Chattahoochee River Fly Fishing Report - August 8/23/2025
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Georgia's Urban Tailwater — From Buford Dam Downstream
Report Date: August 23, 2025 | Next Update: August 30, 2025
Current River Conditions
Heads up: Recent lake turnover and variable releases have produced stained to murky water below Buford Dam while many downstream runs (Island Ford, Settles Bridge areas) remain fishable with better clarity. Expect streamer and nymph action where visibility is reduced; dry-fly windows still open in calmer, clearer pockets.
Flows & Clarity
Flow: Variable — check the USGS buford gage before you go. Recent lower-section readings have been in the low hundreds (gage-dependent).
Clarity: Stained to murky immediately below Buford Dam; clearer pockets downstream and near shallow riffles.
Flow: Variable — check the USGS buford gage before you go. Recent lower-section readings have been in the low hundreds (gage-dependent).
Clarity: Stained to murky immediately below Buford Dam; clearer pockets downstream and near shallow riffles.
Water Temperature
Current range: mid-50s °F in many tailwater reaches (typical late-August temps).
Trend: Cooling evenings and early-season runoff changes can drop temps quickly — watch early-morning highs.
Current range: mid-50s °F in many tailwater reaches (typical late-August temps).
Trend: Cooling evenings and early-season runoff changes can drop temps quickly — watch early-morning highs.
Weather & Wind
Expect summer heat with afternoon breezes. Wind can push surface bugs into lee banks — ideal for terrestrials and edge dries.
Expect summer heat with afternoon breezes. Wind can push surface bugs into lee banks — ideal for terrestrials and edge dries.
Access & Safety
Best access: below Buford Dam, Island Ford, Settles Bridge, Jones Bridge, Medlock Bridge.
Regulations: PFD requirements are in place for some reaches (check GA rules from Buford Dam south). Park hours and other rules apply — verify before fishing.
Best access: below Buford Dam, Island Ford, Settles Bridge, Jones Bridge, Medlock Bridge.
Regulations: PFD requirements are in place for some reaches (check GA rules from Buford Dam south). Park hours and other rules apply — verify before fishing.
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity (late-August)
| Insect | Size | Activity Level | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-winged Olive (BWO) | #14–18 | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Early morning & late afternoon |
| PMDs | #14–18 | Light–Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Midday to afternoon |
| Caddis (small grannulata/green sedge types) | #14–18 | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Evening and low-light windows |
| Midges | #18–22 | Steady ⭐⭐ | All day in slow pools |
| Terrestrials (hoppers, cicadas) | Imitative/hopper sizes | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Afternoon edges, warm calm days |
Recommended Flies (pattern links)
Pick flies for what the fish are eating and the current clarity. Below are patterns matched to local tactics — each links to the pattern for ordering or reference.
-
Blue-winged Olive & BWO emergers:
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — dependable BWO dry. -
PMD and small mayflies:
Split Case - PMD and Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD for subsurface and indicator work. -
Caddis patterns:
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) - Olive and Olsen's Foam Front End Loader Caddis - Tan for evening takes. -
Fast, tungsten nymphs & perdigons:
Egan's Warrior Perdigon - Rainbow and Olsen's Diabaetis Perdigon — great in clear pockets and indicator rigs. -
Classic nymphs:
Pheasant Tail Tungsten for reliable deep presentation. -
Rubber-legs / stonefly imitators (for faster runs):
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs — useful on heavy feeders and heavy-water pockets. -
Streamers & sculpin/peacock patterns (for stained water):
Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow - Sculpin #4, Sculpzilla - Olive, and Cheech Leech - Black. -
Terrestrials (hot afternoons):
Project Cicada and hopper-style attractors for edge fishing on warm, calm days.
Tactics & Quick Game Plan
Visibility Strategy: If the water is stained near Buford Dam, downsize to large-profile woolly/big streamers and heavy tungsten nymphs with a fast sink index. In clearer downstream pockets use lighter tungsten nymphs, perdigons, and well-presented dries.
Morning: Indicator nymphing with a tungsten pheasant tail or Pat's Rubber Legs under an indicator — target seams and the tails of runs.
Afternoon: Watch shorelines and foam lines for PMD/BWO activity. Switch to dries when rises are visible; otherwise fish emergers just below the surface.
Low-light & Evening: Caddis and terrestrial action — cast to foam seams and shallow riffles. Streamers along brush and structure can trigger aggressive takes at dusk.
Streamer Work: Short, sharp strips in stained water. In clearer water use longer glides and pauses through deep runs.
Morning: Indicator nymphing with a tungsten pheasant tail or Pat's Rubber Legs under an indicator — target seams and the tails of runs.
Afternoon: Watch shorelines and foam lines for PMD/BWO activity. Switch to dries when rises are visible; otherwise fish emergers just below the surface.
Low-light & Evening: Caddis and terrestrial action — cast to foam seams and shallow riffles. Streamers along brush and structure can trigger aggressive takes at dusk.
Streamer Work: Short, sharp strips in stained water. In clearer water use longer glides and pauses through deep runs.
Access, Regulations & Safety Notes
Regulations
Check Georgia DNR rules for trout sections and any temporary restrictions. PFD rules apply in stretches below Buford Dam — carry required safety gear.
Check Georgia DNR rules for trout sections and any temporary restrictions. PFD rules apply in stretches below Buford Dam — carry required safety gear.
River Etiquette
Parking at popular access (Island Ford, Settles Bridge) fills early — be courteous with space, pack out trash, and respect private property along bank approaches.
Parking at popular access (Island Ford, Settles Bridge) fills early — be courteous with space, pack out trash, and respect private property along bank approaches.
Pre-trip Checklist
Wading staff or boots, polarized sunglasses, quick-change leaders (6X–4X), a selection of tungsten nymphs and a few bulky streamers for stained conditions.
Wading staff or boots, polarized sunglasses, quick-change leaders (6X–4X), a selection of tungsten nymphs and a few bulky streamers for stained conditions.
Where To Fish Right Now
- Below Buford Dam: High fish density but clarity can be poor; favor streamers and heavy nymphs on cloudy/turnover days.
- Island Ford & Medlock Bridge Reaches: Clearer pockets, excellent for dries and tight-line nymphing.
- Settles Bridge & Jones Bridge: Good mix of runs and pocket water — try indicator rigs early, swap to dries in calm windows.
