The Hooch

Your guide to the Chattahoochee River

At the center of our chapter's mission is the wonderful Chattahoochee River. Both revered and endangered, it is among the southernmost major trout fisheries in the United States and the only one that flows through a major metropolitan area. To get to know the Chattahoochee better, articles on Wikipedia and the New Georgia Encyclopedia will tell you its geography and history.

For information on fishing and other recreation, the National Park Service is your best source. Remember that parking fees are charged at most of the park sites along the river.

Like any tailwater, it's always wise the check dam releases. Current Buford Dam water release information is available at 770.945.1466. For those who like to use a canoe, kayak or float tube, here are some float times for popular trips. The river roughly flows at four miles per hour, to calculate time down the river.

Buford Dam

Current Conditions

  • Temperature: 49.64 ° F
  • Streamflow: 636 ft³/s
  • Gage height: -0.50 ft
Temperature GraphStreamflow GraphGage height Graph
USGS

Jones Bridge

Current Conditions

  • Temperature: 51.8 ° F
  • Streamflow: 1640 ft³/s
  • Gage height: 3.14 ft
Temperature GraphStreamflow GraphGage height Graph
USGS

Chattahoochee Tailwater Hatch Chart

Click to view the chart for trout food on the hooch >>

Hooch Facts

Lake Lanier
mil
Million visitors annually
Chattahooccee River Supplies
%
Drinking Water for Greater Atlanta
Designated Trout Water
mi
Cold Water Habitat
brookie-dkgr

Read Our Stories About Fishing

Spring – the South Holston River trip 2022

February 11, 2022

South Holston River Trip Dates: April 21st – 24th Cost: $150 per person* Accommodations: HolstonCastaways.com castaway farmhouse private fishing access on the South Holston River – Farmhouse – 2 bedrooms (master with 2 queens, 2nd […]

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Fall Fishing Trip to Cherokee Oct 14-17

August 20, 2021

Fall trip – Cherokee – October 14th thru October 17th – Rivers Edge Outfitters – Great Smokies Inn   Complete details on the events page: Fall trip – Cherokee 2021

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Spring – the South Holston River Trip 4-29 – 5-2

February 19, 2021

Spring – the South Holston River Trip 2021 Thursday, April 29th; Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so once the 20 places are reserved – a […]

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Dream Trip 2021 – Fly Fishing for Two

February 15, 2021

The Grand Prize is five days hosted fishing and six nights lodging in Idaho $10 – BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE  “The opportunity to fish with John McGarity, stay in his fabulous log cabin conveniently located […]

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Live The Stream – The Story of Joe Humphreys

March 16, 2020

Live The Stream is the inspiring life story of Pennsylvania’s fly fishing legend, Joe Humphreys: a man who was born to fly fish, lives to teach, and strives to pass on a respect for our […]

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Rescheduled Rizzio Youth Fly-Fishing Clinic

March 4, 2020

Rescheduling for Oct, 18th 2020. The comprehensive fly-fishing clinic is designed to teach young men and women, ages 10 to 15, Fly-casting, Knot tying, Insect identification, Trout habitat, Water conservation. Signup and Details Here >>

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Dream Trip 2020 – Fly Fishing for Two

January 12, 2020

The Grand Prize is five days hosted fishing and six nights lodging in Idaho July 26-31, 2020 (plus other goodies too). The drawing for the 2020 Dream Trip will occur after the “shelter in place” […]

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2nd Annual Fly Fishing Clinic for Women was a Great Success

October 20, 2019

UCCTU and Alpharetta Outfitters hosted a FREE 1/2-Day Fly Fishing Clinic for women. REVIEW OF LAST YEAR’S EVENT Oct, 20th 2019 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Chattahoochee Nature Center 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA 30075 […]

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Trout in the Classroom Panel

September 12, 2019

We will not have a guest speaker, instead, we will hear from a Trout in the Classroom Panel consisting of volunteers and select 2019 participating program teachers. Times: 6-7 Social 7-9 Meeting Location: Ippolito’s 2270 […]

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2019 GA TU DREAM TRIP RAFFLE

January 25, 2019

5 days hosted fishing / 6 nights lodging in Idaho July 21 – 26, 2019 Accommodations located between the Madison River, Yellowstone National Park and the Henry’s Fork.   All proceeds go towards fulfilling GA […]

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