Author Archive

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals in Blue Ridge, GA offers special package rates for Fly Fishing and lodging.

Everybody loves a win – win scenario and we are happy to announce a new partnership with Kent Klewein, owner of Reel Job Fishing, LLC. His services are well known in Georgia and throughout the nation for putting his clients on trophy rainbow and brown trout on the streams and rivers of North Georgia. Reel Job Fishing isn’t just your average run of the mill fishing guide service. They’ve been operating guided fly fishing trips full-time since 2001 and their professional staff have been hand picked and trained by the owner to ensure you have the most enjoyable experience possible on the water. They’re known for not only catching fish but teaching their clients how to do it on their own. Hands down, Reel Job Fishing is one of the most qualified and competent fly fishing guide service in the Southeast. Its superb customer service rating and it’s 85% repeat business provides you with a guarantee you can take to the bank.

Kent Klewein has been recognized in just about every print fly fishing publication in the fly fishing industry. He’s been featured on multiple Radio and TV shows on ESPN and The Outdoor Channel.

Partnering with Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals gives Reel Job Fishing clients the “best of both worlds”. A wide variety of  affordable North Georgia cabin rentals conveniently located near the fly fishing streams and rivers that Reel Job knows best! Skill level is no concern. Reel Job Fishing can accommodate the first timer or the veteran who’s fly fished all over the world. Contact Southern Cabin Cabin Rentals to take advantage of this great offer.

 $50 OFF for Guided Fly Fishing Trips with Reel Job Fishing!

All trips include (Wade | Float | Lake)

• Refreshments
• High end – well maintained gear
• Waders
• Boots
• Rod and Reel
• Tippet
• Fly’s

Suggested Items:

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

New anglers or first timers will have tutorial to get the basics down before catching fish…

Blue Ridge Fire & Ice – Chili Cook Off is February 16

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals will be at it again this year! This time the “Chicks”…  Heather Stam and former Cooking Chick Kathryn Harris will be preparing  a Top Secret chili. This recipe is so Top Secret that we will feature it in the SoCo Cabins March newsletter! This annual event is sure to be a hit so show up early and taste your way down Main street. Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off will feature Interactive Professional Ice carvers as well as demonstrations. Chili Cook off, Live music, Ice skating rink set up in the City of Blue Ridge Park. Lots of fun for the whole family!

Blue Ridge Fire and Ice event information – 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Live Music from 1 to 4pm. All located in the Downtown Shopping district. Entry fee is $35, tasting tickets $5. Activities for Kids too!

Make it a weekend and book a Luxury or Cozy cabin rental near Blue Ridge or tucked away in the forest near a mountain stream. Visit the SCCR website to learn more and check availablity.

The Blue Ridge Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association

 

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN and AROUND BLUE RIDGE, GA

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals and the Blue Ridge Adventure Center are located in downtown Blue Ridge directly across the street from the downtown visitor’s center and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway depot at 240 West Main Street. Because of this prime location we have countless walk-ins looking for all the “fun stuff to do”. We have compiled a list of the top 10 Activities / things to do near Blue Ridge.

