Sounds of a different sort fill downtown Gadsden streets these days.
The clip clop, clip clop of horseshoes against pavement, lend a staccato hoofbeat keeping a brisk pace this winter’s day.
Wheels on the jaunty orange-fringed carriage provide tickety-tick clicks on the hard surface. An occasional neigh and a whinny are appropriate sounds to take this scene straight to what could be another era.
It’s a scene that brings a smile to Gadsden businessman and former state Rep. Mack Butler’s face. He is the mover and shaker behind Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours, an idea which he says came to him as he toured other cities.
“In our travels, we love to visit historic cities, and we always take carriage rides if they’re available because you get such a unique perspective of the city, the ambience and the history. It’s just a passion of mine.”
He figured Gadsden would be a “perfect” city to offer such an attraction. “Here, we’ve got this unique history. We live in this beautiful historical town.”
Gadsden began in the 1840s as a stagecoach stop called Double Springs.
“Life was along the river. So, I kept reaching out to other people to try to get them to start this,” said Butler. “I kept on trying to get somebody else to do it.”
When there were no takers, Butler decided to take on the project himself. He reached out to friends, Emery and Emily Williamson, who run an animal farm in Cherokee County called Feathered Friends Cockatoo and Horse Sanctuary.
He asked if they would be interested in partnering with him and according to Butler, “they jumped at the chance. They have about 50 or 60 horses and know how to handle them. So, that’s how we got rolling. “
Butler is renovating a downtown building which he says is a perfect place to park carriages. “The Williamsons can trailer their horses here, hook them up, and we’re ready to tour.”
Perhaps the stars of the show are the four-legged critters who are often the main attraction, especially when children are passengers — Mr. Smack and Miss Betty.
“Mr. Smack is a horse from Amish country and Miss Betty is a mule,” he said.
They alternate pulling the carriage though Mr. Smack goes on most tours.
The carriage tour follows a route along Chestnut, Broad and Locust streets.
“We’ve done history tours and the carriage tours (and most recently Christmas tours), but the thing we get the most requests for is the ghost tour,” said Butler. “We pick you up and take you to as many spots as we can in 30 minutes, and we tell you the haunted history of Gadsden. We take you to what was originally the county jail and of course, there was the first execution there. That gentleman is rumored to haunt the building.”
Butler said the site of a Confederate hospital and cemetery are also on the tour. “The cemetery is said to be very haunted.”
Another stop, the Phoenix Hotel, was supposed to have been the site of “a grisly murder. I’ve had people tell me about the ghost they see there. We have a number of stops like that.”
There’s one building on the tour, he continued, that back in the 1800s used to be a hotel. Another, a house of ill repute and across the street was the medical clinic where they took care of the ladies of the evening.
“We have a very colorful past,” he added, “which makes for a great ghost tour as we offer these rides.”
Ghost Tour of Downtown Gadsden on Historic Gadsden Carriage Tours
Butler says he personally has never actually seen a ghost, “but I have talked to a number of people here in town that are well respected. They tell me they have actually seen ghosts in some of these buildings.”
According to Butler, the carriage rides complement what is already going on in downtown Gadsden. “We’re in total transformation now as the new administration (Mayor Craig Ford) is focusing on all the positive attributes we have that have not been utilized. There’s talk of creating green space and a new river walk. I’ve never before seen the spirit of cooperation we have right now between city and county and state. Everybody is holding hands and pushing in the same direction.”
Gadsden Economic Development Director John Moore agrees, saying the city is moving toward becoming “a destination spot, where visitors come to stay for a long weekend. That’s what we’re working on. The Falls (Noccalula Falls) gets 350 to 400 thousand visitors a year. We want to bring those visitors downtown. So, when people leave the Falls, they come right to the downtown area. They grab a a drink. They go out to eat. They shop at downtown shops on Broad Street, and then they go out and utilize the riverfront development,” which he said will include a boutique hotel.
“We’ve got amazing hiking trails. We’ve got rock climbing. We’ve got mountain biking, pretty much anything you want when it comes to outdoor enthusiasts,” Moore said. “So, I think you’re going to be seeing more people coming to Gadsden to enjoy those types of things, and the carriage rides are just something that’s going to entice more people to come into downtown.
“The Mayor and I did the carriage ride for Halloween. To go through Gadsden and get told some ghost stories and some stories of the different buildings in the city was pretty cool. They also had a Headless Horseman that chased you down Chestnut Street. I thought that was great,” Moore said.
“We never did see a ghost,” he laughed, “but I think you might see one next year. They’ve got some plans coming up.”
Plans call not only for the ghost tour, but across the board. According to Butler, “Looking to the future, we’re thinking maybe about Valentine’s and Valentine tours. Or a tour where we shuttle you out to dinner. Or maybe tours associated with prom season.”
The number of carriages and horses they have “is still to be determined based on demand. Of course, we’ll be willing to step up our game if the demand is there. Right now, it’s just a community that’s been booking the tours but down the road, with the new hotel and its rooftop bar and all kinds of neat stuff, I see Gadsden becoming like a Franklin,Tennessee, a town where they have festivals all the time and a lot of trendy shops and eateries.”
Editor’s Note: Tours are all weather dependent. Cost is $25 per person for a 30-minute ride. The carriages hold four people.
On a misty Saturday morning, just after daylight tried its hardest to peek through a solidly overcast sky, Lakeside Park was just awakening.
The gates opened, and volunteers scurried about, preparing for the big event. Tents went up. Swag bags, Tshirts, runner bibs and a host of ‘must haves’ for a 5K run were readied. Sound system? Check. Runner check-in apps? Downloaded. Volunteers in their positions? Ready.
And they’re off!
And at 8 a.m. on Dec. 9, runners from throughout the region took off to make history in the inaugural Pell City Rotary 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk to benefit the St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch.
From the starting point to the finish line, the event evolved as a true success story, raising over $50,000 to help build a new home at the Boys Ranch and bringing a community together for a common cause. Santa was there, much to the delight of smaller runners, walkers and spectators, and the event is well on its way to becoming a Christmas tradition for Pell City Rotary Club, a leading civic service organization.
“Since I became president of the Pell City Rotary Club, it has been my goal to lead the club in serving the community,” said Serge Brazzolotto. “I wanted to create a new event that would be close to Christmas and that would involve the entire family from infants to grandparents.” A 5K run/1-mile fun walk was a perfect fit.
After hearing a presentation from Michael Smith, the executive director of the Sherrif’s Boys Ranch, about the need for a new house to be built, “I talked to our Board of Directors and Service Club Committee Chair Bill Ellison about the idea, and everyone said, “let’s go for it,” Brazzolotto said.
“Our only problem was that none of us had experience to prepare for such an event,” he added. “I told myself a few times, ‘don’t fool yourself, it won’t happen.’ We had only three months to get all this done.”
