Some important hatches to consider this time of year are those of the mayflies. The Light Cahill mayfly is very common in Chattooga trout diets, and other mayflies such as the Sulphur, Green Drake and March Brown are also present. Expect to find the best hatches early and late in the day.

A box stocked with patterns in sizes No. 12 to 16 along the lines of Light Cahills, Parachute Adams and tan Elk Hair Caddis should cover most of the bases. A Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymph belongs in any North Georgia flyfisherman’s box. Other possibilities include big streamers like a Woolly Bugger or Matuka.

For conventional gear, try small spinners like a white Rooster Tail or Panther Martin. Small plugs that imitate a minnow or crayfish are also a good choice for big brown trout.

Even upstream of Burrells Ford, the Chattooga River is “big water” if judged by Georgia trout fishing standards. This section is 50 to 60 feet wide in most places, with shoals separated by long, deep pools. This area is predominantly a wild brown trout fishery with heavy, stream-reared browns a real possibility. Anglers wading this section should have no problem if they use common sense. A short hike around rough areas should put you back into wadeable water.

One area that has great fishing, but that is to be approached with respect, is “Rock Gorge,” downstream of Burrells Ford and a short distance upstream of the intersection of the Bartram Trail and the Chattooga Foothills Trail. The deep pools in the gorge hold some of the biggest browns, but strong rapids, undercut rocks, dropoffs, and dead-end wading paths are common there.

Never go into this area alone. In fact, sharing the day with a partner is really a good idea for fishing any of the Chattooga. Not only do you have someone to share the experience with, but you also may end up saving each other’s lives.

The best time to fish for the Chattooga’s big brown trout is first and last light. Browns are much more nocturnal than are rainbow trout, and since night-fishing is prohibited, low-light periods are the next best option. Overcast days are also good, with the fish feeding off and on throughout the day.

A good time to be on the river during the summer is right after a light rain when the water is just starting to dirty. The stained water makes the trout a little less wary, and bites may come quicker. Once the water truly muddies, though, fishing is tough.

With stocked rainbows supplementing the fishery, the easiest fishing in the summer is at Burrells Ford, but it also is the most crowded. A short walk, however, usually outdistances most casual anglers, and gives you some space. There’s plenty of room for fly-casting, so this is a good area for novices to hone their skills.

Downstream of Burrells Ford to the SR 28 bridge the river widens to almost 100 feet, and rainbows are the more abundant species. Stocked fish make up more of the catch, since natural reproduction is limited in this area. Since the area downstream is inaccessible to stocking trucks, helicopters are used to drop subadult fish into the river.

Within this section of the Chattooga is a delayed-harvest area from the SR 28 bridge upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek, which enters from the Georgia shore. Under this management strategy the fishing is catch-and-release only from Nov. 1 through May 14. Anglers are restricted to artificial single-hook lures. During the remainder of the year, the stream is open to harvest under standard regulations.