Mike Lewis
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Hey Mike, my go-to float would be the Hooch as well. Just out of curiosity, were you saying the Hooch above Buford or below Buford to Morgan would only have 2 or 3 unique runs? I only ask because I was under the impression that the floats below Buford provided good fishing. Or maybe it’s just a lot of frog water? Having only waded the obvious locations below Buford I’m interested in what the rest of the river holds…
I was referring to the number of runs on the upper section that would have a proper boat ramp on each end of the trip. There is a lot of good water throughout the whole stretch from Buford to Paces.
I like the cataraft idea too, is there a complete fishing kit that anyone offers?
I’ve been mulling this issue over for years myself. I actually owned a small 2 man driftboat at one point and it was pretty fun to fish out of.
For my waters (mostly the hooch), launching a driftboat is an all day trip. The route Zach mentioned, JF to 41, is a long float for one day for a lot of people.
Shuttling then becomes an issue also as you have the truck and trailer 10 miles away. The upper hooch would only lend it self to 2 or 3 unique runs.
I also have some storage challenges (no garage) so I store all of my canoes by hanging and locking underneath my deck. Renting a storage unit for a boat and trailer looks like about $120 a month.
For now, I am sticking with lightweight canoes (solo and tandem) that can be launched anywhere for any length trip and shuttled back by most any other vehicle.
However, in a dream world, I would have a garage and a jet boat.
The single item that has improved my fishing experience has been the introduction of craft beers in cans to the marketplace. Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale is my favorite. Now I can enjoy a delicious ale without the hindrance of a heavy, dangerous, or prohibited glass bottle.
Very nice work Zach.
I’ve had a mixed season which has greatly improved in the last two months for me.
Water temps kicked down to 62 this morning, but should hold for a few more weeks. The end seems somewhat near though.
Got some good memories as well.
I have a simple text document that I have been keeping on my home river since 2004. I have it backed up in a few locations as it has more than 450 lines now. Probably would have been more but some quick trips (mostly skunks) have been left off every now and then.
I keep date, water flow, water and air temp, water turbidity, weather and moon phase conditions as well as what I caught and what I used.
It’s somewhat useful to look back on to see certain trends and whne certain species arrive/leave over the years.
Sorry about the bad luck. A stainless cable is what I typically see. If you want some give, you could attach a large spring in-line, similar to what you see on a door or dog tie-off
Thanks for the write up guys. I have been looking to add a SUP to the fleet… leaning towards versa board.
Totally jinxed myself on the never break off comment (should have said somewhat rarely). I got into three of them last night. Should have retied my knot, but no, got popped off by the third. Tried to use a reasonably close facsimile of your fly, seemed pretty hot. Thanks for the tip.
]That’s pretty much what I’ve gathered too Zach.
Can you tell me more of this fly this fly:
I’ve tried a ton of patterns, and mostly been successful with my version of the Clouser Deep Minnow in standard colors.
For gear, I use a 9 wt. RPLXi with a low end Lamson and Rio outbound Short (clear tip). This set-up is not perfectly matched, the front end of the reel seat could be a little tighter in the rod (left to right). Casts pretty well with small or large flies though with limited or no flase casting.
Then about 4-5 feet of 17 pound floro. Non-slip mono loop. Never had one break me off on this line, but my bigger fish have come in years past on spinning gear.
As for darker hours, you got to figure out which gates don’t get closed, and maybe a friend with some river access……
Fun anecdote, three summers ago I was fishing below where that bridge you are walking on leads to. There was a honda accord in the river. Someone stole it and drove it across that bridge joy riding. As that bridge is too light and narrow for large vehicles, the tow truck had to drag across the entire river to get it out.
Nice work Zach. I’m building one for my beast canoe this weekend. That thing is about 150 pounds loaded, and it wears me out.
Flying into Atlanta Monday. From the airport going to Duluth, am I better going Hwy 285 or through downtown on Hwy 85?
If you land before say, 330-4pm, I would go 85. Saves several miles. Atlanta traffic is typically mild on Mondays, especially in the summer. I work off of Sugarloaf Pkwy in Duluth and make most of that drive daily.
A friend of mine gave me the Scientific Anglers indicator line for my 6 wt. Seems like normal line but the last 3 feet was bright orange (now faded orange). Casts quite good, I use it mostly for larger dries but also works good all-around for nymphs and streamers.
Rio says their new indicator lines pair pretty well with the indicator leaders.
