Noontootla is a word derived from the language of the Cherokee Nation in northeastern Georgia. The translation, “land of shining waters,” perfectly describes Noontootla Creek, an 11-mile tributary of the Toccoa River that originates in the mountains near the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain.
The small mountain stream is managed as a “natural” stream and holds the healthiest population of “bright” rainbow and brown trout I have encountered in the east. Last week I had an opportunity to fish the creek where it passes through Noontootla Creek Farms, a thousand-plus acre property that was converted from a large farm operation and private hunting club. The property is now open to the public and features excellent trout fishing, quail hunting and an impressive sporting clays course.
The property has been on my list of places to fish for a few years, but it was this trip to Georgia when it all came to fruition. I booked with Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia just outside of Sautee Nacoochee where our cabin is located. I’ve fished with owner Jimmy Harris and his excellent staff of guides over the years and depend on them to set me up with a knowledgeable guide. I’ve always been pleased, and this trip was no exception. I fished with my friend Bob Seegar from Blue Ridge, Georgia. Bob and his wife, Judy, relocated to North Georgia after many years in Longbeach Village and we have made it a ritual to go fishing when we reconnect in Georgia and Florida. Our guide for the day was Chuck Head, a third-generation area native who guides fly fishers in Colorado during the summer.
Video by Rusty Chinnis
We met Head at 7:30 a.m. and were on the stream fishing at 8:00 a.m. Seegar fished a double nymph under a strike indicator while I elected to try a dry dropper, a dry fly that doubles as a strike indicator for the nymph. It didn’t take long for me to convert as Seegar had landed three fat rainbow trout before I had a hit. That’s why Head originally suggested the double rig under an indicator. The stream’s fast-flowing water required split shot to get the flies down to the bottom where the trout feed on the aquatic stages of various insects. A dry fly wasn’t buoyant enough to support the added weight. After re-rigging, I was into fish immediately. What made these fish special was their beautiful colors and strong fight. They very closely resembled the bright native trout found out west. I almost always fight trout by hand, but after a couple of break-offs, I started clearing the line and fighting them on the reel. This experience was a perfect opportunity to test my new Hardy 5-weight fly rod and reel. The smooth drag and fast rod made the fight a blast.
Seegar is fairly new to fly casting, especially since our times on the water are widely spaced, but has always proved a quick study. This was no exception and in the eight hours we fished, we both had what was arguably our best fishing trip ever. Over the course of the day, we landed close to a dozen rainbow trout, each in the 20- to 24-inch range. This was one of those days that fishermen know to savor as the combination of camaraderie, weather and fishing made for a memorable experience, one I look forward to repeating. If you’re ever in this part of the world, I highly recommend contacting Unicoi Outfitters to experience this and their other excellent trout fishing waters. Check them out on their website. The land of shining waters will not disappoint you.
