A recent adventure took me down south to Georgia, where we hit the Georgia Traverse —a rugged backcountry route that’s part dirt roads, part trout streams, and all adventure. The goal? Camp, overland, and chase some hungry rainbow trout with a couple of my longtime buddies.
Joe from Mainline Overland made the trip down to join, and my good friend Eric Estrada came up from Florida. Add in a local guide with a secret honey hole, a few thunderstorms, and some epic campsites, and this trip checked all the boxes.
Why the Georgia Traverse?
I’ve always loved the outdoors—whether it’s fishing, hunting, or just driving my truck down a backroad. The Georgia Traverse had been on my radar for years. It’s the perfect mix of forest service roads, remote camping opportunities, and cold-water streams that are home to wild trout. Eric and I had talked about running the Georgia Traverse it for a long time. So this trip was our chance to finally make it happen.
Getting Local Fly Fishing Intel
Whenever I’m fishing new water, I like to lean on local knowledge. We linked up with Drew Friedrich of Kaha Fishing Company in Blue Ridge, GA.
Drew runs a killer fly shop but also knows the streams along the Georgia Traverse like the back of his hand. Drew set us up with the right rig: rubber legs with a San Juan worm dropper, plus some streamers in case the trout got aggressive.
With rain in the forecast, Drew decided to take us to one of his nearby spots that wouldn’t muddy up as quickly as others. It turned out to be a super-secret honey hole, complete with a hidden trench where trout love to hang.
Of course, fishing in tight quarters with a 9-foot fly rod isn’t easy—you’ve got to master roll casts and even some bow-and-arrow-style casting. But that’s part of the challenge, and when I finally landed a wild juvenile rainbow, it was worth every missed strike.
Weathering the Storm
Georgia weather doesn’t mess around. Midway through the day, a storm rolled in with heavy rain, lightning, and thunder. Luckily, I had been testing out a new app called OnWater, which made it easy to keep an eye on the radar and plan our next moves. We waited out the storm, regrouped, and got back after it.
Finally Hitting the Georgia Traverse
After fishing with Drew, it was time to meet up with Joe from Mainline Overland and set off on the Georgia Traverse. Blue Ridge served as our jumping-off point, and from there we pushed deeper into the woods.
One of the best parts about fishing along the Georgia Traverse is the camping. We found a prime spot right on the water—plenty of space for our rigs, and even better, a fishing hole just steps from camp. With a four-wheel camper on the back of the truck, it felt like we had a five-star hotel in the middle of the forest.
We set up, cooked dinner, and waited for Eric to roll in after dark. Nothing beats that first night around camp with good friends, good food, and the anticipation of trout fishing at sunrise.
More Trout, More Friends
The next morning, Drew joined us again to walk through some rigs and techniques. Fishing was tough—tight water, tricky casts, and spooky fish—but that’s what makes it so rewarding. After Drew headed back to his shop, we packed up camp and moved on to bigger water he had recommended.
That’s when things really started to click. Joe landed a beautiful rainbow, and Eric—who hadn’t caught a trout in years—hooked into one too. Seeing the stoke on their faces reminded me why I love these trips so much.
Frog Hollow Farm
As if the trip couldn’t get better, Eric mentioned a friend of a friend who had access to Frog Hollow Farm, a gorgeous piece of property with private trout water. Not only did they let us fish it, but they also welcomed us to camp there.
That night we capped things off with Taco Tuesday, complete with venison fajitas. Sitting around the fire, swapping stories, and looking forward to another day on the water—those are the moments I live for.
Georgia Overland Trout Fishing
The Georgia Traverse delivered everything I hoped it would: challenging wild trout fishing, rugged overlanding, and unforgettable time spent with friends. The combination of wild trout, remote forest roads, and southern hospitality made this trip one for the books.
If you’re looking for your next adventure—whether it’s with a rod in your hand, behind the wheel of your truck, or around a campfire—the Georgia Traverse has it all.
Interested in the overland truck I used on this trip? Read more about the GMC Sierra and Project M Four Wheel Camper.
