The mountain areas around the Inn are custom-made for great fishing. With nearly 50 miles of a gently winding river plus plenty of cool mountain streams, you could be happy for weeks on end up here!
Trout is the main catch and the Chattahoochee River is one place they love to swim. Be prepared to don waders and head into the water or drift along in a boat—the shoreline is just too treacherous for bank fishing. The Buford Dam releases cool water year-round, keeping conditions perfect for rainbow and brown trout. A few good wading spots include Paces Mill, Pallisades, Cochran Shoals, and Jones Bridge.A good time to check these spots out might be on one of Georgia’s free fishing days. For 2017, those are June 3, June 17, and September 23.
For information on specific fishing spots, flies, and more along the Chattahoochee, check out Unicoi Outfitters in Helen. They offer a three-hour “Gilligan Special” tour that is great for first-timers or anyone unfamiliar with the local waters. The full-service fly shop—the oldest in North Georgia—offers guiding, classes, and all the equipment you’ll need.
Unicoi Outfitters
7280 Main Street, Helen, GA
706-878-3083
Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Soque River, which runs past Clarkesville, is another great spot to try. Blackhawk Fly Fishing, based in Clarkesville, runs a two-mile Blackhawk Trophy Trout Stream along there and its guides are top-notch.
Blackhawk Fly Fishing
Clarkesville, GA
706-947-3474
If you happen to be fishing over in the Suches area (see our blog on this mountain town), a nice side trip is to visit the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the hatchery produces one million trout a year that are used to stock tailwaters, streams, and lakes in Northern Georgia. The Hatchery also sponsors events throughout the year, such as the Veterans Appreciation Fishing Rodeo coming up in May.
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery
4730 Rock Creek Road, Suches, GA
706-838-4723
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; closed on Federal holidays.
Admission is free
After a day standing in cool mountain water, heading back to Lucille’s for a hot stone massage sure sounds appealing. Book a stay and we’ll help you arrange it.