Photo Essay: Cold Day on the Toccoa

[Zach Matthews]

Lauren and I floated the Toccoa River with James Buice here in Georgia yesterday.  We had a blast but the conditions aren’t quite right yet.  We were hoping to catch the early black caddis hatch.  I saw a couple BWOs and a caddis or two, but temps were in the 40s and it was gusting to 15mph (which probably kept the hatches off).  Still had a great time, so for the first time in a while, I thought I’d post a photo essay.

I’m sure there was a good reason for this, but I don’t know what it was…

The Toccoa has more old train and highway trestle bridges than any other river I’ve ever fished.  This one is a little hairy to get through, as it’s about a driftboat wide at the footing, and moreover the open channel changes with the logjam.

“Damn, we’re in a tight spot!”

Hey now!  (It was pretty cold, so I borrowed this hat from Lauren to wear over my other wool beanie.)

(Wide version of the first shot).  James is the local Scott rep and a huge fan of stickers.  I think he puts stickers on his cereal boxes so he can admire them every morning over breakfast.

We ultimately only caught a couple dink fish.  But it’ll go off soon and we’ll go back.

Zach

[Roy Conley]

A week-ago Saturday, I was on the Toccoa and the water temp was 42 at 2 PM.

[Steve K.]

I’ve been through that trestle in my boat….and you’re right….it’s tight. The oars are useless as well….you have to pull them in to avoid snappage. I’m sure their is an extra tightening of certain muscles….when you are in a rubber raft…..and you are inches away from splinters and rusty railroad spikes.

Thanks for posting Zach!

[Cameron Mortenson]

Zach…great photo essay and cute hat.

[J.T. Griffin]

Great pics Zach. Is “the tight spot” line a nod to “oh brother, where art thou?”

[Zach Matthews]

JT –

Oh yes; great movie.

Zach

[Corey Kruitbosch]

Good stuff Zach! No food shot?

[Eric DeWitt]

Since your south of the mason/dixon (i think), i guess its ok to call 40 deg cold.

Nice shots.

[Tim Angeli]

Looks like a fun trip Zach.

[Mark Landerman]

42 is cold?

[Zach Matthews]

It was the wind.

[Neal Osborn]

Cool trip report – did you find my rod and reel?

[john michael white]

It was the wind.  I’ve been fishing all winter in sub 20 temps in the mountains, but sitting immobile in the boat with a 15mph headwind will make you cold.

Zach

And the humidity I suspect.

[Author]

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