Just like the movement it represents, the God is Bigger annual fishing tournament on Logan Martin Lake continues to grow and inspire more and more to get involved.
The tournament returns Sept. 23 at Lakeside Park in Pell City. Ninety-four boats competed in 2022. More than 100 are expected to launch in this year’s tournament.
Guaranteed prize money is $6,000 and will be paid to 16 winning places. In addition, there’s a “No Weigh-In Drawing” for a chance to win $125. Entry fee is $130 per boat, which includes $10 for Big Fish.
In 2022, 94 boats competed. More than 100 are expected for 2023
Nitro, Triton, Tracker and Ranger Bass Pro Shops Tournament Rewards are for qualifying boats and sponsored through Sylacauga Marine. Bass Cash is available by AmFirst.
Tournament registration Is online at: gibmovement.com.
Pre-register by Sept. 21, and you’re automatically entered for a chance to win a seven-night stay at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, Fla. The beach giveaway winner will be drawn the day of the tournament, and presence is not required to win.
All paid anglers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and one free draw prize ticket. All registered boat numbers will be entered for a chance to win one of two $250 Bass Pro gift cards.
The event will center at the pavilion near the beach, Jerry Wood Memorial Pavilion, and while anglers are competing, there will be plenty of free activities, including drawings for prizes.
Bestselling author, Russell Estess will speak at the tournament and share his testimony on how the God is Bigger Movement impacted his life and the lives of his fans. His books will be available for autographs, and his new book, God is Bigger Than The Mountain You Are Facing, is tentatively set for release on Sept. 23.
Estess is one of the testimonies that has come out of the God is Bigger Movement. Someone gave him a God is Bigger bracelet, and it became his story and his mission because those three significant words, he said, helped give him the strength to fight the battle with cancer.
His friend, Shawn Dennison, Christian singer/songwriter will be performing in concert free to the public from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and will be showcasing his new song that he wrote for Russell about his battle. The song is called God is Bigger.
Refreshments from food trucks will be available for those in attendance.
The Genesis of God is BiggerMovement, Tournament
When doctors gave Rachel Shaneyfelt the diagnosis no one wants to hear – “You have six months to live” – the year was 2011, and she was in school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to become a nurse practitioner.
Rachel Shaneyfelt
The diagnosis didn’t dissuade her. Instead, she leaned on her faith to help her through, and it sparked a movement with worldwide impact. Early on after much prayer, she told one of the doctors she worked with that her lesion had shrunk 70 percent and followed it with, “Praise God.” The doctor, a non-believer, casually responded, “Go get a Tshirt.”
So she did. She had the words, “GOD IS BIGGER” printed on them and gifted them to friends and family who prayed for her. Paying it forward, she then bought 1,000 silicone bracelets imprinted with the words, “GOD IS BIGGER,” and started handing them out to strangers. Within a week, they were gone.
Others quickly joined her movement and today, 800,000 bracelets have shipped around the world.
Rachel finished her degree and worked in her field before succumbing to Mesothelioma. Her six months turned into six years of life dedicated to spreading the message. Her wish was to keep the God is Bigger momentum going.
Her cousin, Stacey Reed of Springville, is the driving force behind it now. Six years ago, an idea from a 13-year-old friend, Evan Meers, gave birth to the fishing tournament to raise money for the movement. Now, it’s one of the largest on Logan Martin Lake.
“I have big shoes to fill,” Reed said. This ministry truly has become a movement. It has evolved into “their story and their mission” through those three words that made an impact and changed their lives. “It’s given them hope, she said, quoting Luke 1:37: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”
What could be nicer than a leisurely stroll on a sandy beach, with water gently lapping at the shoreline and sea birds noisily going about their various life tasks? Now imagine this scene, not in Florida or Lower Alabama, but on a sandy swimming area at a man-made lake, more than 300 miles from the nearest saltwater.
Almost from the day it was fully impounded in the early 1960s, Logan Martin Lake has hosted ever-increasing numbers of birds more commonly found near oceans. Among them are many varieties of sea gulls and pelicans, along with eagles, ospreys and other fish-loving species.
They frequent every part of the lake, in harmonious company with other inland water birds such as cormorants, green herons, great blue herons, great white herons, cattle egrets and every kind of goose and duck imaginable, of both local and migratory species.