Ellison put a 5K team together, and they were – pardon the pun – off to the races. “That team worked tirelessly for three months, day and night, even weekends to get everything together, to get sponsors, social media advertisement and registration and much more,” Brazzolotto said.
Performing the Star Spangled Banner
The team – Gay Blackwell, Kelly Furgerson, Melanie Housh, Kathy Burke, Jaxon Phillips and Casey Cambron –were determined to not only meet the goal, but exceed it. And they did. Because of the effort of all involved, he said, the Boys Ranch will now be able to build its third home for youths.
“Teamwork makes the dreams work,” Ellison said. “I picked people with unique and diversified talent to serve on the 5K committee. They all showed strength, wisdom, courage, commitment, passion and focus throughout the planning, fundraising and day of the event.”
Brazzolotto agreed. “I don’t have the words to thank all who have made this event possible and be such a success – the Rotary 5 K team, the Rotary Club members, the sheriff’s department, the police department, the fire department, Pell City Park and Recreation, Partners by Design, The City of Pell City, all the participants and especially, all who have made donations and sponsored this event and fundraising.”
It was all done in service to the community, in keeping with its motto, “Service Above Self.”
“All Pell City Rotary members enjoy giving back through community service to the community that has been so good to them,” Ellison said. “We’re already planning for next year.”
Though the weather is still cold outside, it is already time to start thinking about the lake season across Alabama. Boat manufacturers are already starting to promote their most popular models, and local marinas and dealers have stepped up to showcase exactly what we can expect to see for sale in the coming months.
Falcon F215 Bassboat
The F215 has been redesigned for the 2024 year with specific attention paid to the width of the bow area, and Buck’s Island will be the only dealer in the region selling the new model. The F215 is truly a dream to fish out of. Featuring some of the largest overall deck space in the industry, the F215 will allow you and a partner to fish in space and make your co-angler smile all day. Like their other models, the F215 features Falcon’s signature forward-opening front rod boxes with an ample front storage separated by two lids. The ride and overall comfort of this boat is second to none, with plenty of performance to get you there in comfort.
Barletta Lusso
One of the top-tier pontoon boats from Lusso, the Barletta brings it all to the water – luxury, speed, comfort and fun. 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. And with a variety of deck layouts, you can find the perfect boat for you. Rambo Marine in Westover can help you pick out the Lusso model – and other Barletta boats – to fit your needs.
Bass Cat Caracal STS
In line with the growing trend in wide-body bass boats, Bass Cat has stepped up their game with the Caracal STS. They employed a wide-body flow of the existing Caracal while stretching the platform into the newest STS (Soft Touch Series) hull design. What you now have is a 96-inch-wide machine, redesigned inside and out, destined to overachieve in all aspects when compared to other 20-foot bass boats in this class. The model name stretches back decades, and this one in particular will leave a profound mark in the Caracal lineage. Like the Falcon, you can find the Bass Cat at Buck’s Island.
Excel Bay Pro Elite 220
In the fishing world, center-console boats hold a special place, and Excel Boats offers exceptional boats, especially in the Bay Pro lineup. The Pro Elite has the widest deck in their lineup. From top to bottom, customers pick Excel because they pay attention to detail. Every detail, from paint quality, welds, heavy-duty seat vinyl, fiberglass console, non-slip floor and more are what you would expect from an Excel. The all-new console has everything and it is where it should be. The dash will accommodate up to a 12-inch fish finder/nav unit. It has room for a 3-inch Bluetooth radio and extra accessory switches, and the new compact gauge set is arranged perfectly. Rodney’s Marine in Cropwell is the place to go to grab one of these fantastic fishing boats.
Nitro Z20 Pro
The NITRO Z20 Pro gives you a host of the most popular high-performance upgrade options at an incredible value. The brain of this fish-catching powerhouse is two new Lowrance HDS LIVE fishfinders networked together—and to a new Lowrance Ghost trolling motor, giving you the power to find fish and stay on them while the competition is still searching.
The basis of the Z20 is Nitro’s NVT hull—a design that uses a series of parabolic curves instead of traditional strakes, resulting in a hull that’s faster, gives more lift while on plane and improves handling. The Z-CORE seating system with Force Flex suspension and contoured frame, designed in collaboration with Kevin VanDam, gives you the most comfortable ride in Nitro’s history. To check out the Z20 Pro, visit Sylacauga Marine & ATV.
Tahoe T21
Another great boat at Sylacauga Marine is the Tahoe T21. A classic multi-use bowrider, this boat promises loads of fun on the lake. Step into the Tahoe T21 and be amazed. Feel the stability, the power, the smooth coursing of its POWERGLIDE hull with HYDROSTEP strakes as you and up to 10 companions fly across the waves. Note the operational ease and efficiency of its TAHOE CRUISE digital dashboard and switch panel; crank up the KICKER stereo with Bluetooth technology. Need some splash time? Tahoe has got you covered, with a removable ski tow pylon, anchor locker, aft swim platforms and telescoping boarding ladder. And of course, you’ll find smart storage galore.
Sylvan X3 CLZ DH
Combining comfort and handling, the Sylvan Mirage line of pontoon boats is a great option if flexibility is what you are looking for. Featured at Skier’s Marine in Westover, the X3 CLZ DH, this pontoon is a great buy. With its long list of standard features – including Sylvan’s exclusive SPX PR20/25 Performance Package, Performance Shield, low-profile sport console, black anodized rails and deck trim, hydraulic steering, docking lights, a third tube and more – the Mirage X Series is one of the most family-friendly options on the water.
Sunchaser Eclipse
Featuring some of the more affordable pontoons on the market, Sunchaser gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Its plush interior, upgraded upholstery and executive helm station elevated on a raised platform for an enhanced sightline are only the beginning of what set 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. For the latest from Sunchaser, visit University Marine in Pell City.
Starcraft SLS
Another great pontoon boat for the value is the Starcraft SLS series. Starcraft pontoon boat innovation continues with the SLS, featuring HMX tubes. With strategically placed strakes, HMX tubes give you better lift, less surface drag, increased speed, faster planing and a tighter turning radius. In short, it’s one exciting ride. Like most of the pontoon platforms these days, the SLS comes in a number of different seating and floor plans. To find the perfect fit for you, check out the Starcraft SLS at Rodney’s Marine in Cropwell.
Yamaha AR Series
If you are looking for boats tailored to the wakeboarding and other tow-behind excitement, Yamaha put together some great packages with its AR series of boats. Available in several different lengths, the Yamaha AR’s have a distinctive styling that will stand out on the water and have a number of affordable setups that won’t break the bank. They come with additional storage and other features that make these wake boats much more versatile than many similar tow-oriented watercraft. Rambo Marine has a variety of AR series boats ready for customers to come see.
