Logan Martin in the winter can be your best chance to catch the biggest bass in the lake. The water temperatures usually vary this time of year, but here are a few ways I approach Logan Martin to catch the bass of the year and maybe a lifetime!
Typically, when you read any article on fishing in the winter, it’s going to include fishing deep most of the time. I am not saying you cannot catch fish deep on Logan Martin in the winter, but usually a lot of my bigger fish come out of shallow water in the winter. This is especially true if the weather is in a warming trend.
Normally, I’m still going to start around on the main river. There are a couple things I look for in order to feel like I’m fishing the most productive waters. First, there must be some type of baitfish in the area. Second, I’m looking for more vertical structure this time of year.
The baitfish change daily on what part of the water column they may use. Vertical structure allows fish to move up and down easily with the baitfish. A couple examples of this might be deeper docks or steep river banks with rock and laydowns.
A few of my favorite bait this time of the year are a flat-sided crank bait, a spinnerbait and jig. I will throw some type of red or crawfish color pattern on the crank bait. This is one of the better baits to use if the water is colder than 60 degrees.
The flat-sided crankbait is a great way to get those fish to react in cold water. If the water has a little stain to it, a spinnerbait can be a deadly on warmer days.
Usually, the spinnerbait works best slow-rolling it on the bottom. I’ll typically use a ½-ounce spinnerbait with a single Colorado as the blade. The type of jig I use is dependent upon water color. If the water is dirty, I will flip a black and blue jig. If the water is clear, I’ll stick with the more natural colors, like green pumpkin.
A jig is a great way to get really big bites this time of year. In January and February, it’s the size, not the number. Those months are not the best for catching numbers of fish, but if you bundle up and brave the elements, you could possibly catch some of the biggest fish in the lake.
Neely Henry
Neely Henry historically is one of the better lakes on the Coosa for winter time fishing. Why? It sets up really well for wintertime fishing.
Neely Henry is full of rip rap banks and vertical bluff walls in certain sections of the lake. This allows bass to move up and down with ease with changes in the weather and in water temp.
Neely Henry also has a lot of docks and flat clay points. These two choices are also great wintertime hot spots.
On the rip rap, I usually first reach for a square bill crank bait. I keep colors fairly simple. Either I’ll throw a red or some sort of shad pattern. Boat positioning is a big key to success with the crankbait as well. I will hug the boat fairly tight to the bank and make repeated parallel casts. This allows me to cover more water efficiently and keep my bait in the strike zone longer.
My next bait choice is a jerkbait. A jerkbait can be a real good fish catcher if the water is a little clear. I’ll fish a jerkbait around clay points and deeper docks in creeks. Another great bait at Neely Henry is a jig.
The jig probably ranks up there as one of my favorite baits at Neely Henry. The reason I like the jig is because I can fish it around any type of structure. It doesn’t matter – rock, docks or wood. If the water is below 60 degrees, a jig will always be in the back of my mind when fishing Neely Henry.
These two months, January and February, can be when Neely Henry shines the brightest all year. So, don’t fail to go and give some of this a try.
Zeke Gossett of Zeke Gossett Fishing grew up on the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake. He is a former collegiate champion and is now a professional angler on the B.A.S.S. tour circuit and is a fishing guide. Learn more about Zeke at: zekegossettfishing.com.
Shelia Bunch’s work revolves around all things fishing, but the Tennessee businesswoman doesn’t have time to enjoy the pastime herself. She’s too busy running the show – literally.
Now Bunch, who has organized the East Tennessee Fishing Show and Expo for the past 14 years, is bringing the inaugural Alabama Fishing Show and Expo to Gadsden March 10-12 at The Venue at Coosa Landing. She’s hoping the lure of hundreds of vendors from all over the country, prizes and pro angler seminars will reel in fishing enthusiasts from all over Alabama and beyond.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for the past two or three years, but then COVID struck,” she said. “There’s no fishing shows in Alabama, there’s only boat shows,” she said. “There’s a big difference between fishing shows and boat shows.”
From fishing poles to kayaks, everything is on display
When Bunch decided to take her show on the road, she considered Georgia and South Carolina before deciding Alabama was the perfect fit. “You guys have some of the greatest fishing talent in Alabama, you’ve got great lakes, and so many great fishing tournaments,” she said.
After taking over the show that had been held in the Knoxville area for 30 years but was struggling, Bunch vowed to make it bigger and better than ever before. Since then, the Tennessee event has grown to include more than 300 vendors from all over the country and Canada. Visitors from 12 states have attended, searching for gear for both salt and freshwater fishing.
“Our goal is to provide a family-friendly fishing event for everyone who has a passion for fishing,” she said. “We focus only on the fishing industry. You’re only going to see fishing boats here. We have tackle vendors with products you’ll never be able to see anywhere else. It’s exciting to pull all this together.”
So far, local vendors, as well as some from Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana have committed to Alabama’s show. Bunch said many more will register over the next few months, offering everything from boats, tackle, custom lures, rods, reels, clothing, electronics, fishing accessories and more.
Second Career
In her former life, Bunch owned a hair salon. “It’s a different type of work for sure,” she said before adding that she’s had plenty of experience helping out in her husband Curtis’ boat dealership. She also loves a challenge. “I’m great at planning events, I’m very organized, and I’m fair,” she said. “At first, the vendors did not like having some little short woman come in and tell everybody what to do. But over the years, I’ve been very open-minded, and they’ve really supported me.”
That’s because Bunch offers them a lot of support, as well. “I believe in small business,” she said. “We have everything from big-name vendors to small-name vendors, and some get their start at our show. I do my best to support their products because they need a chance to build their business like everybody else.”
One of Bunch’s favorite things about the show is that it gives families a chance to build memories. “We have so many people come in and say they remember when their grandfather took them to a fishing show,” she said. “If you want anything to do with fishing, this is where you come to. If you don’t fish, by the time you leave, you’ll wish you did, or you’ll have plans to start.” l
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Mackenzie Free Submitted Photos
For most of us, life along the Coosa River is pretty peaceful. Whether we’re headed out to wet a line or just cruise around in the pontoon boat, we probably don’t think much about the bold warriors and soldiers who needed this water to survive. Nor do we envision the battles that took place near the water’s edge. Few reminders of those battles remain today.
