Intown Trout In Winter The tailwaters of the Chattahoochee River in January arguably provide the year’s best trout fishing in the state. Join the author as she explores the options it offers.(January 2008).
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For anglers, such as myself, who like to throw a fly to these inshore species, Capt. Evans' experienced boat handling and knowledge of the shallow waters are very useful. When the seatrout have revealed their presence by hitting the live shrimp or artificial lures, I like to toss a chartreuse Clouser Minnow -- and, often, the trout are greedy enough to accept. Fly-casters can also try pink-and-chartreuse, orange-and-brown or tan-and-white color combos of Clousers. Any brown or light-colored shrimp patterns may also work. Heavy monofilament weedguards help to keep the fly from hanging up near the spartina grass.
Plentiful in the creek channels and inlets of the Altamaha basin, red drum too are susceptible to fly-casting. Capt. Evans is always on the lookout for tailing red drum that feed on the bottom around oyster beds and grassy points. When they tip their heads down to forage on the bottom, their tails often stick up above the surface.
Sight-casting with a fly rod to these coppery spottails is especially fun. Again, Clouser Minnows -- especially orange or tan combos -- are good, but shrimp patterns or gold spoon flies also work. Don't be afraid to use a heavy tippet of 20-pound-test leader for reds. The stained waters of the Georgia coast don't require a lot of finesse in terminal tackle, and the heavier line aids in preventing cutoffs on the very sharp oyster shells when a hooked fish decides to make a run for it.
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Springtime angling along the meandering inlets and golden grassy marshes of the Peach State's major river mouths is prime for catching your limit of saltwater fare. Speckled trout and red drum flourish in these fertile waters. It's a bonus that the area also offers such great scenery, and the opportunity to explore some of the picturesque villages of Georgia's Colonial Coast.