Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater)
river in Georgia
The Buford Dam tailrace creates a consistent cold-water fishery stocked and supplemented for rainbow and brown trout, offering high-angling pressure but reliable catches.
River flow last 30 days
Nymphing remains highly productive
- 01Nymphing remains highly productive, targeting prevalent midges, scuds, and mayfly nymphs.
- 02Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are expected, particularly on overcast afternoons, offering dry fly opportunities.
- 03Streamer patterns are becoming increasingly effective for enticing larger, more aggressive trout as water temperatures continue to drop.
- 04Mysis Shrimp continue to be a crucial and consistent food source in this tailwater environment, especially when fished near the bottom.
Past reports week by week
12 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, and remain active in the fall.
Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear
A good general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and scuds which are active in the currents throughout fall.
Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive)
An essential streamer for enticing aggressive strikes from trout and smallmouth bass, imitating leeches and baitfish active in colder fall water.
Baetis Nymph
Baetis (BWO) nymphs are active year-round on tailwaters and spring creeks, with strong emergences expected in the fall.
Mysis Shrimp
Mysis shrimp are a consistent food source in tailwaters below Mysis-producing reservoirs year-round, effective when fished dead drift near the bottom.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Matches the expected fall BWO hatches, especially on overcast days, making it excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
A classic mayfly nymph, consistently effective year-round and particularly during fall Blue-Winged Olive periods.
Buy at AmazonWD-40
A consistent subsurface producer in tailwaters, effective for enticing Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout feeding on emerging midges and mayflies in a tailwater setting, particularly with recent temperature fluctuations.
Where to fish and who to ask
Buford Dam Tailrace / Public Access
Primary access immediately below Buford Dam with predictable flows and concentrated trout activity.
Chattahoochee River NRA - Cochran Shoals
Popular large public wade area within the National Recreation Area that receives heavy fly-angling pressure.
Jones Bridge Park (upper tailwater access)
Park access and wade-friendly banks used by local fly anglers for dry-fly and nymph fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Big T Fly Fishing
Alpharetta Outfitters
Bowman Outdoors
Fly Fishing North Georgia
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Georgia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater).
What flies work best on Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater) right now are Zebra Midge (80% confidence), Little Black Stonefly nymph (80% confidence), Midge (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater)?
Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater) holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Chattahoochee River (Buford Tailwater) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.