Control of waterways and water crossings was a prize to be won in many skirmishes, as was the case in 1864 in the Battle of Ten Islands. The engagement ended badly for the Confederate troops when, vastly outnumbered by the Union forces, they tried valiantly to keep the opposing forces from crossing the Coosa River at the Ten Islands Ford.
Today, the importance of this battle is commemorated at Ten Islands Historical Park in Ragland. A historical marker looking out over the water just north of Neely Henry Dam reminds observers of the history made there.
Union General William Sherman had ordered Major General Lovell Rousseau to lead a raid into Alabama with the mission of destroying the railroad that connected Montgomery to Opelika. If he could destroy that section of rail, he could disrupt the supplies to the Confederate army.
His secondary mission, Rousseau was told, was to destroy any ironworks or furnaces that made weapons along his route.
Forth Strother monument
On the Confederate side, Brigadier General James H. Clanton and a cavalry of 300 were charged with protecting both Janney Furnace and nearby Cane Creek Furnace and keeping Rousseau and his band of 2,300 raiders from crossing the Coosa River. Rousseau’s raiders persevered and were able to defeat Clanton’s men. Having found out the location of the two furnaces, Rousseau sent a detail to destroy them both.
“Rousseau picked Captain Ed Ruger and told him to burn down Janney Furnace and any buildings that supported it,” tells Janney Museum Director Tom Norton, describing events leading up to the attack. “After he burned the place down, he wrapped the small chimney in dynamite and blew it up, too.”
The raiders destroyed the Cane Creek Furnace, but only destroyed the infrastructure of the Janney Furnace. What remains today is what didn’t get burned or blown up. That they didn’t completely destroy the stone structure supports the theory that the Janney Furnace was not fully functional at the time of the attack.
The furnace had just been constructed and was likely not quite ready for production. What businessman Alfred Janney had built, hoping to produce 15 tons of pig iron per day, likely did not have a chance to support the Confederate war effort at all.
That theory would later be supported in a 2006 study of Janney’s 50-foot high remaining stone structure. Jacksonville State University Professor Emeritus Dr. Harry Holstein led a study of the ground in and around the hearth.
“We didn’t find any evidence of charring or burning on the bricks,” said Holstein. “That, coupled with not finding any slag or sand on the casting floor, indicated that it was highly unlikely that the furnace had ever produced any pig iron at all.”
After being destroyed by Rousseau’s Raiders, anything left at the Janney Furnace was hauled away or sold for scrap. In the 140 years that followed, the stone structure was nearly reclaimed by the earth. When Calhoun County Commissioner Eli Henderson helped to establish the Janney restoration project, the furnace was so hidden by overgrowth, that it could barely be seen.
“It was really covered with vines, kudzu, poison ivy and pine trees,” said Holstein. “Eli Henderson really pushed the effort to reclaim the furnace and highlight the history that was made there.”
It since has been cleaned up and is now able to be seen at the site of the Janney Furnace Museum on Janney Road in Ohatchee. A monument erected on the site pays homage to local soldiers who died in the Civil War. Visitors can also see a one-room log cabin like one that would have been in the Janney Furnace workers village.
The Daniels House was built in 1843 and was heavily damaged in a deadly tornado in 2011. It was disassembled and moved five miles to its location near the furnace.
Commissioner Henderson was also a champion in the effort to save another local piece of history. Barely five miles from the Janney Furnace is the site of a military fort that was instrumental in the Creek Indian War of 1813-14. It is overgrown by weeds and woods and all but lost to history now.
Less than a mile from Henry Neely Dam, a simple engraved rock now commemorates the significance of Fort Strother, the first military installation ever built in what is now Alabama.
The Battle of Tallushatchee and the Battle of Talladega might have ended very differently had it not been for this fort built by General Andrew Jackson in 1813. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh was rallying tribes to resist the expansion of the United States into Native American lands.
Ten Islands historic marker overlooking water
General Jackson was sent to Alabama to stop Chief Tecumseh’s warriors who were intent on driving out the frontier settlers there.
On a hill overlooking the Coosa, just past the Ten Island Ford, he built Fort Strother, a supply base and forward command post that served to support the efforts in America’s battle with the Creek faction known as the Red Sticks. From this base, he planned to launch attacks against nearby Red Stick villages.
One such attack took place Nov. 3, 1813, when Jackson sent Brigadier General John Coffee and 900 of his troops 10 miles southeast of the fort to destroy the Creek village of Tallushatchee.
Among those troops was a well-known frontiersman named Davy Crockett, serving in the Tennessee militia. By the end of the day, nearly 200 Creek had fallen at the hands of the American force, which logged it as their first military victory of the war.
Six days later, General Jackson marched from Fort Strother to Talladega to help Coffee win the Battle of Talladega. The two wins at Tallushatchee and Talladega caused considerable casualties for the Red Sticks, which set up for an American victory at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Tallapoosa County the following March.
After General Jackson marched on toward New Orleans to defend the city in 1814, the fort was abandoned and fell into disrepair.
Archaeologists from Jacksonville State and the University of Alabama have studied the site, as recently as 1999, revealing hundreds of artifacts. Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the team noted the location of at least 60 pinch-toed coffins aligned in military fashion.
“There are actually 80 marble headstones sitting somewhere in Ragland, last I knew,” said Holstein. “Local historians had raised the money to purchase headstones for those soldiers buried there. But the restoration never got off the ground. You can’t just identify the graves and then not protect the cemetery.”
Despite the fort being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, proposals to have it reclaimed and rebuilt have proven too costly and, so far, not a high priority.
Today, what remains of the fort is hidden in dense woods, along with the unmarked graves of soldiers who died there. The campaign to reclaim the fort seems to have died with the passing of its champion, Henderson, in 2020.
These relics of war, some well preserved and others shrouded in the growth of years of neglect, sit as a reminder that our waters have not always been a place of peace and tranquility. Our comfortable homes and businesses are built on the bravery of those who walked these shorelines before us. l
Editor’s Note:You can learn more at the Janney Furnace Museum in Ohatchee. www.janneyfurnace.org
For every chili recipe, there’s a cook who thinks his or hers is the best. That’s why the members of Downtown Gadsden Inc. look forward to hosting a friendly competition each year. Because when it comes to dishing out bragging rights, they just can’t resist stirring the pot.
