Here's a sample of the type of reports you will get when you subscribe...

Spring Fishing Tips and Best Bets

I have a love/hate relationship with Springtime. I LOVE the fact that almost all of the species of fish are plentiful and biting almost EVERYWHERE. I HATE the fact that I have to choose a single destination each time I get the opportunity to fish! Because there's so much going on this time of year I have a very hard time giving you a "BEST BET"... so instead - I'm going to give you a bunch of 'em... and you'll have to choose ;)

For you trout fishermen there's a lot of interesting things going on right now. For those who bought my Chattahoochee DH Guide, take a look at the section entitled "A Fun Day Afternoon in March"... it's a great diversion and something different that is happening right now :) - Just don't tell too many people about it ;)

This is also a GREAT time to be on Georgia's AND North Carolina DH water...

According to Unicoi Outfitters the Toccoa DH (I haven't been lately myself) is fishing great right now and in no small measure due to the fact that the Federal Hatchery stocked it with some very nice brook trout recently. Of course, those new fish respond well to junk flies like San Juan worms, egg patterns and Y2K Bugs but we have been having very good success on top with tan X-Caddis. If you have to go below and don't want to use junk flies, try medium size stonefly nymphs under an indicator.

Other DH waters, especially those in North Carolina such as the Nantahala and Tuckaseegee are absolutely at the peak load of fish for the year. That, combined with the frequent hatches up there this time of year can provide a once-in-a-lifetime fishing day. More on this in The Definitive Guide to the Tuckaseegee River.

And aside from all that - Trout season opens this Saturday (the 31st). All the seasonal streams that have been closed since last year will be open and typically will be stocked heavily for opening day. For your wild streams, this is absolutely the best time of the year to hit them for holdover fish. These fish have had the entire winter to put on weight unhindered by anglers - there's no better time to target them. There's too many seasonal streams in Georgia to list here but Georgia DNR offers a downloadable trout maps on their web site. Of course we also have the one and only Angler's Guide to the Chattahoochee River and there isn't a better time of year to pick up a copy.

On the warm water side of things... this is the time of year when the fun REALLY begins...

Water temps in the lakes are hitting the 60's and rising. Largemouth and Spotted Bass are starting to move shallow, White Bass have moved up the rivers with Hybrids and Stripers to follow, and the Crappie are moving onto the beds. Here's a couple prime destinations for the White Bass run which is happening as you read this...

Coosa River: White bass congregate in the upper Coosa as they make their annual upstream spawning run from Lake Weiss. The area around Mayo's Bar Lock and Dam is a prime fishing spot and is perfect for the family as there is also a county park with bait, supplies, restrooms and camping. This area has a paved boat ramp and is good for the boat and bank angler alike. Good white bass fishing can also be found from the lock and dam down to the Georgia Hwy. 100 crossing.

Oconee & Apalachee River: Once water temperatures reach 50 degrees in March and April, white bass begin to make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee. Anglers can access the Oconee River at the Dyar's Pasture boat ramp and the SR 15 boat ramp, both in Greene County, and work their way upstream. There is bank access at the Dyar's Pasture site. Look for water temps in the mid 50's for White Bass. Fish larger 1/8 oz for the white bass and 1/8 - 1/32 tipped with minnows for the Crappie. For White Bass concentrate on those areas below and on sand bars in shallow water. White and Chartreuse are great colors. Crappie can literally be anywhere depending on the day but generally hold very tight to cover (undercut banks, humps, downed trees). The Apalachee can be accessed at the Swords boat ramp in Morgan County. The upper reaches of these rivers may be shallow, so exercise caution.

Clarks Hill Lake: White bass fishing in the Little and Broad rivers of this lake is excellent this time of year. Anglers can access Little River (by boat or bank) at the Hwy. 78 crossing (note: fallen trees may limit boat access). There is also bank access at the Hwy. 80 crossing on the Clarks Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Access for Broad River can be found at Broad River Campground, Gill Point Recreation Area, Cooter Creek and Bobby Brown State Park. Fish tend to congregate around Anthony Shoals, located about two miles upstream of Hwy. 79, and anglers can fish by boat or bank (note: use caution boating upstream of Hwy. 79 as the river channel is narrow).

Chattahoochee River: A hot spot on this river is in the upper reaches of West Point Reservoir near the town of Franklin. Anglers should target the mouth of New River and work their way up towards Franklin. As the flows and temperatures begin to rise, the fish move upriver towards the shoals above Franklin. Boat anglers can access this area by running upriver from West Point or put in at the boat ramp located on the west side of the river off SR 100 (U.S. Hwy. 27). There is also bank fishing access at this boat ramp.