7:50 a.m. on April 20, 2008 (EDT)
RalphS
New Member
Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 1
Fly Fishing Conasauga River
I am over in Atlanta on a business trip late May and want to take a long weekend to flyfish in the Cohutta Wilderness Area. Not afraid to trek a few miles to the river and camp pretty much anywhere. Is anybody out there who can give me some tips of where to go best at that time of year. Thanks a lot
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4:16 p.m. on April 20, 2008 (EDT)
adam g
Full Member
Joined: May 15, 2005
Posts: 81
Re: Fly Fishing Conasauga River
Can't say I've seen anyone catch any fish there but I can tell you about the trails to get to it.
Easiest one to hike is the Conasauga River Trail starting at Betty Gap on FSR 64. About 3 miles to get to the river. Then the trail is the river basically. Decent camping on both sides of the rivers. Be ready for river crossings often. River isn’t that deep but trekking poles (or maybe a walking stick) make it easier with a pack.
As easy as above is Chestnut Lead Trail from FSR 68. About the same distance to the River and in fact meets the CRT at the same place. There’s a large over camped area there.
Dry but somewhat out of the way is Cowpen Trail from 3 Forks Mountain to Panther Creek Trail. It’s about 7 miles to the top of the falls on Panther Creek and then what might be a challenging decent down a boulder field to CRT. The boulder field can be a challenge on the ascent as well. Very nice views of the sunset from the top of the Falls and can also be reached from the CRT from the bottom.
Tear Britches trail is an option but I'd only use to bail since it's very steep with no switch backs (that I recall at least) and a b*tch anytime I've been on it.
When camping keep in mind that the Conasuaga and the Jacks are in very deep and steep valleys that drain large ares of land. So small shower upstream can rasie the water level quickly.
You're looking at 15 to 20 miles on gravel roads so if you're getting a rental car, get something with enough suspension to not wear you out before you get to the trail head.
For maps get the Chattahoochee Natl Forest Map that’ll show you the FSRs and USGS of Hemp Top & Dyer Gap. Searcht he archives here for Cohutta Wilderness to see more.
Be sure to pick up your trash and enjoy, it’s a pretty awesome place for GA.
ag
CRT = Conasauga River Trail
FSR = Forest Service Road.
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