“We open it up to people who think they have the best chili and invite them to come and prove it,” Kay Moore said of the 15th Annual Downtown Gadsden Chili Cook-off. Set for February 4, the contest promises to be one of the hottest events in town. “It’s all about having fun and camaraderie, being downtown and enjoying a lot of good chili,” said Moore, director of Downtown Gadsden, Inc., which organizes the event. In past years, they’ve had about 35 entries and crowds ranging from 700 to 1,000 have gathered to treat their taste buds.
Visitors line the streets to get a taste of the competition.
“We ask the cookers to bring enough to feed a bunch of people,” she said, adding that there’s a $40 entry fee for the cooking teams and anyone can enter the competition. “We’ve had people enter from Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville and as far away as Kentucky,” she said.
Whether your tastes run from mild to spicy or you prefer the traditional variety, white chicken chili or vegetarian chili, you’re sure to find a batch you love. The judges, however, seem to have a “type.”
“We have all different kinds of chili but for some reason, it’s your good old fashioned regular chili that always wins,” said Moore, adding that the competition is judged blindly. “We have runners who take the chili to the judges and each cup is marked with only a number on the bottom.”
Winning recipe
2022 Chili Cook-off winners
Jeff Martin and his fellow cookers seem to have cracked the code. His team, Dowdy’s Office Equipment, has won the competition the last three years, and he believes they have taken top honors five of the last seven. “We always use the same recipe,” Martin said of his team, which consists of his business partner Lewis Couch and friends David Couch and Ross Hudak. “It’s a recipe we’ve had for 25 years. I think somebody stole it from somebody else.”
Their chili is so good, in fact, that Ted Gentry, a founding member of the band, “Alabama,” bought the rights to the recipe last year. The chili is the menu headliner for Gentry’s Blue Ribbon Chili Wagon that’s often parked at the Alabama Fan Club and Museum in Fort Payne.
“Apparently he went all over the state looking for the best chili,” Martin said. The fact that Gentry has the rights doesn’t mean that the Dowdy crew is out of the running this year, though. “The only provision is that we still get to use it in the chili contest,” he said.
Although the winners earn some prize money and a Crowd Favorite is chosen, as well, the event is mostly a fun way for the community to get together and raise funds to support downtown projects. “Our job is to continue the growth of downtown while keeping our historical heritage,” Moore said. “A downtown of any small town is the heartbeat of the community.”
Boat companies focusing on technology, performance and luxury
After two years of long waits to get that perfect boat, according to dealers across Central Alabama, 2023 is looking to be a great year to shop for the watercraft of your dreams. Whether it is a pontoon, tritoon wake boat, bass boat or even a kayak, marine manufacturers have stepped up their game in both quality and design this year.
SunChaser
SunChaser Boats brings a great combination of comfort, affordability and performance to the table this year with their latest Geneva and Eclipse. The plush interior, upgraded upholstery and executive helm station elevated on a raised platform for an enhanced sightline are only the beginning of what sets Eclipse apart. Premium standard features like extended stern platforms and full-height panels, high back helm chairs that swivel, slide and recline, X-Treme Performance Strakes and third tube technology put Eclipse in a class of its own.
Similarly, the highly versatile Geneva Sport Series features standard X-Treme PR25 Performance Third Tube Package for outboards up to a searing 300 HP, so no matter how you customize your pontoon boat, you’re in for a treat.
You can find a full line of SunChaser boats at University Marine in Pell City
Bennington Pontoons
Long known for luxury and performance, even in their base trim, Bennington Boats is making 2023 no exception. With a long list of exclusive features, design attributes, and stunning performance, the QX Sport has the potential to disrupt Newton’s Laws from the moment it hits the water. One-of-a-kind, the QX Sport delivers unprecedented performance no matter the water. You’ll find the integrated custom Roswell wake tower and windshield is a prime example of how this boat blends style and performance seamlessly. A spacious front deck, custom bow gate design and stylish integrated docking lights are just the beginning of the details that set it apart. Unique to the QX Sport, the standard sweeping fastback design at the stern encapsulates the performance flow plus includes integrated premium speakers as part of the exclusive high-end audio system.
Bennington’s L-Line boats are another great option for cruising the Coosa. The L model offers performance options and power packages up to 300 HP. A one-piece composite glass Expedition Plus console surrounds you with complete control thanks to an intuitive layout and easy to operate helm. Customize further with your choice of colors, smoked windscreen and optional GPS, sonar and depth finder equipment.
Check out the Bennington boats at Woods Surfside Marina in Cropwell.
Heyday Wakeboats
Wakeboarding and wakesurfing continue to grow in popularity on both Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes. Heyday has jumped into the 2023 game with a number of improvements and upgrades. The new WTSurf offers a sleek profile, spacious layout and more ballast than ever before. A full windshield and deep gunnels offer great protection from the elements and double-stitched upholstery keeps passengers comfortable. This model is built for socializing with removable backrests, flexible seating and ample space for gathering in the bow, cockpit, and stern. Between the stern’s ‘hot tub’ seats, a walkthrough provides easy access to the swim platform.
The H22 is one of the more affordable entries in the wake sport category. With the most standard features in its class, the H22 provides elevated styling, intuitive functionality, and thrilling performance, all at a value that allows you to make lasting memories with your friends and family.
Check out Heyday boats, along with a large inventory of pontoons and fishing boats, at Sylacauga Marine & ATV in Sylacauga.
Avalon Pontoons
Always a staple of the pontoon boat market, Avalon has a number of upgrades it is introducing in 2023. The Catalina and LSZ are part of their signature collection and are some of the best-selling boats on the water today. Avalon Catalina is the leader of their Signature collection. The Catalina offers luxurious helm and plush furnishings. These popular models come with plenty of premium core features, and offers the opportunity to upgrade to several features, including one of the performance pontoon packages.
The LSZ is Avalon’s best-selling pontoon boat model. An affordable yet elegantly stylish, brilliantly constructed pontoon, the LSZ features a beautiful wall design and designer, tricolored, handcrafted furniture. This pontoon can be personalized in many ways and is also available with your choice of triple pontoon, single engine, high performance packages.
Check out Avalon Pontoons at Poor House Branch Marina on Stemley Road in Talladega.
