Chattahoochee River - Atlanta, GA

Word got out fast yesterday after the hatchery truck made a visit. The water remains in "delayed harvest" status for another month, but the "catch and release" fishermen were out in force - on a workday. I woke up sick and decided I was too contagious to go in. After a shot in the ass and a prescription, I swung by the River. I landed a 12" brown in the first pool I fished, but no other takers. I thought sun block would be good - for my co-workers that don't understand the illness. There's no way I can show up for work tomorrow with sun on my face. I love Spring!

I elbowed into another spot and hooked up right away. The DNR has apparently dropped some large browns and my 3 wt. made me work. I lost that fish after several runs against my reel and three more fish after that. Several drifts of an EHC and I connect again. It's a subtle take and I suspect a weak fish. Fifteen seconds later I knew I was wrong. No measurement but I believe this thick brown was 15+ - and really pissed!

Chatooga River - Clayton, GA

Numb fingers and waiting for the sun while looking for big trout on the Chattooga... After seeking refuge here so many times this winter, I consider it my "home" river, even though it's three hours in the truck to be here.

I threw big streamers all weekend fishing and camping downstream from the bridge at Burrells ford. I raked my camp pool several times on Saturday, but after studying the water over press-pot coffee on Sunday morning, I hooked a 20"+ rainbow down deep. No measure, but it's the largest trout I've ever landed.

Prolog

My intention is to travel the Southern mountains, fish obsessively and write about it.