Callaway Gardens in Georgia

[Robert]

Has anyone been? Have heard it has a "managed" small lake with big bluegills, among other fish. No fishing from shore. Only boats they allow are their rentals, with trolling motors only.  Planning a trip there in mid-March..

 

Anyone ever been?

 

Robert

[John Wiley]

ok Robert, I dont have any first hand info but this is what I know,,, They mostly fly fish the lakes, and you can get  a trip through Kingfisher Outfitters down there , right now the lakes are stocked with monster trout for the cold season and as the weather warms they let people keep the fish due to them dying in the warm water of the summer,,and then they turn to warm water fish, as for brim there are monsters in these lakes from what im told 8" is small, Carter Nelson used to run things down there"and still might, dont know for sure" and has made a name from the gill fly's he came up with for the lakes, "RLD's" do a search, there are several you-tube vids of him fishing there, I was lookinh into it myself but I think I can do as good up on the Tn River..

A lot of the local trout sites have guys talking about fishing there and all ive read has been good..

Dont know if that helped of not...

John

 

[Robert]

John, thank you greatly for the response. I am not a trout guy, brim and crappie are my weakness. Big Brim and Crappie. I drove over to Callaway a couple of weekends ago and talked to a gentleman who is a guide there. Can't recall his name. He told me the same - an 8" gill being small.. Says 2 pounders are common and sometimes sees a 3lb shellcracker. If that's not "storytelling", I am IN!

My plan is to get up there a few times this spring. Will give a detailed report when I do.

Thanks again, John.

[kenneth day sale]

Hey Robert My Uncle..John Lee Sale was a hunting guide and dog trainer at the "Gardens" for over twenty years. He retired in the mid 80's so that is where my knowledge ends. However I can say without reservation that this is a trip you should take. My father died when I was young and Uncle John Lee would let me spend a couple of months every summer fishing with him and a couple of weeks at Christmas putting out birds and working the dogs for his clients. The pond you are referring to is world-class but if you really want some HUGE BG ask your guide if he will take you to some of the hyper-managed small ponds(5-15acres) hidden on the hunting preserve!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE                                           Good Luck and have FUN!!       Ken S

[Robert]

Ken, thanks for your input.  We plan on fishing the main lake without a guide during bedding season but may have to add a day with a guide on the other ponds.

I will give a full report after I go!

 

Robert

 

[Steve Crowder]

Sound like a fun trip Robert. Would love to read and see pictures of your adventures there.