Silver Wave
One feature that was introduced a few years ago, the swingback reversable seating configuration, has become an almost must-have for many pontoon owners. The Silver Wave SW5 Swingback embraces that design concept. The knock-out feature of this model is the large lounge aft. It is a great spot to catch the rays and keep a watchful eye on your water skiers. When you are ready to go, the flip backrest converts this into a forward-facing seat. SW5 is loaded with everything you need to enjoy a fun day on the water with family and friends. Garmin GPS, a rocking Wet Sounds stereo system complete with color-changing LED speakers, cupholders, table, bimini, vanity mirror, dedicated trash can compartment and more.
You can find a selection of Silver Wave boats at Rodney’s Marine Center in Cropwell.
Starcraft Marine
Along with swingback seating, the other in-demand feature for many pontoon owners is a performance package designed for tow-behind fun, something the Starcraft SLS 3 spectacularly delivers. Drop the throttle and leave the work day behind in an SLS that comes standard with HMX PR25 Performance Package. Completely redesigned, the SLS now boasts an aggressive new fence and rail design, upgraded furniture with built-in cupholders and dual console floor-plans inspired by Starcraft’s top-of-the-line SX series. Standard features include an all new helm with optional flush-mount Simrad NSS evo3 touchscreen multi-fuction display, kicker KMC10 stereo with Bluetooth streaming, a full 10’ bimini top and Starcraft’s full heavy hat understructure for incredible handling and unsurpassed durability. Add an optional wake tower or our SLS SP Package to give this thrill ride your own personal touch.
Like the Silver Wave boats, Rodney’s Marine Center is the place to go for Starcraft pontoons.
Malibu Boats
The legendary 23 LSV is the best-selling towboat of all time because of its size, customization options, and agility. The 23 LSV packs everything your family needs for an unforgettable day on the water in the perfect size class without compromising space or performance. No matter your skill level – from beginner to pro – the 23 LSV delivers jaw-dropping wakeboard, wakesurf and water ski performance. From the sleek traditional bow that effortlessly cuts through chop to the walk-over transom and flip-down swim step, the iconic 23 LSV delivers on all fronts for the perfect summer on the water.
Check out Malibu Boats at Rambo Marine in Westover on U.S. 280.
Barletta Boats
Competing with companies like Bennington for luxury on the water, Barletta sets high standards with their Lusso line. Designed with you, and your on-water experience, in mind, the Barletta Lusso models offer something for everyone. A classic and stylish rail-set, ultra-soft and ultra-comfortable furniture, a sleek helm loaded with technology and leg-room, pet-friendly amenities … the list goes on and on. The Lusso brings comfort and luxury to your on-water experience. Wit high-end touches and feature-rich, you and your family will find everything you’ve ever wanted in a boat. From the toons up, Barlettas are built with a strong frame and innovative features such as I beam crossmembers. The heavy-duty build ensures a safe and sturdy ride. Barletta maximizes the potential in each model by offering versatile furniture that allows you to lounge, be the ultimate co-captain, sit in all different directions and even fish like a champ. Each floorplan is multifunctional so that you get the most out of your pontoon boat.
You can find Barletta boats at Rambo Marine.
Sylvan Marine
Sylvan is another quality brand in the pontoon market. Powerful, agile, comfortable and distinctive, the Sylvan S Series continues to set the standard for pontoon boat performance with its spirited handling and acceleration — all in surprising comfort. Sylvan Pontoon boats provide exclusive floorplans with unique features such as a seating area that converts into a bar area where you can entertain. Some of the options include things like wake tower, bimini top, premium sound system, performance upgrades and more.
Skiers Marine on 280 is the place to go in Central Alabama for Sylvan Pontoons.
MasterCraft
One of the original industry leaders for tow-behind fun on the water, MasterCraft continues that tradition in 2023. Introducing the XT family, where adaptable designs, athletic performance and enhanced versatility come standard. With the most customization options, both pickle-fork and traditional bow styling, and five models ranging from 20 to 24 feet, the XT family is the answer for anyone looking to amplify their summer. Regardless of the number of people in your crew, their interests, or your styling preferences, the XT family has the answer. The XT allows you to customize your boat to your precise needs and preferences. Load it up with premium options like a pop-up seatback, convertible rear bench, and wireless chargers or keep it sleek with standard XT features like hinged under-seat storage, Z6 tower and Essential clamping board racks.
Check out the XT and other MasterCraft boats at Skiers Marine.
Bass Cat Boats
Not to be overshadowed by pontoons and wake boats, bass and other fishing boats are always in high demand for anglers on the Coosa. For 2023 Bass Cat revamped their Puma across the board. The Puma name remains, but everything about this model is completely new. The Puma STS (Project ‘Stealth’) began in 2018 when the original STS hull concept took off in the newly redesigned Jaguar STS. Overall length has increased to 20’7″ allowing the 96″-wide beam to carry forward without sacrificing the performance characteristics Bass Cat is recognized for. From their patent-pending beveled Reflex fitted decks option to the all-new Soft Touch Series (STS) running surface, this boat is paving a new segment for Bass Cat that many will appreciate.
Buck’s Island in Southside is the place to go for Bass Cat Boats.
Hobie Kayaks
The other big draw for anglers on Logan Martin, Neely Henry lakes and their tributaries is kayak fishing. With the wide range of water conditions, you might want to find a kayak that can go anywhere, loaded with features – and that is pedal powered. For that, there is the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14. Everything elite anglers are looking for in a fishing kayak – total control, power, stability, performance, stealth, comfort and feature rich. A truly unique experience, it’s wide, rock-solid standing platform comes decked out with noise reducing EVA traction pads. Explore wherever you want to go with Kick-Up fins that automatically retract upon impact. Hobie’s ergonomic Vantage Seats take adjustability and breathability to a whole new level, with Boa system lumbar support technology that provide comfort for a full day on the water. Dual steering, Guardian Retractable Transducer Shield, horizontal rod storage, mounting boards, standing pads and an extra-wide beam are just a few of the features. Mount your rod holders, accessories and electronics on the patented,12-sided Hobie H-Rail bars.
Check out this unique top-of-the-line fishing kayak at Buck’s Island in Southside.
It was just last season when our long-awaited, brand spanking new tritoon boat arrived. There was no band playing or crowd there to herald it, but make no mistake, it was quite the celebration.
It had been 20 years since we bought a new boat. And I have to say ole Betsy served us well through two decades of lake seasons. But this season was a special one indeed.
