Story by Joe Kolarik and thanks to Main Line Overland and Four Wheel Campers
Sometimes, the best trips aren’t the ones that go exactly as planned. They’re the ones where you chase good weather, follow a dirt road just to see where it leads, and leave room for a little unknown. That was the spirit behind our recent Georgia Traverse trip — a mix of fly fishing, off-road adventure, and campfire camaraderie in the wild corners of northern Georgia.
What started as a nine-hour drive from our shop in West Chester, Pennsylvania, turned into a multi-day expedition across mountain rivers, foggy ridgelines, and rocky backroads. Here’s how it went down.
Heading South: Pennsylvania to Asheville
We kicked things off at our West Chester, PA shop, where we packed up our CampOut Four Wheel Campers, loaded provisions, and headed south. A long haul on the interstate landed us in Asheville, North Carolina by nightfall — a town I’d wanted to check out for years. It didn’t disappoint. A quick stop at some local breweries and a laid-back dinner in town gave us a chance to stretch our legs after a full day behind the wheel.
The next morning, fueled by strong coffee and a hearty breakfast, we continued to northern Georgia to link up with Eric Estrada and Jameson Reading from Road Trip Angler. Jameson had been posted up at our local fly guide’s house, weather-watching while a band of storms passed through. Plans to fish that day were dashed by thunder and lightning, but sometimes you must heed Mother Nature. Instead, we scouted camping spots along the Noontootla Creek and made plans for better weather the next day. With camp set up just feet away from the creek’s edge and settled in for the night, anxiously awaiting Eric to arrive from Florida.
A River Camp and the Return of the Fly Rod
The skies cleared overnight, and we awoke to a beautiful morning along the Noontootla Creek. Our guide Drew rolled into camp with rods rigged and local fly wisdom ready to share. For me, it had been four years since I last held a fly rod. Back in college, I was a regular on the water, but life has a way of shifting priorities. This trip was my chance to reconnect with a hobby I’d always loved.
Our riverside campsite was perfect — right on the water’s edge, sun filtering through the trees, and the soothing rush of the stream’s current acting as background music. We fished the nearby creek in the morning, with Jameson landing a small wild brown trout, but the bite was slow. After a lunch break, we decided to shift to a different stretch of water, and things started to click. Within minutes, a couple of us were into nice-sized rainbows, including my first trout in years. The thrill of the catch instantly rekindled that fly fishing fire.
Farm Campsite Tacos and Campfire Beers
That evening, we rolled into one of the coolest camp spots of the trip — a local farm with private water access and a menagerie of chickens, pigs, cows, and even a few peacocks. The farmer was kind enough to let us camp on his land and fish his stretch of river the next day. It was the kind of off-grid hospitality that reminds you why these road trips are so special.
Setting up camp was a breeze thanks to the Four Wheel Camper on the back of our F-250. In under three minutes, we had the roof popped, lights on, and the fridge running cold. It’s hard to beat having a real bed, heat, and a dry place to relax after a long day on the water. In a matter of minutes, we went from cold, wet waders to warm five-star overland comfort.
Dinner plans involved simply firing up the Four Wheel Campers portable propane stove. On the menu: ground venison tacos with pickled onionand cilantro, all washed down with cold beers and good conversation. There’s something about cooking outside after a full day on the water that just hits differently.
Private Water, Big Rainbows, and Chattahoochee Bass
The next morning, clouds hung low — perfect fishing weather. Our riverside camp was less than 10 yards from the riverbank, and we hit the water early. The fish were hungry. Within an hour, everyone had caught something, and we landed several healthy rainbows.
What made the day extra special was catching a Chattahoochee bass — a unique, beautifully colored species native to the area with a limited range. Neither of us had even realized what it was at first, thinking it might be a smallmouth or some kind of hybrid. After a quick look up, we learned they typically only grow to 5–11 inches, and both of us had landed commendable examples on the fly. It was a cool bonus on a trip already packed with highlights.
Gravel Roads, Foggy Ridges, and Technical Climbs
After a full morning of fishing and a hearty breakfast of leftover tacos and fresh coffee, it was time to head north and hit the Georgia Traverse proper. The trail greeted us with fog so thick we could barely see the truck ahead, making for a surreal drive up the mountain. What was supposed to be an easy search for a ridgeline campsite turned into a foggy scavenger hunt for flat ground.
Eventually, we found a suitable clearing — a nice big site on a ridge surrounded by mist. The fog was so thick that the air couldn’t hold any more moisture, creating a constant mist that made everything wet. We quickly made dinner and settled ourselves in under the awning in hopes of staying dry. Once again, the Four Wheel Camper setup was quick and easy. Pop the top, flip on the lights, and take a load off. No tent stakes, no fiddling with tarps, no sleeping on the ground. It’s one of those small luxuries that makes the rough trails and wet weather feel like part of the fun, not a chore.
By morning, the fog was still heavy in the air. We decided not to hang around, we packed up camp and hit the trail, hoping to escape the fog so we could catch a glimpse of the beautiful peaks and valleys that North Georgia is well known for.
Off-Trail Discoveries and Last Casts
As the trail wound eastward, we passed countless tempting pull-offs and creek side camps; one in particular made us all a little regretful we hadn’t pressed on further the night before — a wide, open site shaded by towering pines with a crystal-clear stream running alongside it. We dropped a pin for next time.
Midday brought more rocky climbs, rutted trails, and water crossings, with the fog finally lifting to reveal some long-awaited mountain vistas. The trail conditions varied — some sections were wet and muddy, others bone-dry and dusty — but every mile was a good one.
In one random stretch of road, the temptation to wet a line was too strong to resist. Jameson grabbed a rod, made a few casts, and sure enough, hooked into another rainbow trout right there on the roadside. It was a fitting end to a trip defined by spur-of-the-moment decisions and off-the-map stops.
Reflections and the Next Adventure
Looking back, it’s tough to pick a single highlight from the trip. The farm camp and its wild menagerie, catching that Chattahoochee bass, the foggy mountain campsite, or the feeling of seeing our rig handle the technical terrain with ease — it all blends together into one of those perfect overland memories.
Beyond the fish caught and miles logged, it was the sense of connection that stood out. The kind of camaraderie you build over shared challenges, riverside laughs, and foggy mornings. The trip reminded me why we chase these moments — not just for the fish or the trails, but for the stories you tell afterward.
Already, there’s talk of the next one.
Final Thoughts
Overlanding and fly fishing through Georgia felt like a masterclass in slowing down. The trails aren’t particularly difficult, but they’re packed with character — winding gravel roads, steep technical climbs, and hidden stretches of water that you’d never find without a little curiosity and a map.
Having the Four Wheel Camper along for the ride elevated the whole experience. It let us chase fish and sunsets without worrying about where we’d sleep or what the weather was doing. Five minutes to set up camp, a real bed to crash in, and coffee brewed inside while the fog rolled past the windows — it turned a good road trip into a great one.
If you’re considering an overland route through the Southeast, throw the Georgia Traverse on your list. Bring your fly rod, a cooler full of local beer, and if you can swing it, a rig that lets you camp in style. You won’t regret it.
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