Chestatee River Fly Fishing
The Chestatee River has an epic spring striped bass migration and is one of our favorite spots to target. We fish the section above Lake Lanier, typically floating 8 miles during the spring spawning run, where we catch a mix of striped bass, white bass, shoal bass, spotted bass, and largemouth bass. This is a very technical fishery, suited for advanced anglers.
We target these fish using 8wt rods with sink-tip lines and straight leader made of 20-30lb fluorocarbon. We’ve caught fish up to 40 pounds, so be prepared for a battle! We fish a mix of creek mouths, undercut banks, and deeper holes. This is all subsurface streamer fishing with shad-imitating patterns.
Target Species
From April to June, we target these giant striped bass during their spring migration, triggered by the warming water. While fishing for striped bass, we also catch many other species of bass that populate the river, including white bass, spotted bass, shoal bass, and largemouth bass.
Where We Fish
We will cover 8 miles of the beautiful Chestatee River per trip. We fish the section above Lake Lanier, typically floating 8 miles during the spring spawning run, where we catch a mix of striped bass, white bass, shoal bass, spotted bass, and largemouth bass. This is a very technical fishery, suited for advanced anglers.
What's Included
Enjoy a comfortable trip in a clean, well-maintained drift boat. A delicious lunch, soft drinks, bottled water, and snacks are included with each full-day trip. Snacks, soft drinks, and bottled water are also provided for half-day trips.
A typical full-day trip starts at 7:00 or 8:00 AM. We will cover anywhere from 2 to 9 miles of river per trip. Traveling in a motorized drift boat, we can move efficiently upstream and downstream to put you on the most productive sections of the river.
Trips include:
- Rods
- Reels
- Flies
- Leaders
- Tippet
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Lunch
What To Bring
Be sure to bring the appropriate fishing license and trout stamp, along with clothing and gear suitable for the weather. It’s recommended to bring polarized glasses, a brimmed hat, and a buff (especially from June to August between 11 AM and 3 PM). Don’t forget sunscreen, a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, quick-dry pants, and shoes or sandals with a heel strap. On rainy days, make sure to have a good rain jacket, rain pants, and waterproof boots.
- Fishing license
- Polarized sunglasses
- Brimmed hat
- Buff
- Sunscreen
- Lightweight long sleeve shirt
- Quick dry pants
- Shoes/ sandals with a heel strap
- Rain gear
- No glassware
- Please do not bring any large coolers, small ones that hold a few drinks will work
Chestatee River Fly Fishing FAQs
Have a question? We've got answers. If you do not see your question answered below, please do not hesitate to contact us.
$600
Trip Rate
Other Trips
Chattahoochee River Trout Fly Fishing
Chattahoochee River Striped Bass Fly Fishing
Etowah River Striped Bass Fly Fishing
Toccoa River Fly Fishing
Soque River Fly Fishing