* For Everyone  ** For the Adventure Seeker

1. * The Blue Ridge Scenic Rail Road – The perfect family activity. This is a great way to spend quality time with friends or family. The volunteer scenic tour begins in Blue Ridge, GA and travels along the Toccoa River to McCayesvill, GA / Copperhill TN.
2. ** Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River – There are several great outfitters on the Ocoee River. Often referred to as “America favorite river” because of its easy access and thrilling rapids it’s a real treat for anyone who is looking for a rush! (Raft1 pictured above)
3. * Mercier orchards – This family owned and operated orchard provides countless options for visitors in the area. Activities and amenities include Upick fruits, General store, farmers market, and bakery severing world famous fried pies and homemade ice cream!
4. ** Zip Line Canopy Tour – Going had in hand with whitewater rafting adventure enthusiasts love the zip line canopy tours for its off the ground rush and free flowing feeling of flying tree top to tree top.
5. * Lake Blue Ridge – This man made reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) offers crystal clear waters and multiple access points for enjoyment. Boat and personal watercraft rentals are available at the marina Public beaches, camp sites and access points are available. Thanks to Surf Blue Ridge stand up paddle boarding has become a very popular activity on Lake Blue Ridge.
6. * Guided Fly Fishing – Known as the Trout Capital of Georgia there is no shortage of opportunities to fish for trophy trout. Increase your chances and hire a guide to navigate public waters or better yet gain access to private steams abundant with large good fighting trout in the cool year round north Georgia streams.
7. ** Blue Ridge Scenic Helicopter Tour – A new addition to Blue Ridge but not to the skies of Georgia. Blue Ridge Helicopters has operated commercially in Georgia for years they are now offering several scenic helicopter packages that will give you a whole new perspective on the area.
8. * Hiking & Waterfalls – This could really go both ways for everyone or the adventure seeker based on the trail system. The Blue Ridge Area is dotted with several well marked and mapped trail systems.
9. ** Tubing or Canoe the Toccoa River – One of the best spring, summer and fall activities. With several outfitter providing the gear it will be easy foryou to find that free flowing feeling on the Toccoa River. Float the upper Toccoa or Tail water (Toccoa below Lake Blue Ridge Dam) in a canoe or Tube, pack a lunch and let your worries melt away on the most scenic river in North Georgia
10. ** Horseback Riding in Cashes Valley or the Cohutta Wilderness Area – What better way to feel in charge than by horse back! Blue Ridge, Ga horseback riding is available through several family owned and operated stables.

Find out first hand why Blue Ridge, GA is often referred to as the base camp for adventure. You’ll discover that Blue Ridge is right in the center of the North Georgia Mountains and its close proximity to fun places such as the Aska Adventure Area, Toccoa River, Lake Blue Ridge, Appalachian Trail, Ocoee White Water Rafting, numerous Fly fishing streams and seasonal mountain festivals like the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ every September in the city park downtown.

The staff at the Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals is ready to help you find the fun things to do while you’re visiting Blue Ridge, GA so be sure to stop by because “Any Time of Year You’ll Find Southern Comfort Here!”

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals & Blue Ridge Adventure Center
240 West Main Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-258-3737

Right when you thought things at the iconic Blue Ridge Brewery were perfect, business at 187 Depot Street is about to pick up!

Set to open September 1, 2012, the all new and recently expanded Brew Room offers thirsty patrons a place to come and enjoy everything that the Brewery already offers plus some! The recent upgrades include; another full bar, increased seating capacity, and an intimate live music stage. These additions promise to add an enhanced flavor to the already diverse menu that visitors to the North Georgia Mountains swear by as their favorite fine dining establishment.

The new Brew Room is an extension of the existing bar, which offers a truly unique atmosphere in and of itself with shelves housing custom made mugs, walls with metal and wood accents and an incredibly deep selection of domestic and foreign craft beers and liquors. This expanded space also allows the brewer to create a wide variety of in-house brews to complement the impressive collection of current beers. Innovative and thoughtfully designed, the Brew Room boasts three custom built walk-in refrigerated coolers, laagering tanks, brewers kitchen and dry storage to support the all the brewers receipts.

If you have never been there before, the Blue Ridge Brewery isn’t your typical watering hole. For all of the high quality beverages and fine dining that the Brewery offers, the clientele that the Brewery attracts is most certainly not of the snooty variety, but rather a mish mash of all types. On any given day you’ll find everyone from bikers to local business owners, Blue Ridge cabin owners to local professionals and everyone in between. You can easily strike up a conversation with someone at the bar sitting next to you about local trout fishing or politics, and moments later find yourself talking to owner Patrick Walker about what his favorite German beer is and why.

Relaxing and entertainment are fantastic! It seems as if there is always something happening at the Blue Ridge Brewery. The sound system is great, often times spinning a cornucopia of different tunes off of an iPod. What’s better, soon customers will be able to enjoy their music totally live, starting with the soft opening from Danny Rhea on September 1^st! Other events like the Blue Ridge Blues Crawl on September 22^nd will feature musical talents of Roger “Hurricane” Wilson. This will be a welcome and well accepted addition to this growing music scene in the North Georgia Mountains.

So next time you plan to rent a cabin in Blue Ridge, GA or if you’re just passing through be sure to stop by the Blue Ridge Brewery. Because you never know who you might meet or what they might say, but we can guarantee it will be cool.

