Promised my son I would take him Trout fishing before school starts. I took him for about 2 hours this morning. We fished from the bank. I stood in the chilly 46 degree water (ankle high). It kept me more than coolIt took a about 6 lures before I found the ticket. Today it was a Blue and silver Blue Fox spinner Size 0. We caught about 20. Theres no telling how many bumps, bites and flashes we had. It seemed like every cast. The school had at least 50 trout in it. They were all Rainbows, about 10". All I could think is how good they would look with a 3/0 hook on a flatline in the Winter. If you get a chance, take your kids. It will keep them busy. The scenery is superb. Herons, Beavers, Log jambs, Rocks, Cool mist, ETC

Beavers can no longer be considered good scenery on Lanier anymore. Please read one of my recent post.

That sounds like a lot of fun for the kids - I don't know why I haven't already took the boys. If the water was 46, you must have went during generation?

The tailwater there is always cold, but 46 sounds very low to me. Surprised the fish were active at all.

that hooch section is fantastic for a canoe trip with kids--- only one (mild) rapid just above Hwy 20, and as you mentioned, more trout than you can count. There are monsters in some of the slower, deeper sections downstream-- if live minnows/shiners were allowed in there, the state record for browns would change each season. Don't even think about it, though-- that's one place in GA where the boys in green are always on the prowl!

The Dam store rents canoes and kayaks-- will drop you off and pick you up ~7mi downstream for ~$15-20/head. The only problem is that they prefer to have an assigned pick-up time, which is not calibrated for a slower, million cast fishing trip-- although a few extra bucks can go a long way with anyone.

Stars&Stripes--- your post is going to make it hard for me to decide about this weekend-- 22' Sea chaser or 17' coleman? Ouch. I love catching fish by any means, but casting lures is by far my favorite way to do it, whether on the lake, inshore, or on the river. Just like "bad" sex-- a lousy fish on a lousy cast is still pretty dang good.
A 40 lb striper is a fish of a lifetime-- but a 16 inch trout on a fly rod or light spinning gear still gets the juices going for me!

I took my 8 year old last sat and we put the little boat in and went north from Abbotts Bridge. We saw a TON of trout. really cool for my son. we did not catch a ton but had a bunch chase so it was cool.