Mastercraft XT23
One of the biggest names in tow-behind boats, Mastercraft does not disappoint with its XT23. Another boat featured at Skier’s Marine, the Mastercraft XT23 is a 23’4”-long bowrider with a beam of 8.5 feet. It can seat 16 people and has a draft of 0.76 meters. The XT23 can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. MasterCraft’s SurfStar system truly shines on the XT23 as it can pump out the friendliest waves for kids or deliver waves for pros with maximum height, pop, and length. Inside the boat, the XT23 boasts unrivaled ergonomic comfort, ample storage, and the renowned MasterCraft fit-and-finish.
Avalon Catalina
With a focus on style and a huge range of premium features, Avalon has created some truly remarkable boats with its Catalina line. The Catalina is a stylish and sophisticated mid–range offering that turns heads and quickens pulses. Its DNA includes the same construction, quality and style found in Avalon’s master collection boats; this model is equipped with core features and then can be personalized with as few or as many additional features as you like. This amazing pontoon is available in eleven different layouts. Poor House Branch Marina on Stemley Road in Talladega has a number of Catalinas in stock ready for customers.
Coach RFC
Coach Pontoons’ top seller is its RFC line, and for good reason. Billed as the SUV of the Coach lineup, the RFC pontoons are a solid combination of flexibility and performance. RFC layout maximizes seating and lounging with its perimeter furniture layout. This open layout is perfect for small and large groups. No one gets stuck in a corner seat and ample room for all your toys with underseat storage. Extended rear swim platform and easy-access stainless steel retractable ladder provide great rear access to and from the water, and the ski tow bar is designed for added strength for your watersports needs. You can find your RFC at Poor House Branch Marina.
Bennington 22 SSR
Bennington continues its tradition of creating striking pontoons with the 2024 22 SSR line of tritoons. The line comes with a large variety of design styles, including narrow beam widths. The Quad Bench configuration maximizes storage, seating capacity and lounge space. Many floor plans feature a sleek Fastback stern with speakers that extend your entertainment space. Features include options like bamboo vinyl flooring, stainless-steel-rimmed cup holders and custom gauge cluster designs with zebrawood accents. Visit Woods Surfside Marina in Cropwell to check out the new model year.
Bennington 24 LXSBA
If you are looking for a premium tritoon, the Bennington 24 LXSBA, also available at Woods Surfside, should top your list. There’s a timeless charm found within the LX Model boats, a blending of superb craftmanship, rugged build quality and premium finishes that are familiar, yet distinctly a cut-above. When you step up to the LX Model of boats from Bennington, you’re automatically enrolled into their premium features club: extras like the voyager helm with locking glove box and 12v and USB charging station, vinyl-wrapped bench bases and larger, bolder side Bennington emblems. And the swingback design, introduced several years ago, allows users to face forward or backward depending on the position of the backrest.
Honda BF350 Outboard
Regardless of what kind of boat you have on the water, matching the right engine to your watercraft is a must. New for this year from Honda is the powerful V8 BF350. University Marine is one of several regional dealers that specializes in Honda motors and points to the BF350 as a top contender. The all-new Honda BF350 V8 is truly a landmark achievement: Honda’s first-ever production V8 engine for use on either land or water. Designed to meet the needs of today’s families who want larger boats and the ability to journey farther from shore, the Honda BF350 was created to deliver maximum power with impressive fuel efficiency.
EZ Dock
With all the different varieties of personal watercraft on the market, EZ Dock has PWC storage solutions to fit them all. River’s Edge Marina in Cropwell, which also specializes in boat rentals and is home to the Tiki Hut, is one of the top local EZ Dock dealers in the region. Designed both for saltwater and freshwater applications, their PWC ports’ self-adjusting designs make loading and unloading effortless, no matter what type of waterfront on which your home or business is located. EZ Ports are the perfect solution for those looking for an easy-to-access, drive-on port to keep their PWC high and dry.
I love happy endings. New beginnings are even better. That’s the way I felt just before Christmas as I left the inaugural Pell City Rotary Jingle Bell 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk at Lakeside Park.
Rotarians had just closed the chapter on the first ever run, and yes, it was quite the happy ending – more than $50,000 raised to build a new home at the St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. But more than that, it was well on its way to beginning a new Christmas tradition around these parts – Rotary raising money for a good cause and putting on a spectacular family event all at the same time.
Carol A. Pappas, Editor and Publisher
As we head into this new year of ours, it is with that kind of hope and optimism about new beginnings that we encourage others to share as they, too, build better communities all around us.
In Lincoln, we see new life coming to Logan Martin Lake, drawing major fishing and now drag boat racing events to Lincoln’s Landing.
Gadsden continues to amaze us with all it has to offer – from downtown’s resurgence as a destination point thanks to efforts by Downtown Gadsden Inc., to the Venue at Coosa Landing’s draw for all kinds of popular shows and events, like the Fly Fishing Expo and the Alabama Fishing Show.
Now, horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district only add to the allure.
A new year also marks the beginning of a forward look to ‘lake season,’ and that means new boats with all the latest amenities. That’s why we designate January as our Boat Show Edition each year, giving our readers and water enthusiasts a sneak peek at the new year’s new beginnings on our lakes and what’s in store for 2024.
We’ve added docks and boathouses to the preview this year, giving our builders an opportunity to tell their own stories of life on the lake while giving lakeside homeowners a chance to plan their next project.
There’s an old saying about looking back before you can look forward, and that brings us to our historic piece, Remember When. In this edition, we talk with the folks at General Lee Marina, one of the first to make their livelihood on Logan Martin just after the lake was created.
The nostalgic look back gives us a sense of the community that treasure today – neighbors looking out for one another, sharing a common bond of a passion for the water in work and play.
And while you’re here, might as well try your luck at fishing. That’s where our champion bass pro angler Zeke Gossett comes in. From his vantage point, you’ll learn the tips and tricks of the trade for catching the Coosa.
It’s all here and more in this issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®. Turn the page and discover it all with us.
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Richard Rybka, David Smith, Joe Paul Abbott, Mike Callahan and Heath Lollar
If you live on or near Logan Martin Lake or Neely Henry, you know that both offer endless opportunities for breathtaking pictures. Whether you’re shooting a closeup of one of our hundreds of bird species, an awe-inspiring sunrise or yet another breathtaking sunset, we live in a place rich in photographic potential. Getting that perfect picture is an art form.
There are a few local photographers who have taken it a huge leap above for a different perspective. They have received acclaim for their photography in and around the lake and beyond. They are producing comprehensive coverage of sports programs. They are chasing storms to help forecast and cover weather events. They’re bringing smiles to our faces with a different perspective of those amazing sunrises and literal birds-eye views of our local wildlife. And they’re doing it from 400 feet in the air.
