I went to the upstate for work last Wednesday. Got a couple of hours Thursday morning exploring the 12 Mile before I had to go to Greenville for work. I didn’t see any fish rising but did manage to fall in the river. Lesson learned, and after my wife bandaged me up I felt I was ready for the Chattooga. So on Saturday morning I headed up, stopping in at the Chattooga River Fly Shop for some flies and advise. The couple there are great and put me in the right direction. I parked at Burrells Ford Bridge and spent most of the morning fishing both sides of the river both up and down stream to no avail. What a beautiful place though. A couple of guys I met suggested I go back to the Chattooga River Fly Shop, get a map, and ask for directions to the Chauga. I arrived at the Chauga around 1:45, another incredibly beautiful place. There seemed to be more opportunities for a novice so I was pretty excited. I fished all the spots that looked as if they were holding fish and then came across a piece of river that was a little deeper where the water went from very fast to slow and saw fish rising and a silvery flash. I ended up landing two lovely Rainbows about 10" and 14". One was caught on a chartreuse streamer another on a dry fly. All in all a great experience. I can’t wait to get back.
Fish big bend road on the chattoga not far from burrels ford campground, a hike to the water but well worth it
14’ Skiff-“Redfish Reaper”
Thanks yakman. I’ll try it next time. Might take a mountain bike.
Did you fish near the campground, Cassidy Bridge, or Spider Valley, on the Chauga?
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I’m not sure Mixed Nutz. Just went to the end of the road and walked down a wide, steep path that wound to the right before reaching the river. I didn’t have waders so only got to fish about 100 yards or so of river. I used a 5 weight but think a 3 weight would have worked better. It’s catch and release only there, not that I would have kept any fish. I’m looking forward to getting back in late January or early Feb with waders. Going stir crazy not fly fishing right now and think I’ve reached the end of the internet as far as fly fishing videos go. I’ll be in Napa mid January and March so hopefully will find some fishing there.
Sounds like it might have been Spider Valley, not sure though? Also I’m not so sure that stretch of the Chauga is catch and release only? (my daughter, wife and I brought home 20 last time we were there) I know you fly guys are a particular bunch when it comes to baits, but, if you want to catch the bigger Brown’s on the Chauga, try med. minnows, on a gold #6 hook. Fish just below the rapids, at the upper end of the deep pools. You won’t believe the size of some of the fish in that little river!
Have you tried the Saluda (Greenville Co.) where SCDNR rebuilt(?) the stretch of river? It’s a fly fisherman’s dream. A friend of mine and his son caught and released 77 a couple of weeks ago. All stockers, but a whole bunch of fun. One last thing, if you can, try the big bend about 1/4 mile above Blythe Shoals, on Saluda. There’re some some truly big boys there. Blythe Shoals is a private stretch of river, somehow, even though it’s navigable, so pay attention to SCDNR regulations!
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Karl(the guy at the fly shop) knows his stuff, be sure to listen to what he says. Headed up there friday. i have been many times. beautiful rivers full of fish. on one of the trips last winter two buddies and i caught 250+ plus fish in three days. it was kind of dumb but they had been stocked well and the chauga is a lot less fished than the chatooga, that is a hint right there. beautiful country up in those parts thats for sure.
17’ Scout 115 Yamaha
The best thing about the Chatooga and the Chauga is that both rivers have long stretches without roads that require hikes, which 75% of fisherman cant or won’t do. You can go 1/2 a mile down those rivers away from access points and kill them. I like to fly fish, but also spin fish. It just depends on my mood. I really haven’t done a lot of fishing there in the last 10 years but come hell or high water I am taking my boy this spring. Another great option is the East Fork at the hatchery. I saw a bud catch and release a 24" brown there one day . Lots of spots away from the trail. If you hike to the confluence of the Chatooga to Ellicot rock you can have great fishing and solitude.