Georgia ·
Chattahoochee River Fly Fishing Report - September 20, 2026
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER
ReportSEP 20 — 27, 2026
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Flow
2430CFS
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NEAR NORCROSS, GA
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Water Temp
57.6°F
Updated 2026-09-20
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Weather
70–92°F
Partly Cloudy
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is elevated at 2,430 CFS with a gauge height of 4.15 ft, roughly double the pace from last week's report — expect slightly off-color water and fish pushed tighter to seams and softer edges. Water temperature is a trout-friendly 57.6°F, and with air temps climbing to 91°F today, the morning window is your best shot before heat index values push toward 97.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22
Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
20
Olsen's Peacock Blowtorch Barbless #22 - 24
22
Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18 - 32
18
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
12
Tungsten Rainbow Warrior - Extra Heavy #14
14
Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
20
Pheasant Tail Tungsten #20
20
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Olive #20
20
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
14
Juju Baetis Tungsten - Purple #22
22
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Moderate | 10 AM - 1 PM |
| Midge | 20-24 | Heavy | 7 AM - 10 AM |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Light | 5 PM - 7 PM |
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | 18-20 | Light | 11 AM - 2 PM |
Best Time Window
- 7 AM - 10 AM: Prime midge hatch window — fish the slower tailouts and pool edges with small tungsten midges before air temps climb and fish push deeper.
- 10 AM - 1 PM: BWO activity window — watch the inside bends for rising fish and be ready to switch to a dry fly presentation along the foam lines.
- 5 PM - 7 PM: Late caddis and cooling air temps bring fish back to the surface — work the tail of pools with a caddis dry before the slight storm chance arrives.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows nearly double last week's levels, forget the middle of the river and work the margins — specifically the inside bends, the soft water directly behind any exposed boulders, and the slower water along cut banks. Set your indicator so your flies are ticking the bottom at 2–3 feet deep in these softer pockets. The 57.6°F water temp is ideal for trout metabolism, so fish are feeding actively — the challenge today is presentation depth and drag-free drifts in the complex currents created by the higher flow. Get on the water by 7 AM before the heat index climbs toward 97°F and fish become lethargic; the midge and early BWO window before noon is your prime opportunity.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
