OCONEE ON THE FLY-

Contributed By Capt. Wayne Moore - USCG Licensed www.oconeeonthefly.com

Captain Keenan - June 2023 Forecast

People sometimes ask me why I write about fellow guides. The simple truth is we all learn from each other and, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

Keenan Nottingham is a fellow guide and friend from whom I have learned a lot. Keenan guides out of a beautiful, fully rigged tritoon boat complete with the latest electronics including Garmin Livescope! He is a USCG licensed Master Captain and he has been guiding here on Lake Oconee for over four years. It is not uncommon for his clients to catch 50 to 60 fish on crappie trips.

I asked Keenan why he became a guide. It turns out that his son went to a guide school in Montana but decided that being at home with his new family would take priority for now. His son’s journey inspired Keenan and he has really figured out how to catch large numbers of fish consistently.

So, what is his secret to success? He focuses on structure fishing. This is where the great electronics and experience counts. He will use the electronics to locate submerged timber that is holding large numbers of fish. Once the specific structure is located, he positions his boat either directly above it or very close to it and the customer simply lowers a minnow just above the structure. In my opinion this takes a lot of skill and it’s well worth hiring him to learn about it.

You can reach Keenan via his website: https://nottinghamguideservice.com/, email - nottinghamguideservice@gmail. com or just give him a call at 770-6349101.

Forecast for June:

Crappie – June is a great month for crappie here on Lake Oconee. The trolling bite will still be strong early in the morning. Just troll 1/16th and a 1/32 jig over the submerged tree tops. The fish will have oriented themselves to sub- merged timber (the brush pile bite), and if you locate the structure holding fish and simply drop a minnow just above them, you will catch a mess of them. This bite is good in the afternoon.

Hybrids / Stripers – Early June is one of my favorite times to fish for hybrids and stripers. There is often a top water bite at first light. Last year it was mid-lake near Riverbend. Throw a ¼ ounce bucktail jig, a 7/8-ounce War Eagle Spoon, or a popping cork with a Betts “Pop N’ Stripe Popper Fly,” and you will get bit.

After first light look for humps and drop the 7/8-ounce War Eagle Spoon (I like the white or white and chartreuse colors) or a live threadfin down to them and it can be very productive. On the shad use a #4 circle hook under a swivel sinker with a 10lb fluorocarbon leader at least 4 feet long.

Fly Fishing - The opportunities for fly fishing in June will be at first light, particularly if they are pumping water up from Lake Sinclair, or if you see the topwater activity I mentioned near Riverbend

I use intermediate line on an 8-weight rod with a 9-foot, 12-pound fluorocarbon leader. A Cowen’s Somethin Else fly is your best bet, but if the fish are rising, try a wiggle minnow.

After first light, fish the humps and use an 8-weight rod with sink tip line, a 5-foot section of 15lb fluorocarbon for the leader, and a white and chartreuse clouser tied on a #2 hook.

Final Words

Remember that at this time of year there are a lot of recreational boats out. Plan to be on the water at first light and off by 10:30 AM. Contact me at wmoore1700@outlook.com or call 404317-9556 to book your trip.

Tight Lines, and God Bless.