Medlock Bridge CRNRA
Medlock Bridge Rd, Duluth · (678) 538-1200 · via GA-400 N → Medlock Bridge Rd
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
The absolute best launch point for the motor-upstream, drift-and-fly-fish kayak strategy. The 4-mile stretch upstream to Abbotts Bridge is deep, wide, flat water with virtually no shallow granite shelves or exposed shoals — perfect for the NK180 prop. River mile 17, USGS gauge 02335000 is right here giving real-time conditions. Artificials only, premium trout water, less crowded than downstream sections.
🛶 Kayak Strategy: Motor Up, Drift Back
Setup: Native Slayer Max 10 + Newport NK180 outboard
Launch: Medlock Bridge paved boat ramp
Motor upstream: Head north toward Abbotts Bridge at 40–50% throttle. The river widens here — current is slower and more consistent than narrow turbulent chutes near Settles. Motor 1.5–2 miles upstream (30–40 min at baseline flow).
Drift & fish: Pull up motor, drift back to the car. ~1 hour of fishing time over 1.5–2 miles. Standing platform on the Slayer Max 10 for spotting risers.
Why this stretch: Deep flat water — no major shallow granite shelves. Wide river basin gives room for backcasts without overhanging branches. Artificials only = less bait pressure, better quality fish. Holds massive quantities of stocked rainbows alongside large wild brown trout.
⚠️ Always check generation schedule before launching. Motor upstream FIRST while water is stable — if a pulse comes, you drift WITH it back to your car, not against it. Target baseline 700–800 CFS. Call (770) 945-1466 or check USGS gauge.
🦟 Late Spring/Summer Hatch Playbook
Active hatches: Cinnamon/Green Caddis · Sulphurs · BWOs · Black/Olive Midges
🌅 MORNING WINDOW: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
BWOs + Midges dominate. Overcast/rain extends and intensifies this hatch.
① Nymph Phase (6:30–8:00 AM)
Trout hug the bottom of deeper runs and current seams, gorging on active nymphs. Rig a two-nymph indicator setup: Pheasant Tail #16–18 or Zebra Midge #18. Target transitional drop-offs where shallow gravel bars drop into deeper pools.
② Emerger Phase (8:00–9:00 AM)
Bugs swim to the top — trout start "flashing" or doing sub-surface head-and-tail rolls. Remove heavy split shot. Grease your leader up to the last 12 inches so it floats. Run a WD-40 #20 or RS2 #18 just inches below the surface film.
③ Riser Phase (9:00–10:30 AM)
True surface snouts — trout lazily sip tiny BWOs and mating midge clusters off glass-calm flats. Spot risers from the Slayer Max 10 standing platform. Cast a Parachute BWO #20–22 or Griffith's Gnat #20 with long, light 6X fluoro leader.
☀️ AFTERNOON LULL: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Surface hatch virtually dead. Hot sun drives trout deep into shadows and under overhanging trees.
Do NOT look for rising fish. Use the NK180 to hold position over deep slots. Dredge the bottom with heavy Caddis Pupa #14 or bounce a Sculpin Streamer / Baby Gonga along the bottom to target trophy brown trout. Fish the shade.
🌆 EVENING WINDOW: 5:30 PM – DUSK ⭐ BEST DRY FLY TIME
Massive simultaneous hatch: Cinnamon/Green Caddisflies + Sulphur Mayflies. This is the absolute best dry fly fishing on the Hooch.
① Nymph Phase (5:30–7:00 PM)
Trout sense the upcoming hatch and move from deep pools into faster riffles and shallow tailouts. Fish a Hydropsyche Caddis Pupa #14–16 (green) under an indicator, or swing it actively through the current.
② Emerger Phase (7:00–8:00 PM)
Highly aggressive, explosive splashes — caddis pop out of the water and fly away instantly. Trout will literally leap to catch them. Fish a Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #16 or Caddis Pupa Emerger. Cast across and let the fly SWING up and across the current on a tight line — the swing mimics a hatching insect and triggers violent strikes.
③ Riser Phase (8:00 PM – Nightfall) 🔥
Absolute chaos. Air thick with skating caddisflies laying eggs and pale yellow sulphurs. Every trout in the river will be rising. THIS is the peak of your drift back to the car. Tie on a high-vis Elk Hair Caddis #16 or Sulphur Parachute #18. Cast to the banks, dead drift — if fish ignore it, give the rod tip a tiny twitch to "skate" the caddis on the flat water. Irresistible.
⏰ When to Fish
Dawn 6:30am
Nymph deep — PT #16 + Zebra Midge #18 on indicator. Target drop-offs where gravel meets deep pools.
Morning 8–10:30am
BWO emerger → riser transition. Switch from nymphs to WD-40/RS2 in the film, then Parachute BWO when snouts appear.
Midday 10:30–5pm
Deep dredge only. Heavy caddis pupa or sculpin along the bottom in shade. Use NK180 to hold over deep slots.
Evening 5:30–dark ⭐
PRIME TIME. Caddis + Sulphur hatch explosion. Swing soft hackles 7–8pm, then Elk Hair Caddis / Sulphur dry during the chaos at dusk.
🎣 Go-To Flies Here
Zebra Midge #20-22
RS2 Sparkle Wing #20
WD-40 #20
Parachute BWO #20-22
Griffith's Gnat #20
Pheasant Tail #16-18
Elk Hair Caddis #16
Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #16
⚠️ NEED: Sulphur Parachute #18
⚠️ NEED: Green Caddis Pupa #14-16
Rules: Artificial lures only GA Hwy 20 to Medlock Bridge boat ramp · $5 day pass · 6X fluoro tippet essential for risers · Check generation: (770) 945-1466 · USGS gauge 02335000 at this location
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