Chattahoochee River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/18/2026
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Atlanta area tailwater (Buford Dam → downstream trout water)
Report Date: January 18, 2026 | Next Update: January 25, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter tailwater clarity and steady releases have the trout keyed on small winter bugs — think BWO and midges — but big browns remain responsive to streamers. Presentations and light tippets win right now.
Flows & Clarity
Typical Buford Dam minimum winter release: ~650 CFS (stable tailwater flow)
Water Clarity: Mostly clear to lightly tannic in spots — visibility good for fine presentations
Typical Buford Dam minimum winter release: ~650 CFS (stable tailwater flow)
Water Clarity: Mostly clear to lightly tannic in spots — visibility good for fine presentations
Water Temperature
Current: ~40–44°F (4–7°C)
Daily trend: Cold mornings, mild afternoons can trigger short hatch windows
Current: ~40–44°F (4–7°C)
Daily trend: Cold mornings, mild afternoons can trigger short hatch windows
Weather & Wind
Expect cool mornings, sun to partly cloudy afternoons; light to moderate breeze can pick up midday. Dress in layers; fish warms-up windows.
Expect cool mornings, sun to partly cloudy afternoons; light to moderate breeze can pick up midday. Dress in layers; fish warms-up windows.
Access & Logistics
Main access (near Atlanta) open. Road conditions generally good; watch for icy spots at walk-ins early in the day. Park only at designated lots.
Main access (near Atlanta) open. Road conditions generally good; watch for icy spots at walk-ins early in the day. Park only at designated lots.
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue‑Winged Olive (BWO) | #16–22 | Moderate–High | Warm afternoons; small, short-lived rises — match size and profile closely |
| Midges (various stages) | #18–24 | Steady | All day; best around mid‑afternoon and dusk. Indicator/Euro tactics work well |
| PMD / Small mayfly activity | #16–20 | Light | Intermittent in afternoon warm spells — try emergers |
| Caddis | #14–18 | Light | Evening and near cover; good as a changeup if BWOs quiet |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | #6–10 | Absent / Very low | Not a winter factor on this stretch |
Recommended Flies (Top choices tied to current winter patterns)
Dry Flies & Emergers (BWO / PMD / small dries)
Small, realistic dries and emergers are the primary go‑to on warm afternoon windows. Float and present carefully — light tippet and small leaders will pay dividends.
- Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — classic silhouette for hesitant BWOs.
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan — excellent soft presentation for low caddis activity evenings.
- Stealth Link Mercer - PMD — go‑to emergent/soft hackle profile for PMD windows.
- Sparkle Dun - PMD (Cream/Yellow) — visibility plus delicate profile for picky trout.
Nymphs (Euro / indicator rigs)
Low, clear flows reward subtle, well‑weighted nymphs fished tight to the bottom or under a light indicator. Euro nymphing and two‑fly indicator rigs are producing fish now.
- Egan's Poacher — Olive — ideal anchor/perdigon style for low flows and sight‑reading currents.
- Egan's Poacher — Black — a contrast option that reads differently in winter light.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive — great for euro and jigging under an indicator; fish it near structure and seams.
- Pheasant Tail — Tungsten — slim, classic profile for nymph rigs when BWOs and small mayfly nymphs are on the menu.
Streamers & Big Profiles
When fish aren’t rising, swing a streamer. Big browns and opportunistic trout will take articulated sculpin imitations and compact baitfish patterns in runs and pocket water.
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — a top choice for targeting lies near structure.
- Sculpzilla — Olive — compact sculpin profile for stripping along rock lines.
- Galloup's Slick Willy — Whitefish — baitfish imitation that draws aggressive takes.
- Near Nuff Sculpin — Olive — chunky profile for deeper runs and undercut banks.
Midges & Winter Micro Nymphs
Tiny beaded and zebra‑style midges are the winter workhorses. Fish them tight on a long, fine leader or on a dropper below a larger nymph.
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — reliable tungsten beaded zebra profile for indicator or euro setups.
- Black Mirage Zebra Midge — great micro silhouette under an indicator.
- Top Secret Midge — simple, effective midge for picky winter trout.
- Tungsten Zebra Midge — Thin Black — thin profile that fishes naturally in still seams and eddies.
Tactics & Tips
Presentation is everything this time of year.
- Start mornings with small nymphs on a 9–12' leader and a long‑range indicator; sizes 18–22 for midge patterns, 14–18 for baetis/PMD nymphs.
- Euro nymphing (short tippet lengths, tight line) is highly effective in clear, steady flows — use the Poacher/Perdigon style flies to search seams.
- When the sun comes out, switch to a small dry or emerger and work slack seams & foam lines. Even short, subtle rises can be trout keying on BWOs.
- Streamer sessions can trigger big fish: slow strips through deep runs and along large boulders; fish the Sculpin/minnow patterns on sinking tips or weighted lines.
- Tippet: 6X–5X for dries and emergers; 3X–4X for nymphs (depending on fish size and current). Keep casts drag‑free — short mend, then hold drift.
- Watch water temperature spikes in the low afternoon — those are the most reliable feeding windows right now.
- Start mornings with small nymphs on a 9–12' leader and a long‑range indicator; sizes 18–22 for midge patterns, 14–18 for baetis/PMD nymphs.
- Euro nymphing (short tippet lengths, tight line) is highly effective in clear, steady flows — use the Poacher/Perdigon style flies to search seams.
- When the sun comes out, switch to a small dry or emerger and work slack seams & foam lines. Even short, subtle rises can be trout keying on BWOs.
- Streamer sessions can trigger big fish: slow strips through deep runs and along large boulders; fish the Sculpin/minnow patterns on sinking tips or weighted lines.
- Tippet: 6X–5X for dries and emergers; 3X–4X for nymphs (depending on fish size and current). Keep casts drag‑free — short mend, then hold drift.
- Watch water temperature spikes in the low afternoon — those are the most reliable feeding windows right now.
Quick Rig & Gear Checklist
Rods & Lines
3–6 wt for dries/nymphs; 6–8 wt for streamers & heavier tactics
Floating line for dries & nymphs; sink tip for streamers
3–6 wt for dries/nymphs; 6–8 wt for streamers & heavier tactics
Floating line for dries & nymphs; sink tip for streamers
Tippet & Leaders
9–12' leaders; 6X–5X for dries; 4X–3X for nymphs; 2X–1X for big streamers
9–12' leaders; 6X–5X for dries; 4X–3X for nymphs; 2X–1X for big streamers
Essential Flies
Bring a selection from the lists above — keep several sizes of BWO/midge patterns and one or two streamer options
Bring a selection from the lists above — keep several sizes of BWO/midge patterns and one or two streamer options
Local Etiquette
Respect posted signs and private property; pack out everything and keep noise low near bank fishing spots
Respect posted signs and private property; pack out everything and keep noise low near bank fishing spots
