Have A Beary Good June

Here’s some timely info from our friends at GAWRD regarding our furry neighbored up here:

What are bears up to in June? Hopefully not up in your grill. Or your bird feeder. 

Usually, bears are just passing through your yard or neighborhood. But a bear that repeatedly finds food from garbage cans, used grills, bird feeders and pet food bowls is unlikely to leave, and will become bolder in its search for easy food. Bears can even learn how to open car doors and enter homes. As you can imagine, this can lead to quite a bit of property damage. 

Once bears have learned bad habits and have come to rely on people for a “free meal,” they rarely change those behaviors – more often, it gets worse with time and experience. 

So let's strive to be BearWise so we can keep the bears wild.

bearwise.org/what-bears-do-in-june

Unicoi Outfitters Fishing Report - 6/9/22

The upcoming week’s prospects are looking like a rerun of last week’s report.  Trouting opportunities remain good all day on headwaters and tailwaters. Larger streams are still fishing fairly well in the mornings, when daily water temps are lowest. Remember a pats rubberlegs and pink squirmy worm if a summer shower “gifts” you with a slug of colder, dirtier water. And GAWRD is gifting GA residents with another free fishing day on Saturday.  Speaking of gifts, don’t forget dear ole Dad!

River bass and bream are approaching their prime time. Now it’s just a matter of ensuring enough visibility in those rivers for residents to see your poppers, streamers, and bottom-bumping crayfish imitations. If your river is a summer vacation spot for downstream reservoir stripers, they should be moving in now for that colder water.

Reservoir bass are still holding out on midlake humps, according to HenryC, while pond bass and bream are a best bet when the sun is low.

Now is a good time to think of your fishing father and “net” a nice gift for him. A new rod, reel, pack, or gift certificate can bring a nice smile to his face on Father’s Day.

As always, see our full report and Wes’ stellar hot fly list on our home and Facebook pages. Stop in either UO shop or give us a call if we can help with angling intel or gift ideas for dear ole Dad.

Wes’ Hot Fly List:

Dries: 409 Yeager yellow, stimulator, bears hi viz Drake, pats-Adams, chubby Chernobyl.

Nymphs & Wets:

Pats rubberlegs, pheasant tail nymph and soft hackle, root beer midge,  split top, and a red or pink squirmy worm in dirty water. 

Streamers & warm water:

Feather changer, micro changer, amnesia bug, muddy buddy, Boogle bug popper.

Headwaters:

They are still in good shape.  Today’s lunchtime recon showed them crystal clear and just a bit low.  We only had 3/4 inch of rain this week, so a clear-water stealth strategy will bring your best results. We like 4x tippet to our fluffy dry fly, since it’s strong enough to pull down that rhododendron limb that grabbed your fly. Only if we get a string of consecutive refusals will we drop down to 5X tippet for headwater wild trout. Yellow, black, and green bugs will bring up plenty of lookers and hopefully lots of sippers.

Stocker Streams:

Stocker streams are still a good bet, since GAWRD hits them hard up to the July 4th holiday. The agency then cuts back a bit as stream temps rise, flows drop, and angler numbers wane. That vacated hatchery space is also needed to accept thousands of four-inch fingerlings from other hatcheries that represent next year’s stocker crop.  Get out there soon with your kids while the weather isn’t too hot, streamflows are cool, and the WRD trout trucks are rolling daily. Sign up for the weekly fishing blog and trout stocking reports (click on “trout”) here:

https://georgiawildlife.com/fishing/angler-resources

NC:

NC’s delayed harvest restrictions are now over, but there will be some stocked fish left in most streams for another week or two.  Many DH waters also have resident populations of wild fish, so keep them in mind for a summer road trip.  As long as we still get weekly showers and have some cooler nights, the wild fish in the national park and national forests will still have good appetites, too.  Toss your terrestrials as a best bet for summer sippers. Daily park reports are here. Notice today’s glowing report. Colder water will do that…

https://littleriveroutfitters.com/

Private Waters:

Our private waters on the Hooch and Soque have still fished well for morning guests. We will continue to watch water temps and ensure they are cool enough for fish health before taking trips.