Pioneering drone photography
David Smith is a certified pilot and a professional drone operator. Because he was already a pilot, he was among the few who could fly a drone commercially before 2016, when the rules regarding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reevaluated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After that, extensive training was required to be a licensed drone operator, but not to the extent of full pilot certification.
Smith grew up loving radio-controlled planes and had been flying them since he was 15 years old. From RC planes, he graduated to the latest when drones became available beyond their military origins. The first mass-market drone was the DJI Phantom, hitting the market in 2013. “When drones were brand new, I knew I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to take photos and videos.” His DJI Mavic 3 Cine is just one of seven he currently owns.
Until very recently, Smith worked for ESPN’s College GameDay and Baseball Tonight on the Road as a drone videographer. He was the network’s first drone pilot, retiring just this fall. His drone footage added visual interest to the shots of the set and showed crowds of students at the highlighted university. He also shot additional footage around campus that the directors used before going to commercial breaks.
Smith’s impressive resume also includes serving as chief drone pilot for the 2020 World Games held in Birmingham. “It was a truly incredible experience,” says Smith. “My video was seen all over the world. As chief pilot, I was the only one flying live. Other pilots shot extra video to add to the live broadcast.”
That experience ended up leading to being a part of a search and rescue closer to home. On the way home from shooting some early footage for the World Games, he followed some first responders to the area of Logan Martin Dam. He had all his equipment in the car from the day’s work, so he offered to assist the New London Volunteer Fire Department in their search for a missing woman lost while canoeing.
“I put my drone into the area and flew around. I was able to locate her and to let them know where she was and that she was still alive,” Smith said. “The chief was amazed at how quickly she was located with the drone. They didn’t even have to put their rescue boat in the water.”
These days, Smith is enjoying time with his family. “I used to be gone most of football season,” he says smiling. “Now I have time to pursue some other things.” One thing that is bringing him joy is sharing the love of drone flying with his grandson, 11-year-old Calvin. “We fly almost daily. He’s kicking my … well, I can’t keep up with him.” (Editor’s Note: For more on Dave Smith, see sidebar.)
Taking photography to new heights: Mike Callahan
Mike Callahan says fun is what keeps him flying his drone. Every session he has with his drone is the best, he says. “I keep it under 400 feet, but at that height, what you see is from a totally new perspective,” says the Pell City native. He’d been a photographer for many years before deciding to add a drone to his options.
Mike Callahan
His specialty is nature shots like waterfalls, mountains and wildlife. He enjoys taking his DJI Mini3 Pro into the Talladega National Forest and around Logan Martin Lake. One of his favorite shots is an amazing up-close view of an eagle sitting in its nest.
“You have to be careful with drones around wildlife,” Callahan quickly adds. “I was attacked by an Osprey once and lost my drone. Ospreys are very aggressive.”
He takes that cautionary tale to heart in his work these days. There are guidelines for keeping safe and there are hard and fast rules dictated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specific to drone piloting under their Part 107 certification. Among those very strict requirements is that pilots cannot fly their drones above 400 feet and they cannot fly over people without a special waiver.
While flying, he is also required to always have his drone in his sight.
Flying over open water to capture beautiful sunrises and sunsets is the specialty of Joe Paul Abbott, another of Logan Martin’s drone photographers. His work is seen frequently on the Love Logan Martin Lake Facebook page. He gets up every day at 4:30 to be sure he gets his DJI Mavic Air 2S ready to start shooting from the back deck of his Cropwell home before the sun gets above the horizon. At other times, he’ll take the boat out and have the drone tracking him and grab action shots around the lake using his remote monitor.
A different perspective:Joe Paul Abbott
Joe Paul Abbott and his controller
Abbott picked up photography in the late ‘90s after the birth of his first son with the goal of learning to shoot better family photos. Eventually, he upgraded to digital format, but soon tired of that, too. “I’m a gadget guy,” he admits. “When drones came out, I couldn’t wait. My wife got me my first one.”
He’s been able to use his drone in his work as an independent insurance agent, recalling times when he needed to inspect a house for fire, storm or other damage, but was limited due to an aggressive dog or other challenge. On those occasions, he uses his drone to fly over those challenges.
“When I shoot from my drone, I become 400 feet tall with a wide-angle lens,” Abbott laughs. “You definitely see things up at that height you just don’t see from the ground.” Even local weatherman James Spann is a fan and has aired many of Abbott’s shots on the weather segment of the local news.
Eye on the storm:Heath Lollar
Severe weather is what drove professional storm chaser and drone pilot Heath Lollar into his business. The 2003 Pell City High School graduate was working in graphic design several years after graduation. A customer asked him to work on the design for a truck wrap. They worked together on a couple of jobs for the truck and started talking.
The customer was storm tracker and meteorologist Brett Adair, and the two began sharing their love of all things weather. Adair promised to take him storm chasing, and Lollar has been hooked ever since.
Lollar’s enthusiasm and natural abilities landed him a job as an in-truck videographer and mobile mechanic for Adair’s company, Live Storms Media. He worked with Adair for almost two years before sending a drone into a storm.
“People wondered if drones could handle the winds,” said Lollar. “Turns out, they can. We can take a drone up and look at the wind patterns in the trees. We can tilt it up and time lapse and focus on what the elements of the clouds are doing that we could never see from the ground.” He hasn’t lost a drone to the winds yet, but he knows a pilot who has already lost four drones doing storm work.
Heath pointing out a weather system
Just this year, on Jan. 12, Lollar captured drone video of his first tornado. “We were set up in Old Kingston, Alabama,” recalls Lollar. “That one was an EF3 that ripped an 82-mile path through Selma and Autauga County. It was bad. There were three fatalities where we were, but seven over the path of the storm.” He describes the video he took of trees twisting together and being sucked up into the air. “After we watched it cross the road, it started throwing trees, houses and cars across the field.”
Drones are essential tools for assessing the damage following a storm, but they can also be used to assist in early search and rescue efforts. Drone pilots can help find safe ways for emergency personnel to get to victims. The information that can be gathered during storms from the heights drones can go is invaluable to forecasters in alerting people to what the storm is doing and where it might go next.
Drones also give GPS placement of the storm and play a crucial role in assessing the accurate path the tornado took.
While Lollar enjoys working for the Emmy-nominated team at Live Storms Media, he doesn’t do it for the kudos. He is genuinely concerned for the people who face these storms and wants to do what he can to help.
When he is in town and there is a storm on Logan Martin Lake, where he lives, he immediately sends out his drone to take video to warn lake residents. You can see his posts on Facebook’s Love Logan Martin Lake page.
Lake life is indeed better thanks to our drone photographers who readily share their photographic finesse from 400 feet and below.
