Trout up near Oconee state park?

General Fishing Discussion
1

Hey guys,

Taking a camping trip up to Oconee State Park, not far from the Walhalla trout hatchery, and about 40 mins from Jocassee.

Can’t take the jon boat with me, but I’d love to take a morning trip to a stream somewhere and let my 7 year old catch his first brown or rainbow.

Is the hatchery up in Walhalla still stocking the river there beside it?

Or any other suggestions. Just have to do it by the shore.

Thanks!

2

I used to wade way down stream from the hatchery until I stopped seeing cigarette butts & drink cans and I would find some older bigger browns & bows and a few brookies . Up stream is not so good. there are falls that keep the trout from going up stream. Take your insect repellant - those tiny cold water mosquitos and deer fly’s hurt! Also be aware of wasps and yellow jackets - In Jocassee There are some good places to trout fish from the bank - the water off some of those steep banks runs deep. The bait stores can tell you some good spots. Pretty place to vacation!

3
quote:
Originally posted by natureboy

I used to wade way down stream from the hatchery until I stopped seeing cigarette butts & drink cans and I would find some older bigger browns & bows and a few brookies . Up stream is not so good. there are falls that keep the trout from going up stream. Take your insect repellant - those tiny cold water mosquitos and deer fly’s hurt! Also be aware of wasps and yellow jackets - In Jocassee There are some good places to trout fish from the bank - the water off some of those steep banks runs deep. The bait stores can tell you some good spots. Pretty place to vacation!

Throw a rooster tail where the water pipe comes out of the hatchery. They in there. Also Burrells Ford at the bridge has been productive for me. If you don’t mind riding 30 minutes or so ride to Low Water bridge on HWY 28. DNR has a stocking map and report on there website that has numerous fishing spots but for me it has been the East Fork, Chattooga and Hell Hole on the Chauga. Good luck!

Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki

4

[quote]Originally posted by natureboy

I used to wade way down stream from the hatchery until I stopped seeing cigarette butts & drink cans and I would find some older bigger browns & bows and a few brookies . Up stream is not so good. there are falls that keep the trout from going up stream. Take your insect repellant - those tiny cold water mosquitos and deer fly’s hurt! Also be aware of wasps and yellow jackets - In Jocassee There are some good places to trout fish from the bank - the water off some of those steep banks runs deep. The bait stores can tell you some good spots. Pretty place to vacation!

Throw a rooster tail where the water pipe comes out of the hatchery. They in there. Also Burrells Ford at the bridge has been productive for me. If you don’t mind riding 30 minutes or so ride to Low Water bridge on HWY 28. DNR has a stocking map and report on there website that has numerous fishing spots but for me it has been the East Fork, Chattooga and Hell Hole on the Chauga. Good luck!

Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki

5

Use to fish Burrells Ford all the time when I lived in upstate. Never really went by the stocking map and report but did get lucky few times and they would show up unload some fish right off the bridge. Like said above get few different color rooster tail, some old shoes and walk/wade the river until you find some fish… Good luck let us know how you do hope to get back up there one day myself.

Sea Hunt 225
Yamaha F200

6

I was always fond of the panther martins myself. great lure

miss wading around in those cold arse streams during the summer. some of the rivers I fished had decent smallies sometimes too

“mr keys”

7

I always used Mepps or Panther Martin spinners and occasional wooly bugger or Prince Nymph on the fly rod. Hit the bridges/ stock spots on river and the pools below camp area and down the East Fork below the hatchery. Most consistent on the East Fork for me.

J Ford

8

We went to Burrell’s Ford a good bit when I was a kid. No fly fishing but bread balls and whole kernel corn worked well

9

Thanks guys, looks like we’ll be trying the river next to the hatchery. Nice and easy, just hopefully to put a couple rainbows or browns on my boy’s hook. And, skillet.

… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.