Great egret
Canada geese, mallards and wood ducks all share the abundance of minnows and other aquatic life around the banks and mud flats, while ospreys and eagles dive-bomb larger fish over deep water and around the spillways at the dam.
Stealthy green herons are occasionally seen working their way along bank undercuts and riprap. They’re easy to identify because their heads and beaks seem to belong to much bigger birds.
Ospreys love to build big nests from sticks and small tree limbs atop the numerous floodlight platforms and high-tension power lines around the lake. They’re powerful predators, with large beaks and long talons. When hunting, they tend to hover about 50-100 feet above the water, then dive-bomb their prey, often going completely underwater.
Ospreys can sometimes be seen flying home with a fish weighing several pounds clutched in their claws, always with the fish’s head pointed forward so that it streamlines into the air.
According to Wikipedia, they are a singular species of bird. If you’ve seen one osprey, you’ve seen them all. They mate for life, breed in early to late spring and may or may not migrate.
Bald eagles have made their home here as well. They have been seen arguing with ospreys over nest sites, although the eagles merely use them for comfortable perches atop high structures, such as power line towers. Eagles build their own nests that are much larger than the osprey nests, often weighing hundreds of pounds. They usually breed in December and January in our area.
White and brown pelicans may be seen floating together in large groups on some isolated backwater, or even in the middle of the lake, sometimes accompanied by flocks of seagulls.
The many varieties of gulls seen around Logan Martin behave pretty much as their littoral counterparts. They are amazing flyers, with wings evolved for speed and agility. Our gulls sometimes leave the lake to descend on local big-box parking lots, scavenging scraps of food waste discarded by environmentally unconcerned humans.
Logan Martin is a birdwatcher’s paradise, also hosting hordes of non-aquatic varieties. Its diverse environment has become home to several species of owls, woodpeckers and songbirds, most of which have little fear of humans. Most of the heron family is well-represented here, including the yellow crowned and black crowned variety. Several sites are especially good for watching.
Local photographer Mary Cason, who frequently walks at Lakeside Park, contributed photos for this story. She says, “You never know what’s going to be around the next bend or over the next hill.” Her photo files are chockfull of her favorite subjects – aquatic fowl. She’s experienced lots of Kodak moments at the park and its environs.
Lakeside Park is a natural sanctuary because of an abundance of foodstuffs, both natural and from folks feeding the various rodents that congregate in such places. In turn, raptors such as owls and hawks, tend to hunt them and keep their population at a reasonable level.
The Coosa Island area is especially rich in pelicans, cormorants and other fish-eaters, but one should respect the privacy of those living there by observing wildlife far away from residences.
Osprey with nest stick
There is a nice little park and nature trail at the east end of Logan Martin Dam, appropriately named Logan Martin Dam Park. It’s more secluded and far less crowded than other nature sites, so it’s probably best to visit there in the company of a friend or two. There’s plenty of information online about this and other sites around the lake.
Logan Martin is an ideal, safe area for introducing youngsters to aquatic wildlife, but please don’t feed water birds around public beaches because, as they congregate for feeding, they tend to contaminate the water and make it unsuitable for swimming.
There is a short boardwalk near the Lakeside Park roadway that is perfect for observing, or simply quiet contemplation. The boat launch area has a fishing pier as well as a walking bridge that crosses the slough into the sports fields. Both are excellent birding sites, as are the spacious grounds of the park itself.
Its walking trail is about 1.2 miles long. The main part makes a big loop around the whole park, with an asphalt walkway that passes the native flower garden and mud flats boardwalk, thence uphill while skirting dense forest, backwaters and ending up near the boat launch.
There is another, lesser known woodland section of Lakeside called the Rosa Lorene Morton Nature Trail, accessed just after you enter the park from a small parking lot near the Metro Bank gazebo. It’s purely natural and mostly unimproved, so boots and a walking stick are in order. l
Story by Paul South Photos by Graham Hadley Submitted photos
Unless you’re the whale-obsessed Captain Ahab, a soldier in the biblical Egyptian army chasing Moses and the Israelites, or a champagne-sipping passenger aboard the RMS Titanic, this one thing is true: On the water, there’s never a bad day.
For locals and visitors to the Coosa River towns of Southside and Gadsden, two new boat landings are making life on the river even better. And city officials see the landings as yet another economic engine countywide.
