Dukes Creek Georgia

Dukes Creek, which forms part of the Chattahoochee River's tributary system, is the surprisingly diminutive home to some of Georgia's finest trout, thanks to the state's management of the stream. The management program for Dukes Creek includes supplemental feedings, restricted access and catch and release regulations. Dukes Creek is a tiny gem that offers an angler a great chance to catch a trophy trout. The lower part of the creek (downstream of the Chattahoochee WildlifeManagement Area in the Smithgall/Woods -Dukes Creek Conservation Area) offers wild, not stocked, trout that receive the supplemental feedings.

The large brown and rainbow trout in the four and a half miles of stream in the consevation area of Dukes Creek are by no means an easy target. Successfully fly fishing for these trout requires the angler to pay attention to detail. For example, you will need to study each pool as you fish the stream, to determine the best approach. The deep pools, often with undercut banks and exposed tree roots, offers quite a challenge to fishing it. You may not even achieve much success in the stream your first visit or two, until you've mastered the stream.

To fish the lower portion of dukes Creek, you will have to make reservations ahead of time; even then, you will only be able to reserve a section of the stream on a Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday, though it's open year round. 15 anglers are allowed in the morning, and 15 are allowed in the afternoon. In addition to your Georgia state fishing license, you will also have to pay a small fee for the state park. This portion of the stream has a mild gradient with some long pools, numerous long riffles, a few runs, and some flats.

Alternatively, the portion of Dukes Creek in the Dukes Creek Scenic Falls Area offers a rugged terrain. This rough and tumble portion of the stream features a number of cascades and waterfalls, and usually sees little angling pressure, due to its remoteness. While the Dukes Creek Falls Trail allows access to the stream here, the gorge that the creek flows restricts this access. The wild rainbow trout in this area average seven inches or smaller, but they can reach up to twelve inches in length.

Trout Flies:

Perfect Flies are recommend because they are the best trout flies you can purchase. We have specific imitations of every food that exist in Dukes Creek. If you haven't already tried Perfect Flies, we certainly hope you will give them a try. Please note that wild trout are more selective when feeding and you will find the Perfect Flies to be very effective on the wild trout in this stream. Why Perfect Flies?

More Equipment and Techniques for Dukes Creek

Seasons:

Due to the relatively mild climate of North Georgia you can fish the stream anytime of the year.

Spring:

Spring is the best time of year to fish the river because of the prolific hatches.Dry flies as well as nymphs will be effective.

Summer:

The stream fishes fine most of the Summer and terrestrials are a good bet.

Fall:

Autumn is a great time to fish. The fall foliage along the stream is beautiful. Brown trout spawn in the fall.

Winter:
Warm winter days brings some good fishing at times.

Access:

Access to Dukes Creek is by foot path or using the state-run shuttle van, in the lower reaches. Additionally, all access is by foot or (in the lower reaches) by the site's fly-rod-friendly van. Dukes Creek is divided into four sections.

Section 1, the uppermost stretch, extends upstream from the Alternate 75 bridge. Offering easy access and enticing big-fish pools, it gets a good bit of pressure. This section regularly yields exceptional fish. There's a widespread belief that it's the most productive section of the creek

Section 2, which starts not far from the parking area, begins with a short run of water near the visitor's center. That's followed by a stretch of clearly-marked closed water, with public water returning on the far side of a moderate hill. Section 2 anglers will find that the creek flattens somewhat and opens up in some areas.

This pattern continues into Section 3, which is good water if you're after big browns. If the creek's clear, try carefully presented mayfly imitations, various caddis patterns, or small nymphs. Following a spring or summer rain, try streamers like the brown sculpin which will often work well in the fall.

The lowermost portion, Section 4, is the most inaccessible and (by far) the most lightly fished section of the creek. Visiting anglers seldom get this far, but you'll notice that locals often head quietly in that direction right from the start. Part of the reason may be the gargantuan browns said to lurk in some of those deep Section 4 pools.

Regardless of which section you fish, be sure to add one other fly to your arsenal. Called (among other things) the "Dukes Creek Special," it imitates the "food pellet hatch" and has accounted for many a fine Dukes Creek trout. This "fly" is nothing more than a small piece of brown foam rubber tied to a size-14 or -16 hook.

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Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.:

Fly Fishing Eastern Freestone Streams

Fly Fishing for Small Stream Brown Trout

Fly Fishing for Small Stream Rainbow Trout

License and Other Information::

License

National Weather Service

About Helen Georgia

Smithgall Woods State Park

Hatches:

Please check out the Perfect Fly line of flies.