My son is interested in going after trout but I know nothing about that. Would anyone be willing to provide some guidance? He likes to fly fish but I will use spinning gear. I haven’t taken the time to learn how to use a fly rod yet. Thanks!

Watching this thread too

Chad, I have fished there a couple of times but it has been several years. They used to stock the area every couple of weeks/months with rainbows. Fish are small, but bigger then any wild brook trout you'll catch in Georgia. I have seen pictures of some 3-4lb fish that came out of there. I suppose maybe some actually reproduce from time to time.

See if riverside fly shop is still there. It is down the road from the dam. They used to have a daily schedule of the generation times. The first thing I would do is look them up. They also used to do guided trips. They have lots of flies and everything you'll need.

It's not an ideal trout stream but it is better than nothing. Water doesn't flow fast. It's still worth trying, IMO. I would probably fish there regularly if I lived up that way.

You can definitely catch fish using a spinning set up.

Pm

Not trying to hijack the thread here but does anyone know about how far up, estimated river miles, can one go up the Sipsey in a 16’ aluminum boat, if they put in on the lake?

We put in somewhere on 278 and went untill the river got too little. It was several miles, I think. Hard to tell riding in a boat. We were in a 17ft alumaweld

The fly shop is still open. We camped behind it and caught a pile of trout. We released everything we caught. They are very knowledgeable and will get you on some fish at the fly shop.

Theres a few good ones in there.

3" floating minnow (I like yozuri pins minnows) with a small split-shot 18" in front, 6# line.

Glad to see Sergio Garcia is visiting Alabama to fish while on break from the PGA Tour.

LOL

What did that one weigh?

Haven’t fished Sipsey but they stock trout in the Saluda River here in Columbia. I’ve caught a few good sized ones like pictured above with a Blue Fox spinners that had a “shad” coloration (can’t remember the exact name of the color of the lure). All were caught on spinning tackle. I’ve had luck with salmon eggs on a smallish bream hook with a split shot about 2’ up the line in NC/SC/GA mountains. I’d think one of those two setups should produce fish on spinning gear almost anywhere a trout calls home.

Not sure. It was about 14-15" I reckon.

Not arguing with you but I think it was probably bigger than that or the pic is an optical illusion. The one im holding is longer than that. Yours looks bigger to me, maybe a pound bigger. I weighed several that size we caught. They were all between 2lb-2 1/2lb

No problem. I don't know. It was an eyeball measurement. I was trying probably my first attempt at a selfie! I let him go and about 3-4 others close to him. I've only been there once and that was the result maybe 4 years ago. I'm getting the itch to get back soon.

Bowtechdan that was an exceptional fish for the sipsey. Ive fished there over 25yrs. Last year was the first time I ever caught any big ones. Those are about the best eating fish ive ever cleaned. Two of them will feed my family. They stock big fish occasionally, and small fish every month. Ive never tried the floating minnows but I will. What color were you using? Thanks for sharing.

jwalker77



If I ever get the time and gumption to go, I'll let you know. I would like to get a camp site at the local park some weekend and do some fishing below the dam.

My Dad used those pins minnows way back in the hollers of WV, and he swears by them. I go one time at Sipsey and they nailed them.

Use to fish it a good bit 5-6 years ago. Caught one about the same as bowtech once. All the others were stocker size. Caught most of ours on the trout dough bait the one you scoop out yourself. Rainbow color was always good. Saw some folks that use to catch a bunch on small red wiggles but I never tried them. The fly fishing was pretty tough but I will admit I’m not a good fly rod fisherman. And as someone else said best tasting fish I ever had. Wish I lived closer I would still be going

There are definitely a few good ones down there. I usually go once or twice a year. These are from my last trip. (last year) I'll probably go back this weekend or next.

There's still some of those big breeder fish still in there. Last fall we caught some good ones for sure. But I like frying them 12-14" ones best.