First stop: Coosa Landing
First-term Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford had just finished lunch at Harp and Clover, when he met a Mississippi family posing for pictures outside the restaurant.
“What brings y’all to Gadsden?,” he asked. Their answer surprised him.
“This is our vacation. We love mountains and the river, and you guys have got both.”
The Venue at Coosa Landing
Ford’s reaction?
“Wow. And here I’ve taken it for granted all these years.”
Coosa Landing is a cornerstone of redevelopment of Gadsden’s stretch of the river. A new landing may not seem like much but consider this: The Coosa attracts 32 fishing tournaments annually.
“To have that river, Coosa Landing is one of the biggest economic drivers we’ve got,” Ford said. “The development of Coosa Landing is kind of that center point for us as we start to develop that area around Coosa Landing. We have The Venue that’s continually being developed. We still have about 15,000 square feet of working space that’s still available.”
The Venue at Coosa Landing, a massive meeting and event center, was built in 2018, the same year that Coosa Landing opened, and regularly draws thousands of visitors for its events.
Just across the way, Coosa Landing boasts a four-lane boat launch, piers, parking for 125 trucks/boat trailers, an overflow parking area, a bait shop and the nearby Riverwalk Trail, which connects the Landing to a nearby Buffalo Wild Wings and an ideal stroll by the river.
The city hopes to add gas pumps at the Landing for boaters to refuel.
The Landing has hosted and co-sponsored national fishing tournaments on the B.A.S.S., Women’s Bass Fishing Association, Crappie USA tours and local and state tournaments.
But the Landing is part of a larger vision for Gadsden.
The city hopes to relocate City Hall and is trying to attract a boutique hotel, condominiums and more retail to the Landing side of the river. The city also envisions connecting the Gadsden Convention Center and new hotel with a pedestrian bridge.
“That would attract visitors from Coosa Landing as well,” Ford predicted. “I think once we get that type of development going, we’re actually going to be looking at trying to push more down toward across from the (Gadsden) Mall to develop behind the Arby’s there with some land that we own to build a city harbor that will bring in entertainment, bars and restaurants.
He reasons that the effort will “get people like the fishermen who come into Coosa Landing and into Gadsden to make it more of a tourist-type thing. Not only are you coming in here to fish, but we’re going to give you things to do at night while you’re not fishing.”
For Ford, the effort is “sort of a growth package” that will not only drive tourism but will grow Gadsden’s population. We think it will bring more people to live in Gadsden, because people like to live where they play,” he says. “The river is a big economic driver for us,” Ford said.
He sees the landing as a cornerstone of Gadsden’s transformation. “The people elected us to create jobs, improve the (Noccalula) Falls and develop the river,” Ford said. “Those are the things they elected us to do. And that’s the focus for the next four years at least.”
And Ford’s long-term vision for Gadsden’s stretch of the Coosa?
“At the end of the day, you’re going to see a lot more greenspace. You’re going to see the banks of the Coosa be a lot more inviting, not just for boaters, but for anyone who wants to hang out by the river.”
The city is also working with the Birmingham-based Orchestra Partners to bring development that will attract downtown shoppers toward the Coosa.
The anticipated result? “You won’t recognize the city in eight to 10 years.”
All aboard for Southside
When Mayor Dana Snyder and the city council took office in 2020, one of their top priorities was further developing Southside Landing.
In May 2022, the Landing officially opened. It was the vision of Southside’s previous mayor, Wally Burns, and had been in the works since 2016.
Mayor Snyder and the City Council embraced this vision and worked to expand on his concept by including an all-inclusive park and playground, which has proven to be an important asset for the community.
Playground and Restaurant at Southside Landing
Southside Landing features a boardwalk, boat launches, playground, outside dining, picnic areas and some of the most stunning scenery/views anywhere. Southside Landing has truly been a community effort, the mayor said, noting that a significant number of local businesses and clubs have contributed to this growing success story.
“Although the original plans called for a bait shack to be located at Southside Landing, the City Council and I felt like a restaurant in that building would be a better fit for our community,” she says. “In October 2022, we were fortunate to have Blackstone Bait Shack, a popular locally-owned pizza restaurant, open for business in this location. Blackstone has provided both an economic development boost and an oasis for hungry locals and visitors.”