David Smith’s mantra to successful drone photography
Story by Roxann Edsall Photos by Richard Rybka and David Smith
Dave Smith doesn’t believe in chance, in fact, his favorite saying is “Nothing by chance.” A man of faith, he believes there is a far greater purpose for everything that happens. That’s why, when he was laid off from his job this fall, he took it in stride and chose to count his blessings and focus on the “ride of a lifetime” he has been on.
If you watch football, specifically College GameDay on ESPN, you’ve likely seen some of Dave Smith’s drone work. BamaDave, as he is known, tells of getting the call to help the show by setting up satellite equipment at Legion Field for the Alabama versus Tennessee game in 1995.
“That one weekend of work ended up working out so well that they asked me to stay on with them and travel all over doing the show as a videographer,” says Smith. “Lee Corso gave me the name. When we first met before that game, he asked me where I was from and when I told him, he said ‘Nice to meet you, BamaDave.’ It stuck.”
It was over 20 years later that the show started incorporating drone photography. “In March of 2017, I got a call from the network’s senior vice president, asking if I wanted to be a pioneer for ESPN, if I wanted to be their first drone pilot,” tells Smith. “I thought about it for all of five seconds before saying yes!”
Since then, he has spent countless hours traveling to College GameDay host universities, shooting campus footage and adding to the show itself. He was the first crew member to have a child enrolled in the school where the show was being hosted (at Auburn University).
He has also worked on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight on the Road. Between the two shows, he’s been a part of 401 shows and has won several Emmy awards. He’s met hundreds of celebrities, from within the sports world and beyond.
Of all the celebrities he’s met, his most cherished meeting was with former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “What started as a weekend gig turned into a lifetime of memories,” Smith says with a smile.
During this year’s Alabama vs. Texas game, College GameDay was in Tuscaloosa, and he was invited back to say his farewells to the crew. “They had a cake for me, and we all sat around and shared stories and a few tears,” he said.
Smith is forever grateful for his wife, Renee’s, support and looks forward to spending more time with his family. He grins as he talks about getting to enjoy doing more woodwork and exploring other hobbies, adding, “Now it’s time to ride off into the sunset and make more memories!”
There are a few givens whenever the Nelson/McLaughlin family gets together, often gathering at Logan Martin Lake. First, there’s gonna be food – and lots of it. Second, laid-back, casual fun is always on the agenda. And third, they’re going to blow the myth that “too many cooks spoil the broth” (or the sauce, in the case of this close-knit Italian family) right out of the water.
For this crew, a great celebration means all hands on deck, whether it’s in the kitchen, out by the grill, or wherever the magic is happening. “We’re a big Italian family, and we all grew up cooking,” said Nicole Nelson McLaughlin. “Nobody shows up empty-handed.”
Cooking whole hogs is a great way to feed a crowd.
Everyone has his or her own specialty, but while they all may be professional grade cooks, Nicole is the only one who made a profession out of cooking. The culinary producer for Allrecipes.com, she stars in the Get Cookin’ video series, demonstrating cooking techniques and sharing food tips and recipes with her ever-growing group of followers.
Recently, her job took her to New York City and the Today show, where she cooked up some favorites with hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. Her hope is that more families will discover the joys of cooking – and eating – together. “Every memory we have centers around food,” she said. I don’t understand people who eat to live because we definitely live to eat.”
Food isn’t the only thing that evokes memories for the family. Nicole and her brothers, Freddie and Mark Nelson, spent an enormous part of their childhood at the Logan Martin Lake home in Mays Bend that their parents, Fred and Gloria, still own. About three years ago, Freddie and his wife, Leigh Ann, bought a house in Pine Harbor, and other family members also have homes on the lake. That’s why, more often than not, a family gathering includes a beautiful view of the water.
“I’d rather be here than anywhere else,” Freddie said. “I grew up on this lake. Boating, skiing, fishing. We love everything about it.”
They especially love entertaining. He and Leigh Ann recently hosted a pre-wedding celebration for her brother, Alec Priola, and his fiancé, Mary Katherine Barrett. Freddie cooked up a big pot of jambalaya, family and friends played Bucket Golf on the lawn, and the guests enjoyed music and the beautiful backdrop the lake provides. “We do a lot of outdoor cooking,” Freddie said. “We love getting out the propane cooker for crawfish boils or jambalaya, and nary a weekend goes by without firing up the Big Green Egg or pit grill at the water’s edge. Life’s just simpler here.”
Get Cookin’ with Nicole
Although she’s always enjoyed cooking, Nicole decided to take things to the next level when she went to The University of Alabama to pursue a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hospitality management. “The Food Network was getting big about the time I was going to college, and it just looked so glamorous,” said Nicole, who lives in Hoover with her husband, Thomas, and three children.
After college, she earned a culinary degree from Johnson and Wales University in Charleston. “I always wanted to be a chef, but I didn’t want to work nights, weekends and holidays,” she said with a laugh. “That wasn’t really going to work.”
Instead, she started freelancing as a food stylist and helping with photo shoots for various magazines. “One thing led to another, and now I’m making videos,” said Nicole, who works at the Birmingham office of Dotdash Meredith, the country’s largest digital and print publisher. In addition to Allrecipes, Dotdash Meredith is the parent company for brands such as Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, People, and Entertainment Weekly.
“I started doing hands-only videos, and I was OK with that because only my hands showed,” she said. “I eventually got on-screen because my boss, who knows me well, wanted to give me a challenge. Gradually, I built a following.”
In the Get Cookin’ videos, she helps viewers unlock the mysteries of everything from grilling the perfect kabobs, to making an easy breakfast casserole, Beef Bourguignon, no-bake cheesecake or lemon squares. “My point of view is about budget and a very realistic approach to cooking,” she said. “I think people would say I take the intimidation out of cooking.”
Developing recipes is one of her favorite parts of the job because she gets to be creative. She’s a big fan of one-pot dishes because they serve a lot of people, and cleanup is easy. “I like cooking anything savory, and I love the ease of one-pot dinners and the way the flavors build upon each other,” she said.
The secret’s in the sauce – and the sausage
Nicole also likes to share some of her family’s favorite Italian recipes, including sugo, which is Italian for “sauce.” Some people call it Sunday sauce, while others say Sunday gravy, but regardless of the name, “if you come to our houses on Sunday, this is what you’re going to smell,” Nicole said. “We all make our own version, and none of it tastes the same even though we use the same ingredients.”
One thing that remains a constant, though, is that they always use Arnone’s Italian Sausage. Available at most Birmingham-area Piggly Wiggly stores, it’s made from the recipe their grandfather, Anthony Arnone, perfected.