Before the rain, UO manager Jake said Nacoochee Bend rainbows continued to cooperate for his clients. “Long and light” was the usual key in the low, clear water. Small nymphs and soft hackles on light (5X, 6X) tippets drew the most strikes during the morning sessions.

UO staffer Joseph volunteered this morning (9th) as a guide for the GATU trout camp kids. He said rubberleg stones were working well at Nacoochee Bend. Look for an upcoming UO post on this fun annual event! Kudos to all vol fishing guides from TU and UO.

The recent rains are always a great river recharge. UO guide Israel reported: “Riverside on the Soque was good in the rain for my clients yesterday (8th). The same ole junk flies (eggs, worms, rubberlegs) worked well in the higher flow, especially under the shade provided by the clouds.”

UO guide Palmer just got off the Soque after this morning’s trip with a client. As the water dropped and cleared, he said they had the best luck on squirmies and soft hackles.

Warm Rivers:

The UO staff fishing day was a fun one last Monday. Staff floated down the Hooch and caught a mixed bag of river residents and tourists.  High hook might have been Israel, who tossed Boogle Bug poppers under the tree limbs for the abundant redbreast sunfish.  The topwater bass bite was a bit slow, in this post-spawn period, but enough spots and shoalies ate Game Changers and soft plastics to keep the anglers honest. Best one was a photo-shy 19-inch shoalie that slipped out of Jake’s hands before he could snap a pic. Bonus fish were the tourists, as a couple of Lanier stripers inhaled the Game Changers that were intended for shoalies.

Flat Water:

Athens Jay just returned to GA and quickly got back on his favorite bream pond.  He reported: “Re-entry into the world was challenging. So a did a little after-work hydrotherapy. I tossed a Boogle bug with a Pat’s Rubberlegs about 8 inches under it. Both worked equally well.”

HenryC:  “The topwater spotted bass fishing is starting to gain some speed. Spots are schooling some on humps over brush. Find the brush and you'll either see them schooling some or you can call them up with a top water fly. The only thing you need to know is you must burn gas running from hump to hump to find these fish and also try to fish on a sunny day. They school much better on sunny days than overcast days. 6-8 wt fly rod outfits and either a gurgler, stealth bomber, popper or pole dancer works best. You may have to tease the fish to take your fly so changing retrieves in order to dial into what the bass want is necessary and can change daily. This is happening on Lanier , Hartwell, Alatoona and most all GA lakes right now where spotted bass are dominant.”

www.henrycowenflyfishing.com

Afar:

Athens Jay said his trip to the upper Mississippi was a fun one.  Despite the high water, he and his GA buddy caught a good number of hefty smallmouths while fishing with Wildwood Outfitters guide Kip Vieth.  Jay reports:  “The water was high at the start of the trip so we fished “in the trees.” A. Floating line and a big streamer  called a Goldie were the ticket. Later we got them on a white streamer called a Conehead Bunny Muddler or Muddy Bunny. Very effective fly!  It fishes 1-2 feet below surface depending on retrieve .  We were fishing around points and islands over rock fields in 6-8 feet of water. Kip was an awesome guide!

https://wildwoodfloattrips.com/

I’ll close this report with last week’s summary: search for shade and toss some favorite summer bugs for seasonal success. Don’t forget your sunscreen, poncho, and a quick pit stop into a UO store for hot flies and Dad’s prize.  Good luck!

Unicoi Outfitters: Friendly. Local. Experts.

www.unicoioutfitters.com

706-878-3083

Unicoi Outfitters Fishing Report - 6/3/22

This week’s theme is “sunscreen and raincoats.”  Now we’ll be dodging the hot sun by angling early, late, or along narrow, shady streams. The summer weather pattern is kicking up some afternoon showers, too, so stuff a poncho in your vest or slingpack to prevent your deep soaking.

