Reading the water…
Reading the water…
02
Salmo trutta
Wild, river-born fish — the Chattahoochee sustains a reproducing population.
Best bait & lures
Minnow-imitating jerkbaits & streamers
Also effective: Large nymphs, Sculpin patterns.
Artificial lures only from GA 20 down to Medlock Bridge. Single lures with treble hooks are legal here — the single-hook rule belongs to delayed-harvest waters farther downstream. Regulations →
Technique
Hunt low light
First light, last light, and overcast days. Cover water quietly and fish the banks before you wade through them.
Best time
Fall & winter
Low light beats midday in every season.
Best spots
The artificial-only stretch from Settles Bridge to Medlock Bridge
The artificial-only stretch from Settles Bridge to Medlock Bridge — wood, shade lines, and the deeper outside bends.
Bigger, warier, and more nocturnal than the stocked rainbows.
Where to find them: Structure and shade — undercut banks, blowdowns, and deeper runs, especially in the artificial-only water below GA 20.
Advice specific to Buford Tailwater. Check conditions →