“He was the head butcher at the Piggly Wiggly in Midfield, and he would bring home the trimmings and made his own sausage,” Nicole said, adding that the sausage was eventually sold at the store. Before he passed away, Anthony gave the recipe to his son and sons-in-law, who made batches at Christmas for family and friends. Eventually, they brought it back to the retail market, and now “it’s a staple in our recipes,” Nicole said.
Better at the lake
Another staple for the family is a love for Logan Martin Lake. Freddie said his parents bought the Mays Bend home in the early 1980s, and he and Nicole agree it’s been a preferred gathering spot ever since. “It’s my favorite place,” Nicole said. “There are fewer distractions, and you spend the entire day – from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed – outside.”
Now that they’re all grown, Freddie, Nicole and Mark want the same experience for their families. That’s why they all head for the water whenever possible, even though they already spend lots of time together. Mark and his wife, Erin, and their two kids live in Hoover, not far from Nicole and her family. Freddie and Mark work with their father and two cousins at Nelson Glass, the family business started by Fred and his brother-in-law, Frank Dickinson.
Although they enjoy getting together wherever they can, the family knows that life is always better at the lake. That’s because the focus is on simple pleasures like good food, good company and good fun.
The shrimp is the final addition to Freddie’s jambalaya
“We all have our roles, but Mark’s in charge of entertainment,” Nicole said. “We call him Funcle Mark because he’s the fun uncle. He takes the kids on the boat and takes them tubing all the time. We all want our kids to have the same kind of memories that we do.”
Freddie said he and Leigh Ann love lake life so much, they decided to look for a place of their own about three years ago since their boys love being on the water and fishing. After hearing about the 3-bedroom, 2-bath home from Leigh Ann’s sister and her husband, who also live on the lake, they decided to take a look.
“We pulled up in the boat one Monday, and I didn’t even have to see the inside of the house. I saw all this,” he said, gesturing at the lawn and outdoor living space the lot with 160 feet of waterfront offers. “I knew this was where we wanted to be.”
Now they come pretty much every weekend and spend as much time at the lake all year long as possible. “As soon as we pull up in the driveway, any stress from the week goes away.” Freddie said. “Immediately, I can breathe. I even love coming and just doing yard work or tinkering on our boats or around the house. It’s not work with this view.”
The home has also become one of their favorite places to entertain, and more often than not, Freddie takes on the cooking. “He probably cooks more than I do, and I cook for a living,” Nicole said.
Leigh Ann said she’s happy to turn it over to him. “Before we got married, I would have my friends over a lot, but I have to use my tried-and-true recipes and follow them exactly. Freddie just has a way of making it better,” she said. “He can take whatever’s in the kitchen and make something amazing.”
Freddie said he loves to grill, as well. Ribs and chicken wings are favorites, as are Boston Butts, Cornish game hens, and brisket. They’ve cooked whole hogs and hosted an oyster roast, too.
In addition to wonderful food, Freddie can provide the perfect playlist of music and often the perfect cocktail to accompany the meal, according to Leigh Ann.
“He makes it an experience,” she said. “I was at a Pampered Chef party, and they asked us to describe ourselves in the kitchen in one or two words. Sous-chef instantly came to me. I love being his backup.”
Family time
Although Leigh Ann said the family has been known to fight over who gets to host a particular celebration, the most important thing is that the family is together. That’s 15 people when it’s just the siblings, their parents, spouses and kids. For larger events like Thanksgiving or Christmas, the number can grow to 45 people or more.
“Everyone makes something, and we always have two or three appetizers – the meal before the meal,” Nicole said. “Then we have the huge meal and dessert. We like to stretch it out and make everything an event.”
Most events become traditions. “My husband is from South Carolina, and they have low country oyster roasts every winter,” Nicole said. “Now we have one every year at the lake. My mom started it about 15 years ago, and we’ve had it ever since.”
Whatever the occasion, laughter and love are sure to be on the menu. “My son recently had a birthday, and he called his grandmother and said, “I want dinner to be at your house, and I want pasta and meatballs and banana pudding,” Leigh Ann said.
“We had everyone all together for the first time in a while, and when I say ‘a while,’ it had only been about a month,” she said. “We were laughing and having fun, and I thought to myself, ‘There is nowhere on earth I would rather be than right here.’ ”
Italian Sunday Sauce
From Nicole McLaughlin, Allrecipes
Ingredients:
2 pounds pork neck bones
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ¼ pounds Italian sausage links
1 ½ cups finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (12 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
7 cups water
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
· 12 large cooked meatballs (recipe below)
Directions: Sprinkle neck bones on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat 4 teaspoons oil in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place neck bones in the pot and cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a plate. Add sausage links to the drippings and brown for 3 minutes on each side, adding remaining oil as needed. Set aside with the pork. Add onion to the drippings and season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato puree and crushed tomatoes, then add water and sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add bay leaf. Rub basil and oregano between your fingers to release the aroma and add to the sauce. Slice sausages into large chunks and return to the pot with the neck bones. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 hours. Remove neck bones and bay leaf. Remove any meat remaining on the bones, shred, and return to the sauce.
Best Easy Meatballs
From Nicole McLaughlin, Allrecipes
Ingredients:
cooking spray
⅓ cup minced onion
⅓ cup Italian bread crumbs
⅓ cup half-and-half
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1 ¼ pounds ground round beef
½ pound ground Italian sausage
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray foil lightly with cooking spray. Combine onion, bread crumbs, half-and-half, Parmesan cheese, eggs, egg yolk, garlic, basil, parsley, and oregano in a large bowl; stir until well combined. Add ground round and sausage and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Mix well until just combined. Dampen hands with water and form mixture into 18 golf ball-sized meatballs. Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a large pot and add marinara sauce. Simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours before serving.
Pine Harbor Jambalaya
(feeds a crowd)
From Freddie Nelson
Ingredients:
3 pounds chicken thighs, cut into large pieces
2 pounds andouille sausage, cut into small pieces
1 pound alligator & pork sausage, cut into small pieces (find at seafood or butcher shops or use pork sausage)
1 pound smoked ham, cut into small pieces
4 white onions, chopped
3 green bell peppers, chopped
1 head celery, chopped
1 1/2 heads garlic, chopped
1 (23-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (28-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
5-6 bay leaves
4 quarts chicken broth or stock
4 pounds jasmine rice
2 bunches flat-leaf parsley, chopped
3 bunches scallions, chopped
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
3-5 tablespoons Cajun Two-Step Seasoning (or other Cajun or Creole seasoning,) divided
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Hot sauce to taste
2 pounds peeled Gulf shrimp
Additonal chopped scallions for garnish
Directions:
Cook in a 5-gallon pot. Brown sausages and ham. Remove from pot. Lightly season chicken with Cajun seasoning. Brown and remove from pan. Sauté all vegetables for 5 to 10 minutes until softened. Season with salt to taste. Add broth or stock and bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients except rice and shrimp. Add meat back to pot. Cook for 10-15 minutes. Add rice and stir for several minutes. Cover and simmer until rice is tender. Lightly season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and add to pot for final 5 minutes. Garnish with scallions and serve.
Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett
Logan Martin
Finally, cooler weather has dropped the water temps on Logan Martin, and the fish are beginning to fatten up for the winter. The months of November and December can be some of the best times to fish and are two of my favorite months to fish on Logan Martin.
There are a few things happening during these months on Logan Martin. First, the lake should be at winter pool. Winter pool for Logan Martin now is three feet lower than summer pool, unlike previous years when it used to be five feet lower.
Cooler weather can mean better
fishing on the lakes
The new winter pool has changed a little on how I now fish Logan Martin from previous years. Some places are not as shallow now with the extra two feet of water, and the fish have adapted quickly.
Another thing that happens during these months is the fish are feeding up for the winter months. What that means is that they are heavily feeding on shad most of the time.
Finding suspended fish in the creeks is one my favorite ways to catch them. It’s an easy equation. Go find the baitfish, and the bass will not be far behind. A small damiki rig and deep diving jerkbait are some of my favorite ways to find them.
Also a square-bill and spinnerbait are a couple of great choices when wanting to cover some shallow points or channel swing banks. I will mainly focus on the main river with these two baits and typically look for the banks with deeper water nearby.
Now, one of my favorite ways to get a bigger bite is with a big pig and jig. This is especially true in the latter part of December when the water temp is below 55. It also helps a lot if the lake has one foot of visibility or less.
During these two months on Logan Martin, anglers have a lot of options to catch fish with a ton of techniques available. The fish are getting fat and there is less boat traffic, so go enjoy some fish-catching action.
Neely Henry
Neely Henry is a great late fall/early wintertime of year lake. I mainly focus on the bottom end of the lake during these two months.
There are a lot of bluffs, docks and rip rap in this region of the lake. Where I spend most of my time during these two months fishing is relative to how much rain we receive. If there has been a lot of rain, Alabama Power will run more current in the system. This is when I will focus on main river points and docks.
A couple of baits I always start out with is either a bladed jig or square-bill crankbait. The current should have the fish set up and ready to bite whatever eases past them.
Now, once the water temp gets below 50 degrees, that’s when I will ease my way into the creeks. Typically, I want to be in the region of the creek where I feel like most of action is. What I mean by that is either I’m seeing bait fish on my electronics or maybe a slight degree or two difference in water temp.
Once I find these scenarios, I will be heavily dependent on my forward-facing sonar and pick off bass that are maybe chasing bait in channel bends of the creek or just off the banks.
I’ll use either a damiki rig or jerkbait depending on where the fish are in the water column. Keep your lure choices simple and keep moving during these two months. The fish can change by the hour or even every few minutes!
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.
Pinball machines, guitars and more — Local tinkerer makes the magic happen
Story by Graham Hadley Photos by Richard Rybka, Graham Hadley and contributed by Mike Pegg
Sitting by Choccolocco Creek at the northern edge of Munford is a house full of wonders, and they are all the work of one man.
From professional-quality custom guitars to full-size pinball machines, there is not much Mike Pegg can’t design and build, and in his spare time, he works a full-time job and races motorcycles.
“I am just a tinkerer. My family were all tinkerers,” he said.
Originally from Ohio, Mike says he grew up basically “in the middle of nowhere. If something broke, you had to fix it yourself. My grandfather was one of the greatest tinkerers I ever knew. He was a lineman and taught me woodworking and how to drive nails as a kid.”
Those skills formed the foundation for Mike’s love of making things … that and necessity – his father was in the Army, and they moved around a lot, and money could be tight.
“I have been playing guitar most of my life. My first guitar was an acoustic from Sears when I was 11, but the action on it was very high” and it was not much fun to play. “Mom saved for a year to buy me my first electric.”
Mike wanted something better, and good guitars don’t come cheap – so he did what comes so naturally to him, he started making his own.
Mike with his version of the classic Ibanez Steve Vai guitar
“I would buy cheap guitars – 40-or-50-dollar guitars – and make one good one. One would have a good neck, another a good body, another good electronics.”
Today, Mike builds them from the ground up and markets them under his brand – Bigg Deal Customs, which covers everything he makes. (He says the extra G in Bigg is courtesy of his son who jumped on the name after a friend called Mike a big deal).
“About eight years ago, I started getting serious. I put together a guitar based on the Ibanez JEM777 Steve Vai Signature, the one with the cutout handle in the body. I put a bunch of coats of different colored paint on it and then sanded it through, but not all the way to the wood,” he said. “It makes it look like a star going nova.”
After that, his guitar hobby took off. Mike was making all kinds of custom guitars – many with unique features like vintage vacuum tubes embedded in the body that would light up. He even created one that had a built-in theremin – an electronic instrument that is controlled without actually touching the instrument.
Under his Bigg Deal branding, he sold the guitars online and through local shops in Calhoun County and surrounding areas. Today, Mike focuses mostly on specific custom builds requested by his customers.
“I can make a very affordable guitar for under $600. On those, I buy the necks, I don’t make them, and then cut out the body. For $1,200 or more, I build everything,” he said. “The bodies are always a work of art, but I do want people to play them. … I now have sold guitars all over the world.”
Alabama musician Bo Bice of American Idol fame bought five Bigg Deal guitars from Mike.
“He called up and said he wanted to buy a guitar from me. I thought it was a friend playing a joke on me, so I hung up. He called back and sang for me. He ended up buying five guitars. The guy was as nice as everyone says he is. It really opened up some doors for me.”
Guitars were kind of a stepping-stone for Mike’s next project – building full-size custom pinball machines.
“I have always been a huge pinball guy. In Ohio, back in the 1970s, there was a gas station near our house that had a machine in it. I would play until they were about ready to throw me out. I just got hooked. I love the sounds, the feedback, the lights,” he said.
“In August of last year, I got the idea that if I can build guitars, I can build a pinball machine.”
Bo Bice signing a guitar for Mike Pegg, Munford, Alabama
And he can – the proof of which is sitting in his living room next to another commercially built machine, but it turned out to be a good bit more work and money than he had anticipated.
“There is 800 feet of wiring in that. I originally tried to salvage some old used ones, but I only got a few parts from those,” he said. He had to build everything from scratch and buy all new electronic and other parts. “It took me a year to do, and I am still working on the sounds.”
There were a few bumps along the way, including having to completely rebuild his completed playing field after dropping the original.
“And parts are not cheap. They have started making the machines again, and those are getting cheaper, but not the parts,” he said.
Mike said he gets a lot of help from other pinball enthusiasts, whose knowledge and access to parts make his latest endeavor possible.
