Hooked Up Designs Magazine December 2016 | Page 72

On Noontootla Creek, anglers can find both public and
managed private waters. Anyone can fish about 10 miles
of the creek where it wanders through the Chattahoochee
National Forest. About 2.5 miles of it flows through Noontootla Creek Farms, one of the premier private trophy trout
destinations in Georgia just outside the town of Blue Ridge.
Downstream from the farm, the creek flows through a public stretch, but turns private again until it enters the Toccoa
River.
On public waters on Noontootla Creek, anglers may only
keep one trout at least 16 inches per day. On private waters
running through the farm, anglers may only use fly tackle
with barbless hooks and must release everything they catch.
As a result, the stream produces some monster browns and
rainbows.
“Noontootla Creek is one of the best trophy trout streams
in the entire state of Georgia,” explained Rob Kaser, a Noontootla Creek Farms manager. “We regularly see 24-inch
trout come out of the creek and even a few 30-inchers.
When trout bite a fly in that swift water, people really have
a challenge getting them into the net.”

Catching trophy trout in the exceptionally clear waters
of Noontootla Creek often more resembles hunting than
fishing. Anglers must stalk wily old trout, many of whom
already tugged a line at least once. When stalking trout, stay
out of the water as much as possible. Sneak along the bank
to avoid creating any waves that fish can sense.
“Most of the time, we see fish before we even cast to them,”
Oyster advised. “Stealth is the number one concern when
fishing for trophy trout. If trout know someone is there, they
are difficult to catch. Most have been caught before. Watch
where your shadow falls. In most holes, there is only one
good way to approach it. Make the first cast count.”
Trout typically look upstream, watching for currents to
bring them food. Approach from downstream so that any
noise, silt or disturbed water flows away from the fish. Look
for trout in deeper holes and make casts as long as possible,
considering the narrowness of the stream and the trees
overhanging the bank.
The fish usually stay in the deeper holes, but sometimes
feed early in the morning or late in the evening in shallow
riffles. When fishing deeper holes, some people dangle a
tiny sinking fly, perhaps as small as a Size 22, from a strike
indicator. Let the rig drift naturally downstream. If necessary, attach a small split shot to the tippet to get the enticement down to the fish in swift water.

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HOOKED UP

DECEMBE

R 2016

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