My name is Preston Harden, I'm from Commerce, Georgia and a graduate from the
University of Georgia. I have been guiding on Lake Hartwell since 2001, but I have been fishing for stripers since the mid 1980's. I fish year round at least five days a week.
I trout fish out west and chase red fish in Louisiana, but stripers and hybrids
occupy most of my time (about 200 days a year). My home is about 50 yards from
Lake Hartwell and my boat stays in the water ready to go.
I prefer to catch fish on artificial - either fly or spin - but if you want
to use bait, it is no problem. I have been flyfishing since I was 12 years old
and I fish with a fly much of the time.
Seasons
Spring is primetime with fish up shallow and eating well
Summer is slow for artificial, but good for bait fishing
in deep water
Fall is top water time with schooling fish eating poppers
and top water lures
Winter is prime fly-fishing time when big fish prowl shallow
water and eating small flies and jigs on light tackle