Smith Creek

Stream Location: White County

Special Regulations: Delayed Harvest from November 1st – May 14th

Wild Trout: Unknown; I have yet to try and explore above Ruby Falls

Stocked: Rainbow, Brook, and Brown

Other Species of Note:

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis, Royal Wulff, Terrestrials 

Nymphs: Caddis Puppa, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Stone, Squirmy Wormy, Mop, and Perdigon 

Streamers: Minnows, and Wooly Buggers

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Wading Stick: Yes

Casting: Overhead, Tuck, Bow and Arrow, and Roll

About:

Starting at the mouth of Ruby Falls in Unicoi State Park, then going in to Unicoi Lake, then starting again below the dam at Unicoi Lake you have Smith Creek. Smith Creek is a year round stocked stream available to all anglers, however Smith Creek doesn’t really begin at Ruby Falls, it truly begins above the falls and has the possibility to have wild brook trout in its head waters (this I haven’t explored yet). Still yet Smith Creek might be one of the prettiest streams I have encountered here in Georgia and it is one of five Delayed Harvest Streams. The Delayed Harvest season here in Georgia is from November 1st – May 14th, and the Delayed Harvest section for Smith Creek is located from the mouth of Unicoi Dam to the Unicoi State Park boundary. 

Honestly I am not being fictitious about how beautiful this stream is, it is truly an amazing freestone stream that is meticulously cleaned by the workers of the park. Also it has the best parking area that I have ever seen on a Delayed Harvest Stream, not to mention there is a set of permanent bathrooms on site. Realistically it feels like you are fishing at a resort, because technically you are. 

The Stream, like I previous said, is a freestone stream that runs the mouth of Ruby Falls down to the Lake Unicoi. This section is only stocked during the summer time, take note that most of the fish here will probably fished out by the end of October, and looks like a mountain stream slowly meandering down to the lake. But the real gem of the stream is below the dam. Here you will find a quick moving stream that has long pockets, deep holes, several undercuts, and utterly beautiful water. From what I have seen, the State of Georgia does not slack off when it comes to DH waters, Georgia puts some slabs in these waters. 

As far as fly fishing, using mop flies, squirmies, and streamers work really well during the stocked season and the early months of the DH season. However after these fish become more accustomed to the stream and its traditional meal base, fly fishermen need to switch over to more traditional flies (ie pat’s stonefly, prince nymphs, pheasant tails, hares ear, and zebra midges… especially zebra midges during the winter months, I cannot stress how important these flies are during the winter months). During the stocking season you can pretty much fine the stockers in the deeper sections or in fast runs, but during the DH season you need to cover all of the stream because of water temps and the fish being able to freely move. 

Now for the bummer part! I know, I know, there is always a bummer part. Because Smith Creek is located in Unicoi State Park, and because of the Town of Helen, Georgia this stream gets hit hard year round. There really isn’t any good time to come here where you will be alone with the stream. However even though this stream can get very crowded I still would recommend it over some of the other streams here in Georgia just on how beautiful it is. Also there is a required parking pass that all visitors must purchase; you can get a yearly pass or you can get a day pass, I would strongly recommend just getting the yearly pass because this allows you to park in any Georgia State Park. 

Directions:

Turner Creek

Stream Location: White County

Wild Trout: None

Stocked: Rainbow Tout and Brown Trout

Other Species of Note:

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis, Royal Wulff, Terrestrials 

Nymphs: Caddis Puppa, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Stone, Squirmy Wormy, Mop, and Perdigon 

Streamers: Minnows, and Wooly Buggers

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Wading Stick: Yes

Casting: Overhead Tuck, Bow and Arrow, and Roll

About:

I am seriously feeling deja vu as I write this stream write up, it really seems that Georgia has a lot of creeks are set up for spin fishermen, or for those that really just want to take some fish home with them. Turner Creek is a very, very small creek that has very limited access, if I ever find a new access point to it that is on public land I will update you readers. 

Turner creek is a spring creek that has a freestone bottom, it looks a lot like a certain spring creek in Virginia that I love to fish. However there is very limited access to this stream. I would use everything in my arsenal to hammer these fish. Keep close to banks and also fish deep in the section where water flows over a grated sections. Just be warned; there is not a lot of creek to fish and getting into this area is a bit sketchy. I wouldn’t right off this creek if you are looking for some fish to take home, again fish it deep and be very thorough.

Directions:

Chickamauga Creek

Stream Location: White County

Wild Trout: None

Stocked: Rainbow Tout

Other Species of Note:

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis, Royal Wulff, Terrestrials 

Nymphs: Caddis Puppa, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Stone, Squirmy Wormy, Mop, and Perdigon 

Streamers: Minnows, and Wooly Buggers

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Wading Stick: Yes

Casting: Overhead Tuck, Bow and Arrow, and Roll

About:

I have almost come to conclusion that the state of Georgia loves to create areas designed specially for spin fishermen and also some for fly fishermen. Chickamauga Creek has only 30 yards of access, it is literally just one large hole that someone can fish for a couple hours. I am positive that this creek gets fished out almost as soon as it gets stocked. I have spent hours looking for other spots that the state of Georgia could also stock, however my search has not yielded anything as of yet. I have even went as far as to ask a local fly shop about it and they are almost certain that this is the only area that fishing is allowed publicly. 

The stream flows straight off of a small water fall into a massive hole, one that is very deep. From there it flows down past a nice wood covered bridge, then you will see the no trespassing signs begin. 

My advice is to fish this hole using nymphs, mops, squirmies, or using a wooly bugger. The reason being is that I believe that the fish that are stocked here get hammered with about everything but a fly. Using something very buggy might produce a very productive day. I wouldn’t right off this creek if you are looking for some fish to take home, fish it deep and be very thorough.

Directions:

Crumbley Creek

Stream Location: White County

Wild Trout: None

Stocked: Rainbow Tout

Other Species of Note:

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis, Royal Wulff, Terrestrials 

Nymphs: Caddis Puppa, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Stone, Squirmy Wormy, Mop, and Perdigon 

Streamers: None

Waders: No

Net: No

Wading Stick: No

Casting: Tuck, Bow and Arrow, and Roll

About:

Well I finally found a place that is a spin fishermen’s dream come true, this stocked stream is very small and also very confined. You will be lucky to even be able to roll cast on this stream. Your best bet is to cast out just enough to carry your fly down the stream a bit, then using a tuck cast bring your fly or nymph back up stream to float down. 

The stream is very small and confined, as I have previously said, however the stream seems to be a very healthy freestone stream. The main problem with this stream and why it should not really be considered is that it has very little public access, not even 30 yards. Also It is very tough to fish unless you are a very skilled in fishing in very confined areas. My advice is to go to Smith Creek if you are in the area.

Directions: