River Through Atlanta Guide Service

What a great way to spend Father’s Day with my kids. A fantastic experience with our top notch guide guide John McCloskey. The weather was perfect and we got a very patient and encouraging intro to fly fishing from John. Plenty of bites and we caught 3 beautiful rainbows. A fun filled, enjoyable half day trip for the family. Highly recommended !

I am a huge fan of the movie «A River Runs Through It» and on my many drives I would always end up watching the fly fishermen on the bank of the Chattahoochee. I was fascinated with the motion as they threw out the reel, the count they had between each swing and the way the line danced along the top of the water. I was put in a trance and knew I had to try it for myself.
Thankfully, after an extensive Google search I found an instructor. I was told to bring a pair of overall waders, a hat and a lot of patience. It was a cool day in October so needless to say, getting in the water, even in waders took my breath away but I eventually got used to it the more I moved around.
The instructor was knowledgeable and patient. He counted with me as I snapped my wrist front to back and he held on to me and my rod as we moved up and down the stream. I was in my glory! The Fall leaves were bright orange, yellow and red up and down the river; this paired with the cool water running by us and the light breeze was absolute heaven. There were other, more seasoned, fly fishermen about 40 yards away but even with them so close, it was quiet and serene. There is such an art to the swing of the line and the release and while I was pleased I got the rhythm down quickly I didn’t want to really get too intense my first day but the instructor claimed I could be on my own after lunch.
Through lunch I gave myself the «you can do this» pep talk and even though I was literally shaking in my waders I was handed my rod and away I went. I tried to make it as close to the other guys fishing as I could but kept my distance because of my giggling as a little cold water got in to my waders and my nerves were getting the best of me. I finally found a place in the water, almost to my waist where I felt comfortable enough to begin. I moved my foot a little to the left under water, leaned my rod back to swing and as I stepped forward I lost my footing and slipped, going under water. I stood back up screaming as my waders were filling full of water, ultimately dragging me under. At this time I had lost complete control and was beginning to go down stream with the current as I lost my rod and my hat. Thankfully, the instructor and every other guy fishing had come to my rescue. I was embarrassed and mortified as I was helped back to the bank. I walked up to the rocks where my instructor was and felt an odd cool breeze come up my back-​I tore my waders in the process of almost drowning. Considering this was my first time with waders, no one told me you have to wear pants regardless of the waders you are wearing. So, there I was, the only girl on the river that day that was sucked in to the water, my hair a mess, shivering uncontrollably and now my bare ass flashing the guys that came to my rescue.
I was encouraged to come back the next day but needless to say my pride and my sore ass never made it back. That was over a year ago and I still have the torn waders to prove that at least for a few hours I was fly fishing!

Based on my experience three things happen if you book a trip with these guides:
1. You will catch trout.
2. You will learn about how to catch rainbow and brown trout in cold tailwater rivers, like how to adapt to changing light and river conditions, when to switch to a dry fly, change color nymph, tie on a dropper, etc.
3. You will have a good time. You are pampered, and you won’t get wet.
Our guide tied the flies, tied them on your line when needed in a hurry, and will offer helpful fly casting instruction if requested. They spend a lot of time on the Chattahoochee River so they know the hatches, and what fly/​nymph/​streamer is working that week.
I’ll definitely book Chris Scalley and his team again this fall.

For those of you who have been fishing for a while, or are just beginning, a good guide can come in handy. I finally got the chance to go out with Capt. Kyle Burrell of River Through Atlanta this Tuesday. I’m not exactly a beginner, but I did manage to learn more in about 8 hours of fishing with a very experienced guide than I have over several months of trying on my own. I also was able to explore much more river than I could have safely managed by wading on my own.
Chris Scalley, the owner of RTA, has done a lot to educate anglers and nonanglers about the importance of conservation. Kyle, whom I’ve known for a couple of years, is extremely knowledgable when it comes to trout habitat, river ecosystems, and of course, fly fishing techniques.
RTA offers both drift boat and wading trips. Beginners are just as welcome as veterans. They offer schools in addition to trips. Half-​days are offered as well. Perfect for travelers in town for business or someone who’d like to see what it’s all about before diving into the sport headfirst.