Trails parallel the Chattooga on the South Carolina side and are accessible at the Burrells Ford and U.S. Highway 28 bridges. Anglers also can hike in along the Foothills Trail from state Highway 107 or from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery along the East Fork of the Chattooga River.

The limit on the Chattooga is eight fish, except through the delayed-harvest section, where only catch-and-release fishing with single-hook artificial lures is permitted though May 14. A reciprocal agreement allows anglers licensed by Georgia or South Carolina to fish either side of the river.

EAST FORK CHATTOOGA RIVER
Finally, brown trout fishermen should not overlook the East Fork of the Chattooga and a few smaller tributaries. While the East Fork is heavily fished near the hatchery, where easily accessible runs are heavily stocked, waters upstream and downstream are lightly fished, and the East Fork supports a very good population of wild brown trout.

Except during the fall, when large browns move up Chattooga tributaries to spawn, the East Fork doesn't produce many really large fish. However, this tumbling creek's many plunge pools support a good population of wild browns, and fish up to 18 inches will show up from time to time.

The entire South Carolina run of the East Fork is on public land with all except the hatchery portion tumbling through the Sumter National Forest. The first access is well up the creek, where it is quite small, at the state Highway 107 crossing. The best access is from the hatchery, and anglers can fish upstream or downstream from that point.

A hiking trail parallels the East Fork from the hatchery all the way to the Chattooga. The upper part of this trail stays close and offers easy access in and out of the stream. Closer to the main river, the East Fork pours through a deep gorge, falling well away from the trail, and access through the gorge is challenging. Through this section, the river tumbles often, creating big pools that offer great brown trout habitat.

Rankin noted that in addition to the Chattooga and its East Fork, serious brown trout fishermen might be interested in smaller tributaries of both streams. Specifically, he pointed toward Indian Camp Creek, which is a tributary of the East Fork, and King and Bad creeks, both direct tributaries of the Chattooga.