They provide outside dining, featuring beautiful views of the Coosa River and the surrounding landscape, and they are considering outside entertainment during the summer months. “It’s no surprise how popular Southside Landing has become,” Mayor Snyder said, “and we look forward to building on and expanding this beautiful recreational area.”
Various events have already taken place at Southside Landing with many more events in the planning stages. “In December 2020, prior to the official opening of Southside Landing, the Christmas Boat Parade was brought to our end of the Coosa River. We had over 200 vehicles parked there when it was just a gravel parking lot to enjoy the boat parade. So, it was easy to surmise that once the paving, playground and boardwalk were completed, this would be a favorite location for both our community and visitors.”
“Southside Landing has already hosted numerous fishing tournaments, Sunset Suppers, Dinner and a Movie and our annual Christmas Boat Parades with great success,” she said. “These have proven to be favorites of not only our local community but of people from outside our city and county.”
Kinsley Aulsbrook of Rainbow City on the swings at Southside (Photo courtesy of her mom)
And more events are expected to come. “Outdoor recreation is not only important for tourism, but it is a huge draw for both potential residents and businesses,” Snyder said.
“Recreation is one of the number one things that makes people want to move to the city because there are things outdoors that they can do,” Snyder says. “Number two, when businesses are looking to move into a city, they also look at recreational opportunities.”
Of all of Etowah County’s incorporated cities and towns, Southside boasts the most riverfront property on the Coosa – more than 31 miles, Snyder said.
“I believe we are ‘The Loveliest Village on the Coosa,’ Snyder says. “Just the Landing fitting into our long-range plan, I believe it is the gateway to our city. I believe when people come there, they see that. When we advertise for movie nights there, our Christmas Boat Parade, the fishing tournaments, just the different events that are planned there, I just believe we are drawing people from outside the city and the county.”
She adds, “They’re going to come here. They’re going to see what we’re like. They’re going to hopefully want to come back and visit.”
To make that happen, Southside has collaborated with its neighbors – Rainbow City and the Neely Henry Lake Association – for “Dinner and a Movie” nights on the riverfront. Imagine families cuddled on blankets watching classics like Jaws, while munching on Blackstone’s pizza or food truck fare.
Food trucks also come to the Landing for popular “Sunset Suppers.”
Southside Landing is seen as the “first step” in the city’s long-range plan. Those plans include items like new gateway signs for the city to long-range objectives, like a zoning overlay for the Alabama Highway 77 Corridor. Farther into the future, officials eye the development of a city center.
There also are long-range plans for new parks and sports facilities. Other riverfront possibilities include a new recreational vehicle park.
The future looks bright in terms of future development at the Landing. Restaurant/retail spaces, perhaps even an amphitheater may one day call Southside’s slice of the riverbank home. The city recently purchased the “land between the two bridges” – Little Bridge and the Coosa River span – in hopes of getting a new river bridge. If the state builds a new river bridge at the site of the current span, the parcel between the bridges could be linked to Southside Landing.
“Southside Landing is not only a valuable asset to our community, it is the gateway to our city. We see how busy it is and as word spreads and improvements are made, I believe that it will be an even greater marketing tool for our city,” said Mayor Snyder. “If you have witnessed the beauty of a sunset at Southside Landing, then you have experienced the serenity, beauty and pulse of our wonderful city.”
Snyder summed up the importance of Southside Landing to the city’s future. She views it not as the culmination of a plan, but ushering in a new era. “That’s the beginning of our story there.”
Alabama Power ready to boost water levels on Logan Martin, Neely Henry
Story by Paul South Staff Photos
ForCarl Wallace, there are signs—both on and off the lake – telling him a change is coming and that the waters will rise.
The arrival of Daylight Savings Time – this year on March 12 – means longer afternoons and a break in cabin fever for folks longing to get out. Homeowners race to finish boathouse, dock and shoreline repairs.
And – like blossoming buds and sprouting trees – social media springs to life with chatter about the rising waters. Boat dealer and marina traffic heats up, as does the weather. Shorts and T-shirts replace sweaters and sweatshirts.
Logan Martin Dam
“All of a sudden, you have an extra hour in the evening – it has warmed up a bit – and people will long to get out,” Wallace says.
This year, the anticipation is even more heightened since residents got their first sampling of higher water when the winter pool was raised to 462 feet instead of the 460 feet since its beginnings in the mid-1960s.
