Mountaintown Creek
Fly fishing in Georgia · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Mountaintown Creek is a smaller stream known for its challenging access and healthy wild trout population, rewarding those who venture in.
Fishing Recommendations
🎣 Location Overview
Mountaintown Creek is one of North Georgia’s most prestigious and sought-after trout waters. Located near Ellijay in the Coosawattee River watershed, this creek is a quintessential Appalachian freestone stream.
What makes it special is its "Jekyll and Hyde" personality. Large portions of Mountaintown are privately managed and trophy-regulated, producing some of the largest trout in the Southeast. However, the upper reaches flow through the Chattahoochee National Forest, offering a rugged, wild-trout experience. The water is crystal clear, characterized by deep ledge pools, rapid runs, and classic "pocket water" created by massive boulders. Anglers love it because it offers a chance at a true double-digit weight trout in a setting that feels much more remote than it actually is.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Rainbow Trout: The most common species. In the private stretches, these are often "beasts" that hold in the deep, oxygenated water at the head of pools. In the wild sections, they are smaller, scrappy, and hide behind mid-stream rocks.
- Brown Trout: The "kings" of the creek. Mountaintown Browns are notoriously predatory. They hold in the darkest undercuts and under "root balls" along the banks. They are most active during low-light conditions or when the water is slightly stained after a rain.
- Brook Trout: Primarily found in the high-elevation headwaters within the National Forest. These are small, colorful, and opportunistic feeders that thrive in the cold, plunge pools.
Feeding Behavior: In the managed sections, these fish are accustomed to high-protein diets. In the wild sections, they rely heavily on stoneflies, caddis, and terrestrial drop-ins from the dense rhododendron canopy.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (March – May): The absolute peak. As water temperatures hit the 50s, the insect activity explodes. You’ll see the best hatches of Quill Gordons and March Browns.
- Fall (October – November): A favorite for chasing large Browns moving into pre-spawn aggression. The foliage is stunning, and the cooling water sparks a major feeding binge before winter.
- Best Time of Day: During Spring, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM is prime as the sun warms the water. In the Fall, early morning and the "golden hour" before dusk are most productive for large fish.
- Prime Conditions: A rising barometer or 24 hours after a light rain (providing a "tea" stain to the water) is the best time to target trophy fish that are usually "line shy."
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs (Black/Tan #8-12), Pheasant Tail (Flashback #14-18), Prince Nymph (#12-16), and the "Sexy Walt’s" Worm.
- Dry Flies: Parachute Adams (#14-18), Elk Hair Caddis (Tan #14-16), and Yellow Stimulators during the summer months.
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers (Olive or Black), Sparkle Minnows, and Galloup-style articulated streamers for the trophy sections.
Effective Techniques
- High-Stick Nymphing: Because the creek has complex currents and many boulders, keeping your fly line off the water is crucial to avoid drag.
- The "Dry-Dropper": In the late Spring, a buoyant Stimulator with a small Pheasant Tail dropped 18 inches below is deadly in the riffles.
- Streamer Stripping: Cast tight to the opposite bank and use aggressive, erratic strips to trigger a "flight-or-fight" response from large Browns.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Stealth is Mandatory: Mountaintown is incredibly clear. If you can see the fish, they have likely already seen you. Wear earthy tones (camo or olive), stay low, and move upstream to stay behind the fish’s field of vision.
- The "Private" Advantage: Many anglers book a guide for the private sections (like those managed by Noontootla Creek Farms or other local outfitters). This is where the 20-inch-plus fish reside. If you want a trophy, save up for a day on the private water.
- Winter Secret: Don't overlook January. While cold, "midge" fishing on Mountaintown can be exceptional on sunny afternoons when the black midges hatch.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Access is tricky. The lower sections are almost entirely private property. Public access is available in the Cohutta Wilderness / National Forest area. Use the Forest Service roads (FS 64) to find trailheads leading to the upper creek.
- Regulations:
- Public Water: Follow Georgia DNR regulations (typically artificial lures only in certain mountain streams, check the current year’s trout regs).
- Private Water: Usually "Catch and Release" only with barbless hooks.
- Permits: You must have a valid Georgia Fishing License AND a Trout Supplement.
- Safety: The rocks in Mountaintown are notoriously slick ("Georgia Ice"). Felt-soled boots or studs are highly recommended. Cell service is non-existent in the upper reaches—tell someone where you are going.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | February, March, October, November | Midday | #18-22 | Parachute Adams #18-22, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Quill Gordon Epeorus confusus | mayfly | March | Midday | #12-14 | Quill Gordon #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14 |
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | April | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Hendrickson Emerger #14 |
| March Brown Maccaffertium vicarium | mayfly | April, May | Afternoon | #10-14 | March Brown Dry #10-12, Hare's Ear Nymph #10-14 |
| Light Cahill Stenacron interpunctatum | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #12-16 | Light Cahill #12-16, Cream Variant #14 |
| Golden Stonefly Acronuria | stonefly | May, June, July | All Day | #6-10 | Pat's Rubber Legs #6-10, Stimulator (Yellow) #8-12 |
| Green Sedge Rhyacophila | caddis | April, May, September | Evening | #14-16 | Green Caddis Larva #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16 |
| Little Yellow Stonefly Isoperla | stonefly | May, June, July | Late Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally #14-16, Little Yellow Stone Nymph #14-16 |
| Terrestrials (Ants/Beetles) Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #12-18 | Cinnamon Ant #16-18, Black Foam Beetle #14-16 |
| Zebra Midge Chironomidae | midge | December, January, February | Morning/Afternoon | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24 |