Callaway Gardens Fishing

Fishing is excellent at Callaway in June for bass and bream (sunfish). Effective flies include various panfish and bass poppers, sliders, and divers in sizes #10-1/0, natural colored (and, of course, chartreuse and white) streamers in the same sizes, and various nymphs (especially dragon and damsel flies) in #8-14.

Free fishing is available for attendees of the conclave during (and only during) the following times and at the following locations...Robin Lake, Martin Lake and Chickadee Lake from 5:00 AM-10:00 AM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Anglers must be off the lakes by 10:00 AM as other Callaway guests will be utilizing them for other activities. See the map for locations.

Callaway Gardens is offering several opportunities for Conclave attendees to fish Callaway's private water at reduced rates.

The Mountain Creek Lake boathouse has 14' aluminum jon boats with electric trolling motors for rent at $7 for a half-day or $14 for a full day. This is less than 1/4 the normal rate for boat rentals.

There are also semi-guided trips available on a limited basis on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 PM, Friday from 6:00-10:00 AM and 4:00-8:00 PM, Saturday from 6:00-10:00 AM and Sunday from 6:00-10:00 AM. These are group trips with a guide from Callaway Gardens on our private lakes; cost is $40 per angler. The group is limited to 5 anglers and there are 3 groups per session. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Sign up before the conclave through the fly shop; once the conclave begins register at the Callaway Gardens booth in the exhibit hall.

A fishing license is not needed to fish on the Callaway property, but is necessary for all anglers 16 and older when fishing elsewhere. License information here.

Shoal Bass

on the Flint River

The shoal bass is one of the six black bass species that qualifies on the FFF's Basscatch Award. The Flint is the last remaining native home where the shoal bass still flourishes. And from Callaway you are only about 30 miles away.

Kent Edmonds' website has additional info on the shoal bass and the Flint.  Kent guides the Flint but will be involved in the conclave from Wednesday through Sunday. So come early or stay late and fish the Flint with Kent.

Or fish it own your own. The shoalie is a bass that thinks it's a trout. As the photo at right indicates, virtually anybody can do it. ;)

Trout on the Chattahoochee

Though Georgia has over 200 miles of trout water in its mountainous north, what is perhaps its most  productive trout stream runs not through the Blue Ridge foothills, but rather threads its way between Atlanta's skyscrapers and interstates. The Chattahoochee River tailwater below Lake Lanier is "cold, cold, cold!" all summer long and the trout love it. There is even considerable natural reproduction of brown trout happening amidst the in the shadow of the South's largest city. Chris Scalley, owner of River Through Atlanta, can give you all the details.

More Fishing

West Point Lake is located 25 miles west near LaGrange. A large Corp of Engineers impoundment, West Point offers excellent bass and striper fishing. Highland Marina, located on the lake, offers boat rentals and current fishing reports.

Lake Lanier is just north of Atlanta and is also a terrific fishery. Contact Henry Cowen for guided trips.

And Even More Fishing

The north Georgia trout streams are about 3 hours away. Alabama is less than an hour's drive, and has some of the country's great rivers. Odds are pretty good that you'll be passing near some excellent fishing on your way to or from the conclave - why not allow an extra day or two for fishing. Check the list of guides and fly shops at left and on our exhibitors page - support the people who support us.