Carol A. Pappas, Editor and Publisher
We’re no different than hundreds of people up and down Logan Martin and Neely Henry each year who celebrate just like we did as we welcomed our band new addition to the family. It’s much the same feeling you get when you open the door to a new car and take in the intoxicating aroma of that ‘new car smell.’ Only better.
For lake people and their friends and family (When you have a new boat, the size of that circle seems to grow a bit), a new boat means new adventures around every bend, making new memories to last through all the seasons to come. They call it ‘new boat fever’ and once you catch it, you’re never quite the same.
That feeling is what makes our January edition of the magazine so special. It’s page after page of new boats, new features and new adventures imagined in our annual LakeLife 24/7® Boat Show Edition. Can’t make it to the actual boat show or need a sneak peek before you head that way? Our local boat dealers show off their floating fare with all the accessories and options that are guaranteed to spark the fever.
It’s one of our most widely read sections, and it’s not just in print. It’s online, too, with added features of photos and videos to capture the essence of the boating world for 2023. Hop aboard! We think you’ll love it.
Of course, that’s not all we hope attracts your attention in this issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®. Our stories are as varied as the buffet of options our boat dealers are serving – something for everyone. Just like our adventures on the boat, we’ll take you to all sorts of places in this edition. Step inside the spectacular Logan Martin home of Gib and Lori Johnson, and you’ll see lake life at its best – in the kitchen and around the whole house.
Gone fishing? Don’t head that way until you read all about the Alabama Fishing Show & Expo coming to The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden in March. It’s an incredible show with vendors from all over the country introducing you to the latest in fishing. Pro or novice or in between – you don’t want to miss this impressive show.And you really don’t want to head out fishing until you have had time to peruse the tips and trends from pro angler Zeke Gossett for January and February on Logan Martin and Neely Henry. He’ll tell you where to fish when and what lure to use to ensure you catch the big one. The feature is called Catchin’ the Coosa, and Zeke usually does!
Like history? You’ll love our Remember When piece on relics of the past revealing the importance of the Coosa River to the storied history of Ten Islands, Fort Strother and Janney Furnace. Or how about a look inside Museum of Pell City opening soon. It’s been years in the making, blending state and local history through stunning displays and programs for the community to treasure for a long time to come. We know Halloween has passed us, but people around these parts are still talking about the highly successful inaugural Boo Bash – pier-to-pier trick or treating on Logan Martin – and they’re already planning the next one.
Looking for a festive February? Downtown Gadsden has its gigantic taste test to see who makes the best chili in its Annual Chili Cookoff. Come join in the fun on the first Saturday in February at noon – just in time for lunch.
It’s all here and more in this edition of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®. Turn the page and discover it all with us.
Story by Scottie Vickery Photos by Mackenzie Free Submitted Photos
Everything in Amy and Derrick Heckman’s Ashville home tells a story.
The handrail going up the steps was original to the Teague Mercantile building on the town square and was hand-hewn from longleaf pine before the Civil War. A cabinet is filled with family quilts made by Amy’s great-grandmother and her sisters. There’s a snapping turtle shell that held a place of honor in Derrick’s family’s lake cabin in Texas, and the collapsible cup her great-grandfather took into the coal mines will always have a special place in Amy’s heart.
“Everything in this house has some special meaning,” Amy said. “It may not have a lot of value, but it’s all precious to us.”
Amy and Derrick said turning the abandoned log cabin into their dream home has been a labor of love.
The Heckmans share a love for making old things new again, and the log cabin they bought on Neely Henry Lake’s Canoe Creek is no exception. It’s been a work in progress for years, but both say it’s been well worth the time and elbow grease they’ve invested. “It’s been one project after another, but it’s been a labor of love,” Amy said.
Their appreciation of family and Ashville history is evident all over the 2-bedroom, 2-bath cabin, and the kitchen and dining room areas are no exception. A 1940s Chambers stove from Derrick’s grandparents’ house takes center stage in the kitchen, and they use it every day. A collection of cast iron skillets from Amy’s great-grandmother and other family members hangs nearby.
They rescued the kitchen table from a nearby old dogtrot house that was slated for demolition and took the piece to a carwash in an effort to pressure wash motor oil stains off before finishing the table with linseed oil. An antique dough bowl filled with rolling pins passed down through the generations rests on top, and a light fixture they made from an old ladder, party lights and muscadine and supplejack vines from the yard, hangs above it.
“We’ve both lived a simplistic lifestyle, whether by choice or circumstance,” Derrick said. “When I was growing up if you needed something, you built it. We try to find old stuff and fix it.”
Cabin sweet cabin
The Heckmans had been house-hunting for about seven years when they stumbled across the log cabin, tucked at the end of a quiet street off Highway 411. They already had a home on Canoe Creek but they wanted more house, less land and deeper water so they could build a boathouse.
When they found the cabin, it was clear that no one had lived there for a while. They were intrigued, so they left a note on the door for the owner. A month later, the phone rang. “It was basically a home to animals,” Amy said. “There were all kinds of wildlife living in it, but it had good bones, and we saw what it could be. We’ve just about gotten it to that place.”
It’s taken a lot of work. They salvaged the kitchen and dining room floors and a claw foot tub, “but other than that, we redid everything,” she said, adding that they first saw the house and property they’ve named Canoe Cove in 2014, bought it in 2015 and moved there in 2017. “It took us that long to get it to where we could live in it. The general footprint is the same, but there is not a piece of that house that was not changed in some way.”
The first thing on the agenda was building a stone fireplace. “When we first bought the house, the very first thing we said to each other was, ‘How can you have a log cabin without a fireplace?’ There was a wood stove, but no fireplace,” she said.
Derrick’s grandfather knew a good bit about construction, so he had learned a lot about building growing up, and a friend taught him to lay the rock. “I’ve learned skills by watching people and just doing it,” he said. “When I was a kid, I could come up with an idea to build something. Sometimes it was by trial and error, but eventually I came up with something that worked.”
Those skills came in handy for their biggest project – building an outdoor pavilion, complete with an outdoor kitchen and a ‘Cracker Barrel fireplace.’ “She kept telling me all she wanted was a Cracker Barrel fireplace, so I went (into the restaurant) with a tape measure,” he said.