“These pinball guys are just mind-blowing. They have been a huge support. I even had one who sent me a part I was looking for for free,” he said.
He has started on his second machine while he works with someone who is familiar with the sound systems in iconic Bally machines on the effects for the first one. He has big plans for his second build – including features that allow for multiple balls on the field at a time.
When he is not at work as a maintenance supervisor for an aluminum company, he races, and not rarely, wins offroad motorcycle enduro and hare scramble events. His bike and riding gear are often as colorful as his guitars and pinball machines. He even finds time for some pinball tournaments.
“I remember dragging the girlfriend to a tournament in Pelham,” he said.
To relax and wind down, he has friends over to play pinball on his machine or one of several vintage machines he has collected, including one called Big Deal (one G), and plays guitar and hangs out on his porch overlooking Choccolocco Creek.
Mike is loving every minute of it.
“I have all these amazing things happen to me. It’s almost a Forest Gump kind of thing. I have made all these great friends,” he said.
And though he is just getting started in the pinball business, he is already making a name for himself and appeared on the Pinball Innovators & Makers podcast, hosted by Dan Rosenstein.
In a continuing effort to cast a wider net marketing the Coosa River and the waterway’s lakes and streams into a fly-fishing destination, Gadsden will host its inaugural Fly-Fishing Expo on Jan. 20 and 21, 2024, at The Venue at Coosa Landing.
“We would love for Gadsden to be known as a fly-fishing destination as well as for the other amenities we offer,” says Deborah Hawkins, administrative supervisor of The Venue.
Alabama Fishing Show and Expo drew vendors
and a crowd
This free expo will host fly-fishing-related vendors and exhibitors of all kinds from the neighboring states and counties at the gleaming 55,000 square foot facility on the banks of the Coosa River.
The fly-fishing event comes on the heels of the successful Alabama Fishing Show at The Venue this past March.
The expo is the latest move by Gadsden to grow fly fishing in the region. The city invested $10,000 to stock the waters around Noccalula Falls with Rainbow trout.
Along with the success of the Alabama Fishing Show last spring, Hawkins credits one man – the owner of Rainbow City Auction and Fly Fishing – who lured the city with the idea for a fly-fishing focused event.
“It was the work and due diligence of Frank Roden that brought this event to Gadsden,” Hawkins says.
A sign of things to come
On the streams around these parts and beyond, Frank Roden is known as “the guy with the tie,” his homage to a more elegant time when fly anglers – clad in hats, shirts, boots, waders and Windsor-knotted neckties – took to the waters. For traditionalists like Roden, the tie seems as important as the right feathered fly or the perfect 10 o’clock-two o’clock cast, the perfect fly-casting motion.
Roden, one of area fly fishing’s most fervent evangelists and an instructor for the iconic fly-fishing merchant Orvis, saw the sport’s growth coming over 20 years ago.
Somewhere around 2001, Roden recalls, he and his wife, Tammy, couldn’t get the gear they wanted locally, even around the state. So, they opened their fly-fishing shop as part of their antique furniture business.
When the couple announced their first fly fishing seminar, locals predicted a sparse turnout, 20-25 people, tops. What occurred was something akin to a fly angling tent revival.
“When the instructors and manufacturers pulled up 15 minutes before we were supposed to start, they had 169 people waiting under the tent. That was just the tip of the iceberg.”
He sees the January event as a positive step for the city and the sport.
“Someone for a long time has needed to bring a fly-fishing expo to the state of Alabama,” Roden says. “Gadsden has that facility right there on the Coosa. They brought a general fishing show to The Venue last spring, and it was huge. They did a great job with it.”
Gadsden has the formula for a fly-fishing show that will mirror the success of last spring’s effort.
The Venue at Coosa Landing continues its success story
“They have the space available,” Roden says. “They have the stuff that can support it around The Venue there (restaurants, gas stations, shops and hotels). Now we just need the wholesalers and dealers.”
The expo is the latest evidence of Gadsden’s commitment to the sport.
“Boy has that been good,” Roden said in a past issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®. “We should give them a lot of credit for putting the winter trout fishery in. Greater Gadsden Area Tourism has done a lot to promote the fly fishing here.”
And organizers hope that tackle, equipment, wholesalers and dealers from across the country come to Gadsden for the expo. After all, fly anglers travel from the streams of Maine to the big waters of Montana and points north, south, east and west.
“Don’t assume that (fly fishers) just fish locally,” Roden says. “They go to the Gulf Coast; they go to the mountains. They travel out west and to the Appalachian chain. We needed (to keep that in mind) when we started hunting new equipment.”
Roden adds, “The sport has grown, not just in the Gadsden area, but to the places people are going. The population of the Gadsden area can travel all over now that they know what they’re looking for.”
A study from Grand View Research quantifies the growth in the popularity of fly fishing through the sale of fly-fishing equipment and apparel, a $3.1 million business in 2022.
The industry is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1 percent.
The increasing popularity of the sport isn’t the only driver. People are drawn to more environmentally friendly sports and sustainability efforts like the fishery stocking areas in Gadsden, as well as the diverse needs and preferences of the fly-fishing community, the study said.
The expo may lure more fly-fishing shops and merchants to the area. Surprisingly, Roden sees that as a positive.
“I think it’s great, Roden says. “Bring ‘em on. I’m not getting a lot of business off the trout fishing because most of the people who come here come here for tourism, and they already had their gear before coming to Gadsden.”
He said many who come to areas like Black Creek to fish move their homes and businesses to the area.
Roden says he doesn’t have to aggressively sell fly fishing in the region. “That’s the good thing. I don’t have to sell it. They come to me looking for it. My business is soft sell.”
While there are skeptics about the future of fly fishing in Etowah and St. Clair counties, Roden points to the Coosa and talks about streams like Black Creek, Big Canoe Creek and the Noccalula Falls area and others.
“Man, that’s a lot of water out there.”
For non-anglers who may be film buffs, the two-day expo will include the Fourth Annual Fly-Fishing Film Festival, beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. And of course, there are shops and restaurants nearby.
Tickets for the expo are $25. Vendor booths, including tables chairs and power are $200 for the weekend.
Hours for the festival are 10-5 on Saturday with the film festival screening at 5. The festival continues on Sunday from 10-4.
While city officials have not projected the Fly-Fishing Expo’s economic impact, Hawkins is optimistic that local businesses will see a ripple effect – like a rainbow trout jumping in a cool, quiet stream – for the area economy.
“This absolutely will have a ripple effect such as lodging, restaurants, shopping, license fees for the city, gas and other necessities … Since this is our first fly fishing expo, we don’t have a projected economic impact. But we will work as hard as we do for anything else to bring income and awareness to our great city.”
Editor’s Note:For more information on the Fly-Fishing Expo, call 256-549-4587.