Come April 16, the lake will begin its seasonal rise with only three feet to go to summer pool – expected by May 1. The drawdown is expected to begin Oct. 1.
And since Alabama weather is, well, Alabama weather, with shorts and Tshirts becoming appropriate apparel here and there throughout the winter months, the extra two feet has meant an increase in year-round boating. But unofficially, lake season seems to kick off in a big way around Memorial Day weekend.
There’s a flurry of activity up and down the lake between now and the water’s rise. Boat and seawall repairs, dock building and improvements and general sprucing up with landscaping projects are all part of the pre-lake season mix.
An important note: Property owners interested in performing shoreline maintenance projects must get a permit from Alabama Power through its Shoreline Management Office at 205-472-0481 before starting any project.
Increased debris may come with rising waters, so groups like the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association and Renew Our Rivers go to work, cleaning up the waters.
Why the fluctuation?
Twice a year – each Spring and Fall – Alabama Power Company adjusts water levels in Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes to prepare for Alabama’s rainy seasons.
Full pool for Logan Martin is 465 feet and for Neely Henry, it’s 508 feet. Neely Henry’s level only fluctuates about a foot.
Neely Henry is a storage lake, and levels don’t fluctuate much
The electric utility operates two kinds of lakes – “Run of River” and “Storage.” Logan Martin and Neely Henry are storage reservoirs, which serve two purposes.
“Run of river projects discharge essentially the same amount of water that flows into them. This type of operation gives them a fairly consistent lake level year-round. These lakes were not designed with flood control as a specific project purpose,” according to Alabama Power Spokesperson Alyson Tucker.
“Alternatively, ‘storage’ projects like Neely Henry and Logan Martin provide seasonal storage, having different summer and winter pool levels and are drawn down late fall into the winter to provide a means of managing and storing winter/spring rains. These operations provide a measure of protection against downstream flooding during high flow events. These storage projects normally have their levels returned to summer pool levels during the spring timeframe. Water stored in these storage lakes can also help mitigate some impacts of drought by providing a limited source of water for use when it is scarce, such as during drought periods.”
The operating levels, managed by Alabama Power are determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in what’s called the Guide
The Guide remains the same throughout the summer months. In fall and early winter, the Guide declines to make room for normal winter and spring flood flows. In general, the operating guide provides the guidance needed for both flood control operations and daily water management decisions.
Environmental impact on flora and fauna is “minimal,” Alabama Power officials say.
“Alabama Power works in concert with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to maintain stable or slightly rising water levels during the spring to support fish spawning when conditions allow. Due to higher and more stable water levels in the winter,” the company says, there has been an increase in aquatic vegetation on these lakes in recent years.
Lake levels vary depending on conditions.
And lakefront businesses and watercraft merchants will likely see their bottom lines rise along with the water levels.
For lake residents, the rising lake levels generate more than electricity. The lake will see a sizable increase in traffic from pontoons, fishing and ski boats and personal watercraft. Wallace, who writes the social media blog, Lake Ramblings, put it like this: “Lake lovers love toys.”
It won’t be too long before this is an every weekend scene at Pirate Island
A dammed good time
Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes were part of a construction project to further develop the Coosa River in the late 1950s and early 60s. The area of the Logan Martin reservoir is 15,263 acres with 275 miles of shoreline.
Neely Henry Reservoir has an area of 11,200 acres and 339 miles of shoreline, according to Alabama Power.
Neely Henry Dam was built in 1966, and Logan Martin, in 1964.
Since that time, for water enthusiasts on both lakes, it has been (as a lake festival Tshirt once proclaimed) “a dammed good time.”
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.
Ancient tradition helps Gadsden families build a brighter future
Story by Paul South Photos by Mackenzie Free
On a short, sun-soaked stretch of the Coosa, folks celebrated an ancient Chinese tradition to help solve a present-day problem and give some Etowah County families a brighter future.
The Gadsden-Etowah affiliate of Habitat for Humanity’s annual Dragon Boat Festival resumed after a two-year, pandemic-related hiatus, raising money to help low-income families realize the dream of home ownership.
Gadsden City Parks & Rec ‘Noccalu-oars’
Colorful watercraft, powered by dedicated rowers, driven by a drumbeat – including one pacesetter bearing a striking resemblance to Elvis – raced to boost the local Habitat effort.