They built the pavilion from lumber they milled on the property – the lot was so wooded you couldn’t see the water. Derrick also used the lumber to build the 14-foot table and four Adirondack chairs, as well as the boathouse they added in 2020.
Two cooks, two kitchens
His pride and joy, though, is the outdoor kitchen, complete with a smoker that can handle 30 butts, a deep fryer, grill and flat top.
“We both like cooking, but he’s a natural cook,” Amy said. “There’s no recipe ever followed; no measuring involved. I’m just the opposite.” They often share the cooking duties, Derrick said, and they each take a kitchen. “She cooks the indoor part of the meal, and I cook the outdoor part,” he said and laughed. “I cook anything that might stink up the house. Amy likes pumpkin spice and if it doesn’t smell like pumpkin spice in here, she ain’t happy.”
They use this 1940s Chambers stove from Derrick’s grandparents’ house every day.
Although Amy has been known to find ideas online, it’s no surprise that they also use a lot of recipes handed down from family members. She uses a 1950s cookie press to make her grandmother’s cheese straws, and her spaghetti sauce is a favorite. “It’s very good, but it still never tastes as good as I remember hers being,” Amy said.
They love cooking for family and friends, and as a result, their house is a gathering spot during the holidays. At Thanksgiving, they usually have 12 to 16 guests, and Derrick smokes a turkey while Amy handles many of the sides. “I’ve promised Amy a freight elevator to make it easier to haul stuff inside and out for meals,” Derrick said.
Although it’s usually warm enough at Thanksgiving to eat under the pavilion, there was one memorable year when they ate inside. “We were all sitting at the table, and we looked out the window and there were 20 turkeys standing out in the front yard looking at us while we ate our Thanksgiving turkey,” Derrick said. “It was crazy.”
Much of what they cook is what they’ve grown, caught or hunted. “You don’t have to go far around here to find something to eat,” Derrick said. “If it’s not in the garden, it’s at the boathouse. We’re pretty self-sufficient.”
Their freezer is full of fish, which they enjoy grilled, fried and blackened, as well as venison. “I haven’t bought red meat in 15 years,” Amy said. “Derrick is known for his (venison) burgers. They’re delicious.”
The gardens – there are several – are another source of sustenance. “I grew up gardening; it came naturally to me,” Derrick said. “And Amy loves canning, so we make a good pair.”
Thanks to their teamwork, they enjoy a variety of homegrown fruits and vegetables throughout the year. In addition to blueberries and blackberries, their bounty includes figs, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, squash, strawberries, pumpkin, black-eyed peas, watermelon and purple pole beans. “Everything we have around here, we use,” Amy said.
Leaving the rat race early
So, when do they have time to do it all? It’s been a lot easier since they retired. Derrick retired from the Alabama Forestry Commission in 2017 at age 49, and Amy left the St. Clair County Probate Office in 2019 when she was 47.
“When I was a kid and started working, the first thing my parents told me was if you save 20 or 25 cents out of every dollar you make, you can retire at 50,” Derrick said. “I wasn’t rebellious; I was one of those people who believed my parents. When you start early, you learn to live off that 80 cents and you don’t miss the other 20.”
Amy followed suit not long after they began dating in 2007, and early retirement has given them the freedom to work on the house, tend their gardens, enjoy their time on the lake and indulge their love of of Americana.
“We go picking,” Amy said. “We love collecting things, and it all seems to find a place.” They didn’t have to go far to find many of their treasures. The mantle on the pavilion fireplace was a central beam from under the old Cason-Tipton House, for example, and several finds came from historic buildings they have owned.
In addition to the handrail from Teague Mercantile, a building they owned for about 15 years before selling it earlier this year, the Heckmans salvaged a wood stove from the original Ashville Savings Bank that they owned for a while, as well. It has a place of honor in the loft, which is home to Amy’s library.
“I’m a huge reader, and I asked for my own library,” she said. “I wanted a place for my books. It just makes me happy to come up here.”
The same can be said for the house as a whole. Amy and Derrick love knowing they created their home, filled with memories from generations of love, together. “We wanted it to be cozy and comfortable, but we wanted it to have character, as well,” she said. “A lot of things we have belonged to family, and we wouldn’t trade anything for it. We’d both rather have something old than new any day.”
Blackened Catfish
Large catfish filets (Use filets from 2- or 3-pound catfish. Caught fresh is best!)
Fire-n-Smoke Fish Monger seasoning
Zatarain’s ground cayenne pepper
Olive oil or Pam spray
Pepper jelly
Rinse filets with water. Lightly sprinkle with Fish Monger seasoning and cayenne pepper (lightly, the pepper is powerful.)
Let marinate in refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Heat a cast iron skillet or flat top on high. Lightly sprinkle filets with olive oil or Pam spray. Lay filets in skillet or on flat top and cover with a lid. (This is crucial. I use a pot lid.)
Brown until golden; it usually has blackened edges. (This takes practice.) Serve on a bed of shrimp and grits, rice, etouffee or jambalaya. Drizzle with pepper jelly to finish. Enjoy!
Blueberry Pecan Sour Cream Cake
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup plus over-filled ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
2 cups blueberries
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ cup pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt pan.
In mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to batter until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Spoon half the batter into pan.
Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle ½ mixture over batter. Spoon remaining batter on top and then sprinkle remaining pecan mixture.
Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes. (Cooking times may vary depending on oven.)
Shrimp and Grits
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked quick cook grits
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tbsp butter
2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp parsley
6 green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Bring broth to boil. Stir in grits. Cook, stirring occasionally 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in salt and next 3 ingredients. Set aside and keep warm.
Cook bacon and remove from pan. Cook shrimp in same pan 3 minutes or until almost pink. Add lemon juice and next four ingredients and cook 3 minutes. Stir in crumbled bacon.
Spoon grits onto plate or bowl and top with shrimp mixture.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
3 cups fresh, frozen or canned corn kernels
2 cans black beans, drained
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cumin
1 cup diced fresh or canned tomatoes
½ cup red onion
1 jalapeño
3 tbsp lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Cook corn in skillet until slightly charred. Add salt and cumin.
Combine remaining ingredients, add corn, stir and enjoy!
