Lake Burton, which covers 2,775 acres, is the largest of the Tallulah lakes and is the best known in the chain because of the jumbo-sized spotted bass (including an 8-pound, 2-ounce state record fish) and brown trout that it has produced in recent years. For midsummer family outings, though, a few other species arguably offer even better prospects. Yellow perch, chain pickerel and bluegills all abound in Lake Burton, and all three species lend themselves to simple tactics and serve up fast action.

Next largest in the chain is Lake Rabun with 834 acres, which offers mostly small but abundant largemouth and spotted bass. It also features good summer fishing for bluegills and shellcrackers.

.The main attraction on Lake Rabun, though, is a big population of walleyes, which have been stocked annually since 2001. During late summer, the walleyes congregate over bottom structure in 30 to 50 feet of water, and anglers can do well by fishing near the bottom with night crawlers in the cove directly across the lake from Halls Marine. Biologists have sunk abundant structure at prime depths for walleyes in that location.

At the lower end the of the Tallulah River chain, 600-acre Lake Tugalo offers good mixed-bag fishing for bass, walleyes and bluegills, as well as spectacular scenery. The lake's upper Tallulah River arm is in the extreme lower end of Tallulah Gorge. However, the road to the only access point on the Georgia side is steep, rough and winding, and four-wheel-drive is recommended.

Tucked between the larger lakes in the chain are 240-acre Lake Seed and 63-acre Tallulah Falls Lake, both of which are well suited for small-boat fishing. Seed, which supports a very good bass fishery and gets fairly light pressure because of its remote location, actually has a small boat ramp. Car-top boats, meanwhile, can be hand-launched into Tallulah Falls Lake at the edge of the town of Tallulah Falls. There is also good foot access for bream fishing on this lake via a boardwalk in the day-use area of Tallulah Gorge State Park.

Speaking of Tallulah Gorge, no discussion of family vacations along the river would be complete without some mention of this spectacular 1,000-foot-deep river gorge, the trails that lead to overlooks along its rims, the suspension bridge that spans the gorge to connect the rim trails, the waterfalls within the gorge or the outstanding visitor center.

Another cool family stop, just up U.S. Highway 441 from Tallulah Gorge, is Goats on a Roof, a gift store that is aptly named. It has live goats actually living on the roof!

Of course, there are trails leading to waterfalls, trout in tributary streams, cool gift and antique shops and many other fine family stops throughout the Tallulah River corridor.

Regarding places to stay, the Tallulah corridor offers everything from camping in national forest campgrounds along the upper river and in Tallulah Gorge State Park to staying at the beautiful new Lodge at Tallulah Falls. Check out the latter at www.thelodgeattallulahfalls.com.

Other options include rental cabins, bed and breakfasts, and historic lodges along the lakes. A good resource for more information about the lakes is www.gamountains.com.