the approach to the ramp it isn't easy either. You have to stay river left (ramp is on river right) after the bridge to get around the old bridge. Fortunately, the "quick" water in front of the pump station will push you back to river right. But don't let it push you too far because there was a large tree just before the ramp that you have get around. After the tree you have to make a hard right to keep from missing the ramp!

Hopefully your experience at the take out won't be as bad as mine. It probably would not have been as bad for me if it hadn't started to rain about midway through and I had started earlier. It was getting dark before I even got to the bridge (partly from the cloud cover).

Eric

B983 · 07-19-07, 10:31 AM

Beth, The above posts are on target, Just plan on getting a "little" mud when getting out. The water release makes for a fun little rapid in the toon. We normally stop under the bridge and secure all the fishing stuff, Then enjoy the rapid. As long as you are ready to row when you hit the calm water you should not have a problem missing the take out. I row the toon up the take out as far as I can get it, In order to avoid as much of the mud/muck as you can. Let us know when you are planning on going and maybe the schedule will allow me to join you.
The water is a nice variety during the float, You have several nice sets of shoals followed by deeper slower water. It has been a while since I fished this section so I cannot give a current hot fly selection.
Tight Lines
Brent

knot trying · 07-19-07, 12:03 PM

I suggest BH Olive Wooly Buggers size 8 - 12. That stretch is full of stockers. If you want to try something smaller, 16-18 BH Prince.

If the bwo's are coming off, you will want a size 20-22.

The most productive stretch is probably from the boat ramp to the Judge shoals.

Once you pass Rivermont, you should be able to walk all the way to HB. That is all sand and not very "fishy".

Tight lines.

duluthgator · 07-20-07, 11:37 PM

Beth, my son and I floated it a month ago in a canoe. The large tree is still there right before the takeout and there is still a ton of mud on the ramp. One of us slipped and got pretty messy.

FlygURL · 07-31-07, 06:17 PM

Lessons Learned by the folks who floated Saturday:
# Always check your tube/toon. Especially your oar locks/sleeves and air valves caps
# Keep a Leatherman type tool in your vest that includes a screwdriver.
# Always keep your rod down when leaving the banks and shore especially around trees.
# Be sure you have great people with you.

We put in at the canoe launch at JB. Just before the boat ramp, I realized that my left pontoon had lost a lot of air. You see, one of my air valve caps was missing and my cup holder apparently was releasing air when I swiveled my seat. Once I realized this, I moved my one cap to the cup holder side. No more air loss.

The other "lessons learned" were from other floaters in our party.

Oh yeah, when we were getting out at Garrards, which was a bit muddy, but tolerable, there was a family of kayakers. They did not have enough PFDs for the number of folks they had. Julie and I gave them ours, especially since DNR was checking. Some boaters are so silly to try to get on the water without enough PFDs. These folks were supposed to contact us to return the PFDs, but they have not yet. Oh well - maybe they'll make sure to have enough for everyone next time.

And the fishing, well, not spectacular, but good. Fish were deep and a few browns were caught too - golden treasures. Green WB, Black WB, and BH Pheasant Tails were key for many of us.

Fire Walker · 07-31-07, 10:15 PM

Try a sink tip with a bugger and prince. The Hydro has been fishing these same flies for years down there on our "Home" strech. You basically float through all of the spots we talk about in our post. Between all us us we are close to 10,000 posts

Anyway, This time of year there in deep, moving water. Glad to hear you were able to get out on the river. Did I mention we live on the river now?

See ya

H2OEng · 08-01-07, 12:58 PM

What's the float time? I picked up a 2 person kayak last week at the right price (free) so I'm looking to try it out this weekend.

07-18-07, 10:07 PM	#1
FlygURL Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Moderator Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 2,115	Float JB to Garrads? Don't get to fish nearly as much as I did before Julia came along, so it is a big deal to me when I get to go. Planning to float JB to Garrards on an upcoming weekend in my pontoon. Any tips? Flies? I've not floated to Garrards before - anything I should know? __________________ FlygURL Georgia Women Flyfishers Tailwater Chapter Trout Unlimited "Just out there trying to make a difference in a trout's life."

07-19-07, 06:08 AM	#3
FlygURL Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Moderator Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 2,115	On the ramp? __________________ FlygURL Georgia Women Flyfishers Tailwater Chapter Trout Unlimited "Just out there trying to make a difference in a trout's life."