The Brew Ridge Brewery would like to thank Joe Placher of Cabin Watch for the swift and quality craftsmanship of the demolition and overall renovation of both bars. Also special thanks to Innovative Spray Solutions, a residential and commercial spray foam insulation company who aided in the completion of the custom built walk-ins. Be sure to stop by the Blue Ridge Brewery and check it out first hand.  Learn more or preview the menu at http://www.blueridgebrewery.com/

Blue Ridge Brewery | 187 Depot Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 | 706-632-6611

Looking for something unique to do when you visit Blue Ridge, Ga? Feel the ground rush and experience Blue Ridge in an unforgettable way… Check out the scenic tour of the North Georgia Mountains by helicopter! The one and only 600 Feet above the rest!

 

“It was awesome!” exclaimed two guests of Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals. They created a customized tour and flew over the cabin where they were staying then we went on to fly over Downtown Blue Ridge, Lake Blue Ridge, the Dam and the Toccoa River. The icing on the cake was the Texas two step and the ground rush experience, both which were executed on a private farm. The Texas two step is a special maneuver where the pilot holds the helicopter about 5 to 10 feet above the ground and starts to move it side to side. This motion creates a type of shimmy as you float right above the ground. After that they flew very fast across a field and a small lake then lifted off straight up to 600 feet. The pilot was extremely knowledgeable and you could tell he was very comfortable operating the helicopter and talking with us about the area.

 

Blue Ridge Helicopters has several tours available starting as low as $40 per person. Custom tours are also available for a special occasion (such as a proposal). The staff is very professional and accommodating.  Learn more about helicopter rides in Blue Ridge, GA with Blue Ridge Helicopters.

 

Stop in to the Blue Ridge Adventure center for more details or visit their helipad  located just south of Blue Ridge on hwy 515 at 1512 Appalachian Hwy. Blue Ridge GA 30513 Click here for a Google Maps Link

the 2012 Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race returns to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia April 14,2012!

 

Adventure for everyone! The 15th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race  now offers 2 races, sport and elite. The Sport Race will be 4-6 hours and a longer Elite Race which is 6-10 hours.  There will be festivities and a celebration during and after the race in Downtown Blue Ridge. Up to 100 teams of two or three (plus one support person) will run along the forested trails of the Chattahoochee National Forest, paddle on the Toccoa River and/or Lake Blue Ridge, mountain bike steep trails and complete mystery challenges along the way. Spectators can arrive early to enjoy music and an exciting finish as racers complete the race.

The Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race began in the spring of 1998 as Georgia’s first adventure race.  Fifteen years later the race continues to be a Southeast favorite.  Race organizers promise a challenging contest with lots of surprises and some of the most stunning scenery anywhere plus the new format with two race levels to choose from.

The Elite Race is similar to the traditional Blue Ridge race experienced teams love, with a six to ten hour finish. The new Sport Race will offer teams a shorter four to six hour course. The 15th annual race will once again finish in downtown Blue Ridge Park in front of The Art Center.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals is proud to support the race through volunteering man power to the organizers and by offering top notch lodging to the racers, their families and support crews. Note to racers, Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals has cabin rentals in the Aska Adventure Area. If you are a Team and are looking for a sponsor. Please email cj@southerncomfortcabinrentals.com.

More details on the Blue Ridge Adventure Race are available on their website www.adventureracega.com.

Cool off this Summer and find your next adventure on the Ocoee River!

The Ocoee River is a tributary of the Hiwassee River. It was an important river for both the Cherokee and Creek tribes. Most people visiting Blue Ridge today are most familiar with The Toccoa River because of its close proximity to town.  A lot of people don’t realize it, but the Ocoee and the Toccoa Rivers are actually a single 93-mile-long river that flows north through the southern Appalachian Mountains from the North Georgia mountains into South Eastern Tennessee. The Rivers name changes when it reaches the twin cities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, at the truss bridge. This is where 3 different state routes converge and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway drops passengers for some sight seeing. The river continues as the Ocoee flows through Tennessee. This is the section that is well known for its whitewater rafting. Most people may also remember that this section of river was 100% engineered and made made for the 1996 Summer Olympics. This created an exciting venue for the whitewater kayak slalom events less than 2 hours from Atlanta. The Ocoee River water flow is controlled by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) via three dams. The ten-mile stretch is used for whitewater rafting and other water sport activities such as kayaking. The TVA uses a scheduled volume controlled release table which allows for a great control of flow ultimately making this an ideal recreational area.