Our streams are clear again and flows are back down to seasonal norms. NC streams are a bit higher.  Best bets will be shady headwater streams all day, larger trout waters before noon, and pond and river bass at dawn, dusk, or in the shade via your yak attacks. For trout, think terrestrials and toss our 3 favorite summer colors: yellow (sallies), green (inchworms), and black (ants, beetles). If you’re lucky enough to get some rain-stain, toss some red squirmies to match that sudden spaghetti hatch.

You’ll need to avoid summer tourists, so take the side roads to avoid the crowds. Fishing early and late will get you past the tubers and canoeists.  The Hooch thru Helen is once again thick with summer’s “pink donut” hatch!

While furry daughter #2 and I were checking stream conditions yesterday (2nd) we found one Robertstown resident heading away from the Helen crowd. He thought he owned Highway 75 and walked right up the middle of the road! Only when we got within 30 feet did the young black bear finally detour into the woods toward Unicoi Park.

We hope you have an eventful week, too.  Stop in either UO store for hot flies, supplies, and top tips to get y’all on some fish. See our full report on our home and Facebook pages for more great angling intel.

Wes’ Hot Fly List:

Dries: 409 Yeager yellow, stimulator, bears hi viz Drake, transfoamer.

Nymphs & Wets:

Girdle bug, pheasant tail, root beer midge, prince nymph, split top, 

Streamers & warm water:

Feather changer, micro changer, amnesia bug, muddy buddy.

Headwaters:

UO Helen manager Wes: “I did a blueling trip this week. The fishing was very productive. We saw lots of yellow sallies flying around. A “409 yeager yellow” with a pheasant tail dropper was the winning combo.”

UO guide Palmer:

“Small stream fishing was great after the water came down! I landed several nice wild residents on a size 12 stimulator.”

Stocker Streams:

UO friend Splatek: “We had a great boys trip to a mountain creek. Mini Me 1(Spencer) spent his time teaching Mini Me 2(Presley) how to “Catch the Trouts.”  We made some great family memories.”

UO friend Landon:  I hit a popular stocker stream after scouting yesterday for deer season. I pulled  in right behind the truck for a while. Got bored after 40 fish but it was fun catching mostly brook trout. The fed folks mentioned that’s alot of what should be stocked in that area over the next few weeks.”

NC:

NC’s delayed harvest restrictions end today, so flyfishers will have company in the days ahead.  The national park and forests will continue to fish well due to their higher elevations.

Private Waters:

UO Helen manager Wes: “I had a couple of guided trips on The Bend this week. The fish are starting to get picky, so cycling through flies til you find a productive pattern is recommended.  Plain pheasant tails, midges, girdle bugs, and sparkle minnows worked best.”

UO company manager and veteran guide Jake:  “Fishing at Rainbow Point on the Soque was great on Tuesday.   We managed to hook 20-25 fish that morning, including a really nice brown, with most of them coming on diamond midges, various soft hackles, and rubber legged stones. The recent bump in flows has "recharged" everything, and our morning trips continue to produce very well!”

UO guide Palmer:  “My upper Hooch striper came during the high water event and ate a Cowen’s Somethin’ Else streamer.”

Rivers:

UO friend Landon: “Andrea asked what I wanted for my birthday.  I told her I wanted her to do the Bass Slam with me. The Bartrams Bass was a success tonight!”

Flat Water:

HenryC:  “There are still a few stripers around on the pond to be had with a fly rod if you're diligent enough to find them. It's time to switch over to spotted bass on lakes here in GA and maybe some hybrids if your lake has them stocked.  Me... I'm in top water spotted bass mode and carp mode for the next 90 days.”www.henrycowenflyfishing.com

Afar:

Athens Jay celebrated the end of his school year with a road trip to the far north. He and his fishing buddy enjoyed chasing the chunky smallmouths of the upper Mississippi River. 