In its 26-year history, Gadsden-Etowah Habitat has built 57 homes, with more to come. A 58th home is fittingly expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.
The idea for a dragon boat race came from a brainstorming session among the organization’s local board searching for fundraising ideas. The races are popular in Florida.
And while participation this year was down – only nine boats competed in 2022 – the dragon boat race has made a splash in Gadsden. Business, civic and school groups are involved. And it’s not just the race, but music, food and fun.
“The city loves it,” Habitat Executive Director Sarah Meehan said. “Even though participation was down, enthusiasm was up. I think when there’s not as many teams competing, people get very excited, because they think they have a better chance.”
The race is on a short course, but rowers paddle at a furious pace.
“A minute, 15 (seconds), and you’re done,” she said.
The races featured multiple heats, and boats compete in two classes – recreational and competitive.
And while the races may seemingly sprint by in a blink, they pay big dividends for Habitat and for the families it will help. This year’s race raised more than $38,000 to go toward building future Habitat homes. Sponsorships generate the funding.
Founded in 1976 by the late Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, the national Habitat organization has local chapters. In Gadsden, it was founded by Steve and Suzanne Scharfenberg.
How does Habitat work?
There are misconceptions about Habitat homeowners, chosen after a rigorous application process. They must make a down payment to cover the first year of insurance and a $600 deposit. They also must repay a 20-year, no-interest mortgage and accompanying insurance and property taxes. Plus, they have to invest 300 hours of “sweat equity” – physical labor put toward their own or other Habitat homes.
“A lot of people think Habitat homes are free,” Meehan said. “They’re not.” She added, “We enter into that partnership with that family. We are partners for the next 20-plus years and beyond.”
She added, “Families are invested. They’re paying a mortgage. They have to buy in.”
Habitat “budget coaches” help Habitat families craft and maintain a budget.
And as for the sweat equity, Meehan said, “Three-hundred hours seems like a lot. But we’ve never had anybody not get their sweat equity hours.”
Sometimes, before the roof is raised on a Habitat home, the organization has to knock down an invisible wall. “There is an aspect of cynicism,” Meehan said. “When you’re buying into a mission, when you’re buying into a goal, it’s hard. These are people that are very low income. They have not had help. They have not had chances. So, you have to break down that wall to get them to fully buy in. And when they do, it’s amazing.”
There wasn’t a drop of cynicism on the Coosa at this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. Powering the all-volunteer effort were two groups of high school students. The Titan Ambassadors from Gadsden City High School and a team of local homeschoolers.
Teams set up colorfully themed tents and provided music and food. The drummer that sets the rowing pace like something you’d see in an old Kirk Douglas movie, dresses in costume compatible with the theme.
The Alley’s ‘Gutter Gang’
The winning team with their Elvis drummer – The Alley, a local bowling alley – featured a tent with girls dressed as 1950s waitresses, who served root beer floats to competitors, volunteers and spectators. “They were so awesome,” Meehan said.
The City of Gadsden sponsored two teams, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Special Programming for Achievement Network (SPAN) program that works to improve the lives of at-risk youths and families in Etowah County.
Kim Back, a longtime Gadsden City school teacher, is the sponsor of the Titan Ambassadors. She tries to impress upon her students the importance of making a difference in their hometown. When getting her kids involved, she looks for organizations that help Gadsden, and that are instantly recognizable on a college application or resumé.
“The concept when they started the dragon boat race, I knew high school kids were really going to be psyched about that. It’s something that excites them.”
In ancient China, dragon boat races sought to appease the gods, beseeching them to soak parched farmlands with rain. On the Coosa, teams want to “make it rain” for Habitat and bring a flood of hope to take a step toward ending substandard housing in Gadsden.
For Meehan, a former banker, events like the Dragon Boat Festival and work for Habitat are, “what I was called by God to do.” And this mix of hope and happiness is what Gadsden is about.
“(Habitat and the Dragon Boat Festival) say everything about Gadsden …. Ultimately, this community wants to build houses to help families.”
She recalled a recent groundbreaking for a Habitat home that is etched in her memory and signifies what the whole program is about. She mingled with people as a concrete truck prepared to lay the foundation. The home’s footings in the red clay muck and the truck were the only signs that a house would soon be there.