The three Ocoee dams are numbered sequentially, with #1 being the farthest downstream and #3 (1996 Olympic section) being the farthest upstream. This may sound funny but upstream  is actually south of where the Blue Ridge Dam is, which creates Lake Blue Ridge. So the water that you raft on the Ocoee River is the same water you can swim in at Lake Blue Ridge or fish for mountain trout on the Toccoa River! The Middle Section contains some 20 + named rapids ranging from class 1 – 4! This provides amazing recreational opportunities throughout its eight-month season (March – October). One of the largest rapids on the Middle Ocoee, “Hell’s Hole,” runs right beneath the bridge leading to the power station, with “Powerhouse,” a significant ledge with a strong hydraulic… This makes for  ONE BIG wave. For real thrill ask your guide to “ride the Bull”!  Ocoee whitewater rafting schedules vary based on the releases and are planned around the best and peak times to raft. The two sections used for whitewater rafting on the Ocoee are the one-mile Olympic whitewater course released from Ocoee #3 and the “middle” a 4.5-mile whitewater rafting area downstream from the Olympic  section released from Ocoee Dam #2.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals recommends Raft One on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. Raft one wants customers to have the best adventure-filled trip they can possibly have. With over 20 years of experience on the Ocoee river, Brent and Dusty Rogers, the owners of Raft One, have worked every aspect of whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. Adding to their diversity both brothers have taken every opportunity possible to work with or experience other whitewater rafting companies across the country.

To learn more contact Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals or Raft One in the Blue Ridge Adventure Center located in downtown Blue Ridge. 240 West Main Street across for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Raft One Outfitter provides the best Ocoee Whitewater Rafting experience and most exciting Ocoee Zipline Canopy Tours in the region!

 

There’s whiskey in them there hills! “That’s some good chili! Whats your recipe? Well… I’d be lying if I told you there wasn’t whiskey in it!” And its true, the boys for Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals cooked a killer batch of chili for this years Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off in Downtown Blue Ridge.

The story starts on a family vacation to Blue Ridge, when the newest addition to the SoCo family  cooked up an unusually excellent pot of chili, dubbed “sweet-heat”. You could also call it a family tradition from now on. The recipe had been in development for several years and was under constant refinement. The latest ingredient a.k.a “whiskey” was not added to the recipe until another visit to Blue Ridge. Our chef Matt Maddox planned a bachelor party for one of his long time friends and it happen to be on the same weekend as the first Blue Ridge Fire and Ice Cook Off. Jokingly, this is when our plan started to brew out of a simple suggestion. “You should enter your chili next year!” the seed was planted.

Team SoCo Started cooking after work late on Friday night prior to the event. Due to Chili shortages the prior year the Blue Ridge Business Association modified the amount of chili to 10 gallons. The rules stated that teams must cook 5 gallons prior to the cook off and the cook another 5 gallons at the event. A small amount of the five gallons cooked at the event would be used for the Judges and the rest could be given as samples for the people choice award. Our communications intern from Reinhardt College was at the event to cover the festivities first hand. Here is what he wrote about the 2012 Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off.

View a private collection of framed prints featuring the works of Bev Doolittle in Blue Ridge, Ga…

“Many people call me a ‘camouflage artist,’ but that doesn’t really fit. If I have to categorize at all, I prefer to think of myself as a ‘concept painter.’ I am an artist who uses camouflage to get my story across, to slow the viewing process so you can discover it for yourself. Everything I do is intended to enhance the idea of each piece. For me, camouflage is a means to an end, not an end in itself. My meaning and message are never hidden.” – Bev Doolittle

Join SoCo Cabins in celebrating 9 treasured works of art in the beautiful reception lobby of the Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals office & Blue Ridge Adventure Center. October 15, 2011 – 4pm to 7 pm 240 West Main Street, Blue Ridge Georgia 30513

These exquisite pieces are being offered for sale by the collector. Persons interested in the entire collection may view the prints prior to the event. Contact heather@sococabins.com to set private appointment

Learn More about Bev Doolittle at: www.bevdoolittle.net

Trout Fishing in and Around Fannin County in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia

Fannin County is blessed with a watershed that creates a large and diverse trout stream  network.  The foundation of the watershed is the Toccoa River, a medium-sized, wadable river which actually consists of two distinct and different fisheries:  The freestone stream above the dam and the Tailwater below it.  Each section of the Toccoa has its advantages.  In addition to the Toccoa itself, the watershed contains literally hundreds of trout streams from tiny higher elevation water containing native brook trout to lower elevation streams dominated by rainbow and brown trout.  Some waters in Fannin can be fished within sight of a parked vehicle while others offer the opportunity for wilderness walk-in fishing where few others tread. It’s all here in Fannin for visitors and locals to explore and enjoy.

