Buford Dam
Why we like this location:
Whether it is a hot Atlanta summer day or the middle of December, Buford Dam is a consistent great fishery. Both dry fly and nymph fishing techniques are productive.
Access:
Dam: take the road all the way to the end and park near the wooden fences that line the road where you will get a bit of shade for your car. Enter the river at the boat ramp with your float tube. When the river is low, a float tube is not required but highly recommended.
Bowman Island: After parking at the first parking lot on the right at the bottom of the hill, take the the trail and cross the bridge and walk down about a 1/4 of a mile.
Flies:
View the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club’s top ten flies for the Hooch page. >
Setup:
- Dry Fly
- Dropper
- Euro Nymph
Safety:
Life vests are required. For release times, call 770-945-1466 or listen to 1610AM and while on the water, pay attention to water levels by keeping in mind the water level with respect to a reference rock or structure. During a release, the Chattahoochee can rise as much as several feet in minutes. The water is near 48 degrees, low enough to bring on hypothermia and hamper efforts to swim to shore in rising waters. Most club members bring a float tube for extra safety
View the release schedule before going to the dam and if this is your first time visiting, please take a look at understanding the flow rates.
Location:
Little Mill Rd, Cumming GA 30041
Most fisher persons access the river from the West side of the dam and head downhill. Expect to pay for parking. There are two parking areas. The first one on the right is used by fly fishers that want to hike down to the lower shoals and Bowman Island. Most continue on and park in the main lot where there is a restroom.
Join the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club!