It’s getting close to the best time of year on Lake Oconee for the fly fisherman; that is from late June through late October! The pump back bite, when Georgia Power pumps water up from Lake Sinclair (usually from 6:00 am to 9:00 AM) creates a lot of surface activity because the shad are pushed upwards to the surface. I start these trips with surface flies, then switch to clousers (a sinking fly) , then put down the fly rod and pick up a spinning reel with go after the monsters with a jigging spoon. Can’t wait!
Hybrids – Oh my! Fly fishing lighted docks at night is on fire. I use the Henry Cowen’s something else fly for this on the 8 weight Scott Rod with a 10 lb tapered leader. Last Tuesday evening 10 huge white bass off one dock in a little over an hour. Last night 2 hybrids both pushing 5 lbs. and a believe it or not a 5lb catfish on a fly. Call me if you want to give this a try, you will not be disappointed.
For conventional tackle, as we roll into June, the spoon bite will be turning on and for those who can stand to lose them, the umbrella rig bite is killer. I love the spoon bite, almost straight down, no casting and BIG fish!
Crappie – Long lining near lick creek is awesome in June, just remember you must go deep and over timber. Jiffy jigs with litewire hooks help, but be sure to use your electronics to calculate how far under the surface the timber is and how deep your jig is running. It’s common to use a double jig set up with a 1/16 on top and a 1/32 on the bottom. Fishing over brush piles with live minnows is a great summer pattern, but you must find the brush piles in deeper water.
Largemouth Bass –Henry Cowen’s something else fly is excellent in clearer water this time of year. I fish it on an 8 weight, 9-foot Scott fly rod. I use an intermediate line with an Orvis Mirage, Big Game fluorocarbon, knotless tapered leader in either 10lb. or 12 lb. This rig sinks quickly and casts well. I have caught more fish on Oconee (of every species on) Henry Cowen’s something else fly than any other fly. Unless they are feeding on the surface this is my “go to” fly!
Final words – Why fly fish? Well, ask the bow hunter the same question. He or she will likely say the challenge, and rush felt in the success of harvesting a deer at close range. I offer combo trips so learning is easy and you get the best of both worlds. For me personally, I’d rather catch one on a fly than ten on a spinning rod. Once you learn, casting is a blast! I subscribe to the Lefty Kreh method (Lefty is an internationally known casting instructor that many consider the father of fly casting!) This method focuses on 4 principals that allow you to cast farther with less effort. Most importantly, fighting and landing a fish on a fly rod is an adrenaline rush like no other in fishing.
The “pump back bite” will start in June. We are booking up quickly so call 706-816- 4281 or e-mail me at wmoore1700 @outlook.com and request your dates. Remember, we offer fly fishing and conventional tackle trips for the best of both worlds.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Wayne Moore USCG