Back down here in GA, summer has arrived, so adjust accordingly.  Search for shade and toss some favorite summer bugs for seasonal success. Don’t forget your sunscreen, poncho, and a quick pit stop into a UO store right before your angling adventure. Good luck!

Unicoi Outfitters: Friendly. Local. Experts.

www.unicoioutfitters.com

Unicoi Outfitters Fishing Report - 5/27/22

Our prayers for rain were answered - and then some. Helen had 6 inches of rain this week and the Chattooga watershed tallied 8 inches!   Large trout streams and bass rivers will be blown out for several days until all that water runs off toward the flatlands.

Best bets for your holiday weekend will be ponds, bluelines, and reservoirs for dawn bass, before the holiday crowds wake up, get into big boats, and throw wakes across your bows.

Today’s morning recon showed small bluelines running high, but clearing.  Slightly larger streams on the national forest were high and off-color. Fishing on or right next to their banks should be possible this weekend as those flows drop. Know your own safe wading level, then check stream gauges or call local fly shops for the latest stream conditions.

Wes’ hot fly list and some extra tips follow on our extended version of this report. You can view it on our home and Facebook pages.

May we all note this special holiday and pay tribute to all those members of military who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  Let us appreciate our freedom to fish on this Memorial Day weekend.

Wes’ Hot Fly List

Dries: 409 Yeager yellow, elk hair caddis, yellow, humpy. Chubby Chernobyl.

Nymphs & Wets:

Girdle bug, squirmy worm, mop fly, lightning bug, prince nymph, soft hackle pheasant tail.

Streamers & warm water:

Feather changer, finesse changer, boogle popper, dragon tail, mouse rat

Headwaters:

They are a best bet, as stormflows subside quickly and these heavily forested streams never muddy-up anyway.  Aim for the flood refuges next to the bank, along submerged logs, behind big boulders, and below rock ledges. Hi-stick a dry/dropper combo to let it hang a while in those soft spots. Use a buoyant dry like a chubby or elk hair caddis, then drop a small but heavy nymph a foot under it. If there’s color in the water, try a bright tungsten bead on the dropper. If it’s clear, try a black tungsten bead or an unbeaded but weighted pheasant tail or hares ear nymph or soft hackle.

Stocker Streams:

GAWRD usually stocks heavily for popular holidays, so watch todays list when it’s published.  High water should spread out stockers, so try aiming for some wash-downs below traditional stocking sites. Again, aim your fly, bait, or lure toward the flood refuges.

Bigger Trout Waters:

Most public waters, tailwaters, and private waters have been blown out this week, so we don’t have many fresh reports. They should fish well as flows drop and a little color remains in them. Recall my prior post this week about squirmies and stones in those dropping flows. Aim for the mornings to catch colder water, before the afternoon sun bakes it.

UO friend Landon:

“I took my boss to the Hooch Tailwater on Sunday AM.  Fairly slow morning but we caught a few rainbows on pheasant  tails under an indicator, fished around woody structure.”

NC streams:

The same storm front hit NC and those bigger streams are also blown out. Our headwater tips, mentioned above, should apply to the NC bluelines, too.

RSquared got up there before the monsoon and reported:

“Once again, I ventured north of the state line. My fly box was loaded with yellow caddis, yellow stimulators, & yellow mayflies. However, the trout at 3500ft elevation & above had evidently not read the NC hatch chart! Disappointed in the absence of activity, I switched to the old reliable Parachute Adams in a size 16. It was like turning on a switch. I began getting strikes & landed several nice wild Rainbow’s & Native Brookies over the following 3 days.”

Lakes:

Hank the Yank said that shallow lake stripers are gone for the summer, as surface temps approach 80 degrees. It’s about time to aim for river migrants, once these floods pass.  Spotted bass have been spotty. Try tossing 5-inch game changers on long points, since the spots are chasing bluebacks.