Here are some of the most popular trout destinations in and close to Fannin County:

Toccoa River Tailwater: The Tailwater, as it is called locally, runs from Blue Ridge dam to the Tennessee State line and is fishable throughout year-round thanks to the fact that the water in the Tailwater comes chiefly from the colder water near the bottom of Lake Blue Ridge, it is supplemented by oxygenation on the lake bottom courtesy of the TVA, and the river is cleansed by higher flows due to periodic generation at the dam. The fish are healthy, diverse in size due to holdover fish, and located throughout the length of the river. The advantages are year-round fishing, heavily stocked by Georgia DNR, floatable and wadable sections with public access at the dam, Tammen Park, Curtis Switch Bridge, and Horseshoe Bend Park. The disadvantages are the need to know the generation schedule and to be constantly vigilant for scheduled and unscheduled releases and the fact that public access is limited to the locations noted above.  Even where the river is visible from the road between the public access points, fishing without landowner permission is prohibited.  Floating through private lands on canoes, kayaks, float tubes, or pontoon boats, however, is permitted and commonly done, but the floats between access points will take take 6-8 hours depending on the amount of time one fishes. TVA Blue Ridge Dam information:  To get daily releases: dial 800-238-2264 then 423. Releases for the next day are available after 4 pm.

Toccoa River above Lake Blue Ridge: The Toccoa River is a magnificent fishery in its beauty, diversity, and quality during certain times of the year.  It is a year-round fishery, but hot-summer months can substantially curtail trout fishing in July, August, and early September when water temperature exceed comfort levels for trout, especially in the lower elevations closer to Lake Blue Ridge.  Much of the Toccoa is private, but miles of the river run through the Chattahoochee National Forest, including a 1.2 mile section with special Delayed Harvest (DH) regulations (See Georgia Fishing Regs).  From November 1-May 14, the river is stocked with lots of trout, including some 15-20 inch fish. Much of the Toccoa River on public lands is accessible by paved and forest service road.  One can literally fish in sight of the car, including some sections of the DH. Sections of the river susceptible to summer heat will also hold largemouth Bass, shoal bass, smallmouth bass and other warm water species instead of or in addition to trout. Occasionally private landowners will give permission to fish, but some sections of the Toccoa River are closed to public fishing when by landowners on both sides of the river.  Signs are prominent in those sections of the river. When in doubt, stick to public lands.

Coopers Creek: This tributary of the Toccoa River is in the Chattahoochee National Forest off Hwy 60 near Suches, Georgia, and offers camping, hiking, and fishing.  There is a public campground and parking area.  In addition, the creek may be accessed by Forest Service road in its upper sections.  Coopers Creek stocked and operates under general trout regulations.  This is an excellent and beautiful place for public fishing.  Advantages:  Good for families. Disadvantages:  Smaller water and heavily used.

Rock Creek: This public access fishery is open year-round and boasts frequent stocking and the side benefit of the USFWS Hatchery off Hwy 60 near Suches.  The Hatchery conducts public education and tours and feeds the trout daily.  Rock Creek flows through the Hatchery and is accessible by forest service road for several miles below the Hatchery.  It is heavily used, but a fun place to fish.  Advantages:  Great for families.  Disadvantages: Smaller water and heavily used.  Hint:  For the technical fly fisher or spin fisher, Little Rock Creek is a tributary of Rock Creek, the upper portions of which may be accessed by a forest service road off the Hatchery Road offers backwoods small stream fishing for tiny trout.  This is less used.  The stream is small and somewhat enclosed by vegetation; and the fish are small, but born in the stream, as this stream is not stocked.

