Historically, the Blue Ridge Dam tailwater suffered from poor water quality. During long periods without generation or during late summer and early fall, dissolved-oxygen levels would fall to marginal levels. In the mid-1990s the TVA addressed these problems by adding an oxygen-injection system and increasing the minimum flow constantly released from the dam. With these modifications, water quality has improved, and so has the fishing.

For a look at what the lower Toccoa has to offer, let's talk to one of its biggest fans, Metrella Brown of Unicoi Outfitters. Besides managing Unicoi's store in Blue Ridge, she has guided for several years on the outfitter's other private waters.

"The lower Toccoa is just a phenomenal dry-fly fishery," Brown said. "Spring, summer and on into fall, you just can't go wrong with a caddis. Dark, tan and olive are all good."

According to Metrella, dry flies aren't the only things that produce, though.

"For nymphing, a bead-head soft hackle is a good choice. The fish really seem to prefer soft hackles. I like Tellico Nymphs and Golden Stonefly Nymphs. Big streamers can be good too. But the rises on the Toccoa are so good, I just have a hard time putting down the dry flies and tying on a nymph or streamer. To me, the dry flies are so much more fun to fish.

"Probably 80 percent of our catch the last few years has been brown trout," Metrella said, "with rainbows making up the rest. Since the fish are stocked as fingerlings in the tailwater, they grow up wild. The colors are just spectacular on these fish. Too, since the fish have been in the river awhile and aren't just right off the stocking truck, the fish you catch aren't all carbon copies of each other. Most fish we catch range from 6 to 13 inches, with the occasional 15- to 17-inch fish thrown in. Of course, there is always the chance for a trophy too, especially a brown trout.

"The lower Toccoa flows across mostly private land," Metrella continued, "but there are three public access points. Blue Ridge Dam, Curtis Switch and the park in McCaysville are all good access points. The river has so many fish, any one of the three is just as good as the others."

Since public bank access is limited, the best way to fish the river is by floating. Metrella recommended a "pontoon boat" over the basic float tube. If you can get access to one, a drift boat is also ideal. Floating the river from the dam to Curtis Switch is a popular trip with anglers.

Regarding where and when to fish, you almost can't go wrong.

"The whole river is good," Metrella advised. "Pools, riffles . . . it doesn't matter - you are going to catch fish."

Brown prefers to fish falling water, but she always goes when she gets the chance, no matter what the water is doing.

"The fish go crazy at the dam about 15 minutes after the turbines shut off," Metrella said. "Be there when that happens, and you are in for a great trip. I have had really good luck fishing the dam in the evening with a No. 18 Adams after the turbines have quit for the day."

What the dam is doing is the No. 1 factor for fishing the lower Toccoa for several reasons. Not only does it affect the fish, but it is very important to anglers too.

QUOTABLE "The best fishing will be found anywhere that the current sweeps the bank and around all in-stream breaks in the flow. Early in the year, earthworms are a favored bait among the regulars on the Toccoa, but by midsummer grasshoppers will work better because some of the river runs through open pasture lands ..."   Upper Toccoa River "Trout Fishing In North Georgia" Jimmy Jacobs

"On the lower Toccoa, safety is No. 1," Metrella stressed. "There are no sirens on the river to warn you of imminent water releases, and you can't always go by the release schedule for the day. If you are in the water and feel the current picking up, no matter how slight, get to higher ground immediately. The water is on the way and will be on you in just minutes.

"I also recommend that you always keep your eye on a partially submerged rock or stick for a benchmark," Metrella related. "When the water first starts to creep up your marker, get out then; don't try to make a few more casts.

Anglers can check the release schedule for the next day by calling the TVA at 800-238-2264 after 4 p.m. Listen to the message, then press 4, 23 and # to get the release schedule for the following day. You shouldn't depend on the release schedule to be 100 percent accurate, though. Always keep your eye on the water level.

When you're fishing tailwaters like the lower Toccoa, it should go without saying that your PFD (life jacket) should be just as important a part of your gear as your fishing rod and landing net. Tailwaters can provide great fishing, but they also can be extremely dangerous.

"We have had many, many 100-plus-fish days on the Toccoa," Metrella noted. "It is just a phenomenal fishery. It has to be one of the top five trout fisheries in this region, and you could make the argument that it is No. 1."

Although the lower Toccoa is the hardcore trout angler's dream, casual anglers can join in on the fun too. Soaking natural bait around the dam is almost sure to produce with just a handful of simple tackle and a little patience. During low water periods, trout can often be seen working along the dam's concrete walls and are usually willing to take natural bait dropped right in front of their nose. Other access points farther downstream can also offer good bait-fishing, but the dam is a favorite with local anglers.

The lower Toccoa River is bounded on the west by SR 5 and on the east by SR 60. Several county roads that intersect these highways provide access to the river. Refer to a local road map to figure out how to reach those access points.

No matter which chapter of the Toccoa River story you choose to read first, whether it be the free-flowing upper river or the regulated lower river, one constant theme is plenty of trout available for the catching. Basic trout tactics are all that is required to tap into this great fishery.

For more information on the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, contact the Chattahoochee National Forest Supervisor's Office at (770) 297-3000. A Chattahoochee National Forest map, which is a great resource for finding public land fishing opportunities, is available for a nominal fee from the Web site, at www.fs.fed.us/conf/maps.htm.

Dallmier has also authored the book FISHING GEORGIA, a FalconGuide Book to Fishing in the Peach State. Autographed copies can be purchased from the author for $21 (postage paid) by mailing a check to 90 Dogwood Hill, Menlo, GA 30731. For more information about the book, visit http://home.alltel.net/kevin90/ index.html on the Web.