With the cold returning after the brief warm weather interlude at Christmas, anglers can expect bass fishing to get difficult again as the metabolism of the fish slows their appetites.
One species that doesn’t care how cold it gets is the rainbow trout. And while trout are not native to Alabama, there’s a very good fishery for them here thanks to regular stocking of the chilly water that comes out of the bottom of Lewis Smith Dam, located between Cullman and Jasper.
The water from the depths of the lake is cold year around, which allows trout to survive for extended periods in the upper six miles of the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River.
The water in this stream is also exceptionally clear compared to most Alabama rivers, another plus for trout fishing, and it’s well oxygenated most of the year. With several thousand trout per month going into the river, thanks to a co-op agreement between Alabama Power and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the bite is usually good.
Since these are hatchery trout, they’re used to eating inert food. This makes prepared baits like Berkley’s GULP trout bait or preserved salmon eggs favorites for most who simply want to harvest a few trout for dinner. They take live worms equally well.
Bait fishing also requires less finesse than catching the trout on flies or lures, so it’s the easy way to go for less expert anglers and young fishermen. An ultra-light 5- to 6-foot spinning rod with 4-to-6-pound test mono, some size 10 hooks and a small bubble float is all the gear that’s required.
For those with a bit more experience, the fish also readily grab wet flies—bead-heads in size 12 and smaller, and when the flow is low and steady they also take dry flies in sizes 14 and smaller. Coachman or Wulff patterns do the job for these relatively unsophisticated fish. Five-weight tackle or lighter is about right—the fish average under a foot long. It’s also possible to fish the flies on spinning gear—drift them a couple feet behind a spinning bubble.
Tiny spinnerbaits and spoons, 1/8 to 1/16 ounce, also catch their share.
Access to the fishing is easy. A road runs along the east side of the river from Alabama 69 to the dam, and there are a series of stairs and aluminum walkways here providing an easy way down to the water. It’s possible to fish from the aluminum piers, when the water is high enough, or to step off the walkway and walk along the rocky shore to the pools, when the flow is slow. Waders will allow accessing more of the river, but don’t attempt to wade if the water is flowing at all fast.
High water slows the fishing, moving the bait too fast and forcing the fish to fight to hold position rather than think about feeding. No flow at all also slows the bite—the fish simply aren’t active. A steady flow with plenty of water moving through the pools at about walking pace is ideal. The flow is controlled by the opening of the dam gates, and the schedule for these openings can be found on the website of Riverside Fly Shop, a classic fly fishing shop right on the banks of the river at the Alabama 69 bridge.
The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p,.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. They not only offer fishing advice and tackle tips, but also have available guided trips, either wading or via canoe. See their site at www.riversideflyshop.com.
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January 01, 2020 at 03:25PM
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Did you know trout fishing is a short drive away from 2 major Alabama cities? - AL.com
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