Summer 2022 garnered much interest for Neely Henry Lake, with a full house of supportive participants hitting the water for Neely Henry Lake Association’s Poker Run. While boaters soaked in the sun and crossed their fingers for a royal flush, the event served as an exceptionally successful fundraiser for local and neighboring communities.
Grabbing a playing card
Original founding NHLA board member and officer Hap Bryant inspired the poker run, designing the idea from his past as a motorcycle rider. Bryant and his fellow bikers often participated in poker runs – racing to designated stops and collecting cards along the way – with the hopes of ending the route with a winning hand.
While Bryant never dissuaded a victory, he expressed that the true joy the event produced came from the camaraderie he and the other bike-enthusiasts shared. Although Bryant himself has since passed away, the NHLA’s own poker run channeled his joviality into planning its event, dedicating the fundraiser in his memory.
The poker run mirrored Bryant’s bike design, replacing motorcycles with boats. NHLA’s event committee – alongside board members Randy Elrod, Stace Beecham and Hugh Stump, led the effort. They established five points up and down Neely Henry Lake, positioning greeters at each stop to give boaters the opportunity to select a card.
The race was not timed, with the mentality that boaters could leisurely cruise from one point to another, enjoying a peaceful and fun day on the lake.
“We strive to communicate to the public how important our lake is – environmentally and economically,” said NHLA President Dave Tumlin, describing how the poker run reinforced the association’s mission. “Our mission is to preserve, protect and improve life on the Coosa River. With such a great turnout, I learned how much our communities love and appreciate our lake, and how in working as a team, we can help introduce even more people to the joy and pleasure of spending time on a clean and safe lake.”
Over 150 dedicated members and families, who all share a common focus to protect and preserve the natural asset in Neely Henry Lake and surrounding waterways, comprise NHLA’s membership.
On a mission
The organization sponsors and co-sponsors several local projects throughout the year. The poker run supported the association’s Annual Christmas Boat Parade, an event it created and a collaborative effort with Downtown Gadsden, Inc. It integrates the parade with First Friday and the city’s tree lighting.
The association also coordinates with Southside and Rainbow City to promote parades for both municipalities, generating more and more spectators each year, gathering crowds looking forward to the countless twinkling lights, music and holiday festivities.
Most recently, the association partnered with Rainbow City and Southside to debut “Dinner and a Movie” at the new Southside marina, which supported Southside Elementary School. Families flocked to the waterfront property, with 800 attendees – both on land and boat – grabbing snacks from local food vendors as they watched the iconic classic, Jaws.
Studying the course
“At our bimonthly meetings, we have expert speakers that help communicate various subjects, including environmental importance, safety and history of the lake,” said Tumlin, discussing the significance of supporting these projects. “Recent speakers have talked on a major fish study going on, with changes to shoreline construction rules and other similar topics. Three years ago, with support from Greater Gadsden Area Tourism, we had Jacksonville State University complete an economic impact study of Neely Henry Lake on Etowah County. The results were startling. The study found that Neely Henry Lake had annual economic activity of $523,731,618 to Etowah County! If you add in Calhoun and St. Clair counties, the annual activity number is $570,663,991!”
The association partners with Alabama Power each year to build and deploy fish habitats in various locations on the lake, while supporting the Renew Our Rivers project alongside frequent educational programs geared toward improving the quality and appreciation of the lake.
In October, in collaboration with Alabama Power, the association will build 100 “spider blocks,” long-lasting structures that attract bait and game fish, to promote the sport at a world-class level. Though in years past the structures were deployed out of Rainbow City Landing and River Rocks Landing, this year, the association will build out of Greensport Marina on Neely Henry’s St. Clair side.
While the association commits itself to treasuring the enrichment and value the lake and local waterways generates for its community, opportunities such as the poker run arise as an outlet of support to fulfill its mission. It’s a purpose that those affiliated with the association strive to preserve, not only for themselves, but for the future of the beloved place they call home.
“Our team is fully committed to the future of Neely Henry Lake,” said Tumlin. “We hope that the actions we take, be it education on the environment, improving the quality of water and habitat or helping us all to better appreciate our lake, will allow our kids and grandkids to enjoy this magnificent natural asset for many decades to come.”
Volunteering for Alabama paddle race gives writer chance to be eye witness
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Rheagan Fann, Steve Edsall and Max Jolley
I was struck by the tenacity and grit of the paddlers. I saw these athletes, pushed to the brink of exhaustion and delirium, stumble from the water into the care of their ground crew.
Then a quick nap and meal later, I saw them, sunburned and blistered, but with a renewed determination, climb back into these vessels and face the water again. These men and women were paddling the Great Alabama 650.
When the call came out for volunteers to assist with this race, my interest was piqued. I live here, love the lake and enjoy kayaking. So how could it get any better than getting to support the Great Alabama 650 as the paddlers glide through the waters of Logan Martin Lake? So I signed up, but that’s just the beginning of my love story.
I loved learning the history of the race, but perhaps more importantly, the way it affords the local community a chance to participate, either by volunteering or by cheering on the racers from the shores.
Salli O’Donnell smiles as she completes the Logan Martin portion of the race
Touted as the longest annual paddle race in the world, its 650 miles span the length of the state from Weiss Lake to Ft. Morgan in Mobile Bay.
I learned that it was conceived by the Alabama Scenic River Trails system as a way to promote the state’s navigable waterways. In its fourth year, the 2022 field was full at 20 boats, but only 11 started due to injuries and issues with Hurricane Ian.
One of the tandem teams had to drop out at Logan Martin Dam due to injuries. Their ground crew shared that it was a tough decision whether to continue or not. Ultimately, the injuries won out, and the kayak stayed atop the carrier until the team headed home. In that moment, though I didn’t even know this team, I felt their overwhelming disappointment.
I witnessed loving mothers, fathers and husbands crewing for their paddlers.
Tempers flared in moments of extreme stress and frustration. To be clear, the paddler is not the only one who is sleep-deprived. Their ground support crew does everything for the racer once they’re off the water. The crew may get some brief naps while the paddler is napping and after they’ve launched again, but they also must follow by land to meet them at the next stop.
A perfectly rehearsed ground-crew operation is a wonder to behold. I watched as a paddler reached shore at the takeout point and, out of nowhere, a crew that would rival a Talladega pit crew descended on the kayak. With barely a word, they went to work, each doing their own job efficiently.