Wilderness Fishing

Noontootla Creek: This is a gem of a stream operated year-round under special regulations on size of fish and type of gear and wilderness license (See Georgia Fishing Regs).  It is a favorite of fly fishermen.  Surprisingly, the public sections of Noontootla are easily accessible by a forest service road that runs the length of the public section.  It is beautiful and holds surprisingly decent sized fish for its size.  It is not stocked, so these are resident fish.  The fishing is quite technical.  Advantages:  Beautiful small stream fishing easily accessible and an ace in the hole when lower waters are swollen with rain. Disadvantages:  Technical fishing, some pressure especially on weekends, and decreased chances of success if someone fishes before you do.  Hint:  Rainy days that take away some clarity of the water will make the fishing easier.  Note:  There is a private, trophy section of Noontootla Creek accessible only by appointment with a guide on a fee basis.  This is a protected, limited access trophy water within 30 minutes of  downtown Blue Ridge.

Jacks and Connasauga Rivers: These are two premier trout streams in the Cohutta Wilderness. Both rivers hold resident fish in a magnificent setting on public lands. .  Jacks is a Mar-October fishery and the Connie is open year-round (See Georgia Fishing Regs).  The trail distances distance in and out are formidable, but worth it to the wilderness fisher.  A wilderness trout license is required.

Small Stream Fishing

Fannin County boasts hundreds of miles of trout streams, as do nearby counties .  Some trout streams are on private land and others are not practically fishable.  However many small streams offer wonderful opportunities for seasonal and year-round fishing.  Some are fairly accessible and others are more remote. Naming small streams in a forum like this ruins their appeal and ambience by having crowds descend upon them.  There are, however, sources of information from which a determined fisherman can locate wonderful places.  Unicoi Fly Shop and local book stores in Blue Ridge have books for sale on North Georgia fishing with information on all the aforementioned streams and many of our smaller streams as well. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources publishes a comprehensive trout fishing guide to Georgia, available for free at the Fannin Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center.

Big Creek: This pristine mountain stream is almost 100%  private. The only way to fish this stream is by invitation by a land owner or private guide service such as Upper River Adventures. A year round dense canopy offer many shady and cool areas. Couple this with deep well maintained holes and you will find the perfect habitat for several species of mountain trout.

Some guides and outfitters have access to terrific private access water with limited traffic  such as Noontootla Creek Farms,  Mountaintown Creek, Big Creek, and Frog Hollow.  Check with local fly shops, the Blue Ridge Adventure Center  for availability and fees.

Surrounding Areas

Fannin County is in the epicenter of trout fishing in North Georgia. In addition to the rivers and streams right around Blue Ridge, within an hour more or less west (Tennessee), North (North Carolina) and East (Clayton County, Ga.) one may find excellent trout fishing in the Cherokee National Forest, Nantahala River, and Chattooga River.  In addition, within the similar distances are special regulation areas at Dukes Creek (Smithgall Woods), Amicalola Creek, Waters Creek and other terrific public fisheries, not to mention private water trophy experiences.

Fishing is Fishing

Dare we mention Lake Blue Ridge and Lake Nottely? These lakes provide awesome destination fishing in their own right for numerous species other than trout. How about fishing for bass and bream on ponds and surrounding lakes or fishing for shoal bass or smallmouth in the Toccoa River?

WHERE TO GO FOR INFORMATION

Download  printable safety information on the Toccoa River Tailwater here

TVA Blue Ridge Dam information:  To get daily releases: dial 800-238-2264 then 423. Releases for the next day are available after 4 pm.

Fannin Chamber of Commerce: Orvin Lance Extension off Hwy 515 (behind CVS);

Unicoi Outfitters and guide service: 490 E. Main Street, Blue ridge, GA 30513. www.Unicoioutfitters.com

Fishing Guides: There are numerous north Georgia trout fishing guides in the Blue Ridge area. Contact Upper River Adventures for Private Guided Trout Fishing in the Aska Adventure Area

Current Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations, available at the Chamber of Commerce, Unicoi Outfitters, or anywhere licenses are sold and online See our local area guide to buy a fishing license in Georgia

Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited, is local, extremely active TU chapter meets monthly on the second Saturday of each month, 9 am at the Chamber of Commerce. TU and its members are dedicated to preserving trout waters but provide a public service of information on fishing and fishing safety in the area.

SOURCE: Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited