How to go fish the Chattooga River

The months we list for the Chattooga River are April, May, June, September, October, November. August is outside that window, so this brief is written for September, the next month we list.

September

No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.

Flies to tie — September

Caddis#16-18
CDC Caddis

Access

Bull Pen Road Trailhead (NC)
35.041, -83.316parking
Burrell Ford Crossing (SC)
34.987, -83.283parking
Earl Ford Campsite
34.951, -83.264
Highway 76 Bridge (Lower Access)
34.892, -83.213parking

Regs — check current rules before you go

The Chattooga is managed as a Wild and Scenic River. No motorized vehicles or watercraft above Highway 28. NC and SC fishing licenses are required for their respective sections. The upper Chattooga (Section 0 in NC) is a delayed harvest area with special artificial-lures-only rules in parts. Check current NCWRC and SCDNR regulations for size limits and season dates. Leave No Trace practices are strongly encouraged in this roadless wilderness.

Pack list

A current state fishing licence
Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
Net, nippers, forceps
Floatant and desiccant
Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
Water, sun cover, polarised glasses

Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.

Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Chattooga River page →