Expertly assessing their racer’s physical status and fatigue level, they met the most urgent needs first, allowing the paddler to decompress so the mind and body could reset for the next leg of the race.
One of the first people I met when I started my 13-hour shift was Mirko Prufer, who flew in from Germany to crew for Frances Hiscox. He was taking down the tent she had used for her brief rest time when I had a moment to talk to him.
I was interested to learn that their roles were reversed from last year when she served as his ground crew. So, he took vacation time to do the same for her this year, adding that immersion in the culture is his favorite way to vacation. As he washed her race shirt in the lake, he shared his plans to kayak in a different race before heading back to Germany.
Volunteers help paddlers help move boats from water to portage vehicles
From the moment I put on my official T-shirt and became a “yellow shirt” volunteer, I was taken by the perseverance and dedication of the paddlers and ground crew, but also by the enthusiasm of the race staff and volunteers.
While there were many busy times for me as a volunteer, there were also many hours of getting to know my portage chief, Max Jolley. Max has been serving since the inception of the Alabama 650 race in 2019.
Race director Greg Wingo describes him as a “great guy,” adding that Max has the portage process down to a science. I would have to agree. He made the process of learning the ropes easy on a new volunteer.
Quick with a story, Max told me his favorite part of the experience was hearing the stories from paddlers and their ground crews. I wholeheartedly agree. Time sitting with Randi Evans (Ryan Gillikan’s mom) and Bryant Taylor (Gayle Taylor’s husband) around the table in the park after dark sharing family stories and kayaking adventures was a highlight for me as well.
Combining my love of kayaking, community, people and writing made my experience with the Great Alabama 650 a big win for me. And, yes, I will be back next year.
Does anyone know a good pet sitter? Can anyone send me a picture of the water level on Treadwell Island? Are there alligators in Logan Martin?
When people want answers to these and so many other questions on and around Logan Martin Lake, often they turn to their phones and computers. Just a quick search or post on Love Logan Martin Lake Facebook group and an answer is just moments away.
Want to know where to get fresh blueberries? Need a reference from someone who has had a good experience with an area plumber? Or maybe you want to let everyone know about a great band playing next weekend on the lake. Get it out there to the community in a few easy clicks.
The faces behind connecting the lake community – from left, Priscilla Willingham, Rebel Negley, Carol Cosper Meadows, David Smith
With more than 14,000 members, the Facebook page keeps three administrators busy checking out 10 to 20 posts a day from people wanting to share on the social media site. Even more time is spent checking out potential members to be sure they are somehow connected to the lake.
“We try to keep it classy, keep it informative and keep it relevant,” says page creator and administrator Rebel Negley. They do not allow political posts, spam, business advertising or profanity. “I would say 99% of the time they follow the rules,” she adds. “If we consistently see a problem, we add a rule. We just want it to be a place where you can find peace. While we don’t allow businesses themselves to post, it’s fine to get recommendations from people who have used those particular services.”
What they do is connect people around the Logan Martin Lake community. Having grown up coming to the lake, she has a deep love for it and all that it means to the community. Negley admits that many of the posts are pretty simple – people looking for restaurants on the lake or wanting to know the time of the holiday fireworks.
The greater purpose is to develop relationships with others who love Logan Martin. “We like it to be like family,” says Negley. “There have been times when we’ve heard about deaths within the families in the group. Or the time we had a family who had a house fire. They were pretty much taken care of by the community through the information received and disseminated on our page.”
Regatta – David Smith
Negley has lived on Coosa Island for 20 years, the last 17 with her husband, Michael. Her daughter and grandchildren live in Louisville, Ky.
She credits the members with the growth of the group. “The people have made the group, not me,” she says. “They are so willing to interact with others and so willing to share their pictures or their help.”
People who have houses on the lake but don’t live on Logan Martin full time often post asking how the lake levels look during storms. Before and after floods, people look out for others’ homes and property by posting pictures of found items and of potentially dangerous conditions.
“During weather emergencies in particular, I think people rely on crowdsourcing through our site,” says Negley, adding that it helps to have people post pictures if a homeowner is not able to see the situation firsthand.
“I get comments all the time asking to thank the people who have helped others on the lake,” says Negley. “It’s one of my favorite parts of doing this. It’s a testament to how generous and hospitable our residents are.”
There are two other administrators who help with the job of managing the private Facebook group. Each one spends many hours a month reviewing posts to ensure they are relevant and appropriate.
Carol Meadows began helping after Negley had a heart attack a few years ago. David Smith helped for several years but has since gotten busy with other interests. Later, Priscilla Willingham jumped in to help.
Group experts Tim Badgwell and Carl Wallace help out in answering questions on a variety of subjects. A map Wallace created is pinned to the page so that newcomers to the lake can easily find landmarks. Wallace also contributes by updating people about flood concerns and about the higher winter lake level beginning this year.
It’s the place to go when you need lake information or want to share something going on around the lake. Member Kelli Lasseter used the platform to start a thread this fall that resulted in a pier-to-pier trick or treating event for community children.
Over the last two years, there have been many posts about the Christmas boat parade that a local couple started. This year, that family will not be able to participate, so the buzz on the site is that with the higher winter water levels, other boat owners will be making sure the Christmas boat parade goes on. Activities like these create a positive buzz about the lake, its community and its people – all parts of the goal of the Love Logan Martin Lake group.
Many posts each day are simply sharing the beauty of the lake. One post is a series of sunset photos for others “in case you missed it.” Another post announces, “These sunsets at Logan Martin never get old.”
There’s even a cover photo contest where members can submit photos to be used as the group’s cover photo for a month. They must be original photographs from the person submitting, in a horizontal format and posted as a comment under the monthly photo contest post.
“Connecting as a community is important,” emphasizes Negley. “We’re a lake family. We love the water and are connected by it. It’s a great way to get the lake community information out there and to be unified toward a cause.”
That question about alligators in Logan Martin Lake is a favorite for Negley, who adds, “We’ve gone round and round with that one. I’ve looked and looked and still haven’t found any. But that topic comes up every year.”
That’s not to say alligators couldn’t be on the lake, though. A definitive answer comes from Marianne Gauldin of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Fisheries, who states, “Although they are more numerous in the southern half of the state, they should be expected in any lake or river. Logan Martin Lake provides suitable alligator habitat and would not be unusual for an alligator to be seen there.”