Henry did see one very dedicated flyfisher on the lake and said, “Fly anglers will do whatever means necessary to toss feathers at a fish!”

www.henrycowenflyfishing.com

Afar:

UO Helen manager Wes:

“Jackson and I had a fun weekend getaway with some buddies and wete able to get on a few river stripers.”

(See first photo, above)

UO owner Jimmy: “Here's a photo of a nice Redband Rainbow from the Deschutes in Oregon last week.  I was there for the salmonfly hatch and there were big bugs in all the bushes but very few on the water.  As a result, the fish were not yet keyed in on them so most of the catching was done on nymph droppers.  This beautiful lady, however, was caught on a salmonfly dry.  Magnificent country and great friends to fish with.  For what it's worth, I hear the fishing this week is lights out.”

There’s your holiday report from our UO gang.  The rains were welcome. While they may put a brief damper on some of our weekend opportunities, they will remedy low streamflows for a while. Hopefully we will get into a summer pattern of weekly storms to maintain flows and drop water temps. 

We thank and honor all of our military heroes on their day of remembrance.  Our freedom is special, and it certainly has not been free. May we all enjoy our days in the woods and on the water, and remember our heroes with deep gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice.

Unicoi Outfitters: Friendly. Local. Experts.

www.unicoioutfitters.com

Give and Take for Wild and Scenic

Check this out!  What a great give-and-take.  You can give a few bucks toward the conservation of the Hooch and take away a great movie night - -  or nights!!!   It's the Wild and Scenic Film Festival hosted by our friends at the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

Watch 14 short films in a theater setting at Brenau University on June 11, or tune in online, at your convenience, from June 11 thru the 17th.

Details follow in Riverkeeper's post.  Make sure you click on their link and then on "this year's films" to peruse the roster.

The Hooch has given most of us some very special lifetime memories, from leaping rainbows to trophy shoal bass to scenic floats.  Here's our chance to say thanks and give a little back to its conservation.  Hey, we can pass the popcorn, too!

https://bit.ly/3OTpiNQ

Unicoi Outfitters Fishing Report - 5/20/22

We sure could use some rain up here!  Low, clear, and warming river conditions continue. That means picky trout but very good river bassing.   Best bets for trout will be cooler, high elevation streams, the bigger waters before 11am, and the icy tailwaters. Yellow is still a great May color for your bugs.

Stripers are a bit more scarce up the rivers, as the spawn is over.  Surface action is slower on reservoirs as those shallow temperatures approach 80 degrees.

Here the latest from our UO staff and friends, via the long versions on our home and Facebook pages.  Please join us in a rain dance to enhance our stream success up here next week.

Wes’ Hot Fly List

(Same as last week)

Dries: stimulator, 409 Yeager yellow, elk hair caddis, yellow stimulator, yellow humpy.

Nymphs & Wets:

Pats rubber leg, soft hackle partridge, jig CDC pheasant tail, mop fly, psycho prince.

Streamers & warm water:

Amnesia bug (for bream), Boogle bugs, kreelex, hot cone bugger, finesse changer.

Headwaters:

They remain low and clear, so stealth, thinner tippets, and a yellow Sally or Adams should keep you in the game.

UO friend Sautee:

“Got on the river at 5:30. Fishing dry dropper of several combinations. Missed first 3 fish and then picked up 6 over the next 2.5 hours. At 8:20 the switch flipped and bugs started pouring off. Tied on a #14 yellow elk hair caddis. Picked up 6 more in last 25 minutes on top.”

Stocker Streams

They’re still a good bet, especially during the cool mornings. Lighten your line, reduce your weights, and shrink your baits in the lower flows. 

DH streams

NC’s DH streams will still provide good action, especially in the shade and shadows.  Dark-30 opportunities continue, so stay late and toss some double dry rigs (cahill first and a caddis trailer). Remember to twitch and skitter, too.

Tailwaters

UO friend Mo: I hope yer fishing today. Here's some fodder from this am. The trio descended upon Settles Bridge this am in hopes of finding some hungry trout.  