07-19-07, 10:31 AM	#5
B983 Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oxford, Ga Posts: 2,299	Fishing, Rafting & Muddin' Beth, The above posts are on target, Just plan on getting a "little" mud when getting out. The water release makes for a fun little rapid in the toon. We normally stop under the bridge and secure all the fishing stuff, Then enjoy the rapid. As long as you are ready to row when you hit the calm water you should not have a problem missing the take out. I row the toon up the take out as far as I can get it, In order to avoid as much of the mud/muck as you can. Let us know when you are planning on going and maybe the schedule will allow me to join you. The water is a nice variety during the float, You have several nice sets of shoals followed by deeper slower water. It has been a while since I fished this section so I cannot give a current hot fly selection. Tight Lines Brent

07-19-07, 12:03 PM	#6
knot trying Native Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 1,017	Fly selection... I suggest BH Olive Wooly Buggers size 8 - 12. That stretch is full of stockers. If you want to try something smaller, 16-18 BH Prince. If the bwo's are coming off, you will want a size 20-22. The most productive stretch is probably from the boat ramp to the Judge shoals. Once you pass Rivermont, you should be able to walk all the way to HB. That is all sand and not very "fishy". Tight lines. __________________ What a long strange trip it's been...and it's not over yet!

07-31-07, 06:17 PM	#8
FlygURL Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Moderator Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 2,115	Lessons Learned Lessons Learned by the folks who floated Saturday: # Always check your tube/toon. Especially your oar locks/sleeves and air valves caps # Keep a Leatherman type tool in your vest that includes a screwdriver. # Always keep your rod down when leaving the banks and shore especially around trees. # Be sure you have great people with you. We put in at the canoe launch at JB. Just before the boat ramp, I realized that my left pontoon had lost a lot of air. You see, one of my air valve caps was missing and my cup holder apparently was releasing air when I swiveled my seat. Once I realized this, I moved my one cap to the cup holder side. No more air loss. The other "lessons learned" were from other floaters in our party. Oh yeah, when we were getting out at Garrards, which was a bit muddy, but tolerable, there was a family of kayakers. They did not have enough PFDs for the number of folks they had. Julie and I gave them ours, especially since DNR was checking. Some boaters are so silly to try to get on the water without enough PFDs. These folks were supposed to contact us to return the PFDs, but they have not yet. Oh well - maybe they'll make sure to have enough for everyone next time. And the fishing, well, not spectacular, but good. Fish were deep and a few browns were caught too - golden treasures. Green WB, Black WB, and BH Pheasant Tails were key for many of us. __________________ FlygURL Georgia Women Flyfishers Tailwater Chapter Trout Unlimited "Just out there trying to make a difference in a trout's life."

07-19-07, 12:00 AM	#2
duluthgator Native Join Date: May 2001 Location: Duluth, Georgia Posts: 409	There is a LOT of mud at the takeout.

07-19-07, 07:45 AM	#4
Eric Cook Native Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 80	Beth, That is a nice section to float with the exception of the take out. The last time I did that float was about a year ago but I assume it is much the same. Yes there was a lot of mud on the ramp and I had to use a long rope to pull the pontoon up the ramp while I was walking up the riprap on the south side of the ramp. As for the approach to the ramp it isn't easy either. You have to stay river left (ramp is on river right) after the bridge to get around the old bridge. Fortunately, the "quick" water in front of the pump station will push you back to river right. But don't let it push you too far because there was a large tree just before the ramp that you have get around. After the tree you have to make a hard right to keep from missing the ramp! Hopefully your experience at the take out won't be as bad as mine. It probably would not have been as bad for me if it hadn't started to rain about midway through and I had started earlier. It was getting dark before I even got to the bridge (partly from the cloud cover). Eric

07-20-07, 11:37 PM	#7
duluthgator Native Join Date: May 2001 Location: Duluth, Georgia Posts: 409	Beth, my son and I floated it a month ago in a canoe. The large tree is still there right before the takeout and there is still a ton of mud on the ramp. One of us slipped and got pretty messy.

07-31-07, 10:15 PM	#9
Fire Walker Past Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Dacula, Ga Posts: 1,938	Just a thought Try a sink tip with a bugger and prince. The Hydro has been fishing these same flies for years down there on our "Home" strech. You basically float through all of the spots we talk about in our post. Between all us us we are close to 10,000 posts Anyway, This time of year there in deep, moving water. Glad to hear you were able to get out on the river. Did I mention we live on the river now? See ya

08-01-07, 12:58 PM	#10
H2OEng Native Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 59	What's the float time? I picked up a 2 person kayak last week at the right price (free) so I'm looking to try it out this weekend.

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