They were snooty to begin with but we found some browns and rainbows in there. Had the place to ourselves till about noon, at which point we made our way out.

A #20 frenchie trailing a bigger, heavier, nymph produced well again today. Never had to change flies all am. Getting down quickly and dredging was the ticket. 

Ron and Kurt wore em out pretty good today and even I managed a couple fish to hand.”

Private Waters

They are still fishing real well, especially in the mornings.

UO manager Jake:

“I fished the Soque and Nacoochee Bend on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and had mid teen numbers both mornings, with a nice 25 incher from the Bend on Wednesday. The key for me this week has been long leaders, lighter tippet, yarn indicators, and small bugs. Most of my damage came on small Pat's Rubberlegs, Squirrel Nymphs, Ruby Midges, Clear Water Emergers, and I even caught a few fish on small Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails. The streams are low and clear, and the fish are settling into their summer routines, but down-scaled approaches are still producing quantity and quality. With rain in the forecast this weekend, hopefully we will see a bump in flow, which will help things going into next week.”

UO guide Israel:

“Today on the Soque. Been having success with Chubbies and Stimmies on the surface. Soft hackles are still producing well. Dropped off a dry fly or run a nymph rig. Cant go wrong with the partridge and orange.  Caught a few wild fish on a green weenie, too!”

Smokies 

The park is still fishing well.

Note: Daily fishing reports here:

Little River Outfitters - Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains

Afar:

UO friend Gayland:

“I went to Montana May 1st through May 10th.  Caught some pretty trout and stayed cool in the Montana snow showers and windy weather.   It was great fun and relaxing.   I waded on the Missouri below Hauser Fam and below Holter Dam.”

Warm Rivers:

“Steve W. & I fished one of our favourite local creeks. We came away with a mixed bag of trout, Coosa Red-eyed Bass, & Red Breasted Sunfish. One of the Redeye's was long enough to qualify for the Georgia Bass Slam. As water temperatures heat up, I turn much of my attention to fishing for the 10 different black bass species that inhabit our states rivers,streams, & lakes. It is a great way to stay on the water during our summer months without needlessly stressing  our cold-water resources. I am currently working on my 4th consecutive slam. I would encourage all those that pursue our wild & native trout to give the Bass Slam a try!”

Flat Water:

Athens Jay: “TU Fundraiser trip today. Grandad took grandson who is new to fly fishing. Started with Pat’s Rubberlegs under an Air-Lock with good success. Graduated to White Boogle bug popper/dropper and got some good surface strikes. Bluegill are spawning tight to the bank, especially under overhanging tree limbs making it important to do the side arm thing. We had a great time on the pond.”

UO staffer Joseph:

“Here’s a schoolie striper I caught on a dock light. I seemed to have more success on above ground lights rather than green lights in the water .The stripers are very few and far between as water temps are rising. But the bass are eating good and are aggressive. “

Hank the Yank: “Lanier is fishing ok these days. The previous full moon allowed us to see some schooling stripers during the mid to late morning timeframe as well as midday. Groups are chasing herring and are up and down quickly. Bigger flies are the norm right now for these last lick stripers. We are turning our attention over to spotted bass, which has been interesting to say the least. Fish are schooling some as well as singles chasing herring on the surface. Anglers must throw on top of the fish in order to get an eat. Not the easiest of fishing but extremely visual. Larger flies are called for here with game changers, coyotes and kinky muddler flies your best bet. You can also toss a pole dancer or larger gurgler on a floating line and get them to eat it off the surface. While catching numbers isn't the norm just yet it is still fun watching all the surface activity on the pond. “

www.henrycowenflyfishing.com

That’s the latest intel up here as we start on some summer patterns. Stop by either UO store or give us a call if we can help. Now go have a lucky day.

Unicoi Outfitters: Friendly. Local. Experts.

www.unicoioutfitters.com