“The truck was so much more than a symbol,” she said. “It was the story of this amazing woman. Seeing her and seeing her family there, and they’re just looking. This is going to be her house. Her mom was crying. It was witnessing them and her moment. Her land. It’s her house. They weren’t talking. It was a moment.”
GET INVOLVED
The Gadsden-Etowah Habitat for Humanity affiliate is always looking for volunteers. The learn more about Habitat or to volunteer, call 256-543-1898 or visit gadsdenhabitat.com.
A wife’s birthday gift to her husband now a Logan Martin treasure
Story by Paul South
Photos by Mackenzie Free and David Smith
This is a Pirate Island love story.
Don’t panic. This isn’t one of those cheap, 1980s bodice-ripper novels with Fabio and Morgan Fairchild lookalikes on the cover. After all, this is a family magazine.
This is a love story close to home – not set in Tahiti or Jamaica – but right here on Logan Martin Lake. It’s the story of how Laurie Regan’s birthday gift to her husband Jim turned into a gift for anyone who’s ever visited the 50 by 75-foot Pirate Island, a popular meeting place for families on the lake.
It’s not unusual to catch the marvelous aroma of cheeseburgers – yes, in paradise – or frying fish, or to hear an island song of laughter as children raid the island treasure chest for trinkets.
That’s just the way Jim and Laura want Pirate Island. They own the island, but it’s a gift to all who love the lake.
The view on any given weekend
Laurie’s 2008 birthday present to her husband was not without its challenges, including a summer rain.
“I tell ya, wrapping it was a pain.”
And how did she wrap it?
“Sadly, it was crepe paper. We had a big storm after we got it all decorated.”
President of the Pell City Library Guild, Laurie was discussing Jim with a board colleague. “She said, ‘You know, my husband and I have an island.” As Laurie says, “That’s a conversation starter.”
The two women discussed the island and the possibility of the Regans buying it or sharing ownership with the sellers. But Laurie knows her husband. “An island is a one-owner kind of deal,” she says.
A month later, the unique birthday gift was bought, the deal sealed. It beats the heck out of a tie.
“I always loved the island,” Jim says. “I’d take nieces and nephews out there to go seashell hunting.”
To orchestrate the surprise, Laurie enlisted the couple’s niece, Abby, who was soon to return to college at Belmont. She coaxed her uncle into “one last boat ride.”
The island the day before was festooned with crepe paper and ribbon and balloons. Now, it was in tatters, thanks to a Logan Martin monsoon. But a koozie she handed him rescued the surprise. It read, “Welcome to your island.”
Immediately, Jim Regan dove off his pontoon boat and swam to the island – his island.
“I kissed the beach,” he says. “There was a lot more greenery back then. You could not walk across that island. It was totally overgrown.”
In the years since, the island – and life on it – has changed. And the Regans’ gift became everyone’s joy.
Three barge loads of vines, overgrowth, broken bottles and trash were hauled away – Phase 1 of a simple mission, Jim Regan says.
Palm trees and flowers were brought in along with hundreds of yards of sand and rip rap to protect the island shoreline against erosion. “Let’s try to make everyone fall in love with it,” he says.
And over the years, they have. The Logan Martin community has made Pirate Island a regular summer stop. On a typical weekend, some 30 boats tie up there. On holiday weekends the fleet expands to more than 40 vessels.
The island features a grill, a kiddie pool, palm trees and flowers, a hammock and a treasure chest, filled with trinkets that will, in the years to come, trigger precious, lingering memories. The island’s first chest was a bright orange Home Depot bucket, that would soon be replaced by a metal chest anchored by gold-painted rocks and filled with Mardi Gras beads and other trinkets.
But boys being boys, they’d dig deep in the chest to discover “gold.” And the chest was replaced by a small, metal box, adorned with a three-masted schooner and painted to give the look of weathered wood that’s there today.
In the wake of the toil and sweat invested to bring the island to its treasured state, Laurie Regan points out that sometimes wives give husbands gifts to keep them out of their hair – something like a new set of golf clubs.
Whimsical additions
“(The island) was my equivalent to a nice set of golf clubs, “she says. And Laurie’s gift of love to Jim – and Jim’s labor with others to transform Pirate Island – has turned into a treasure for all who cherish Logan Martin.
“It’s selfish in that you couldn’t possibly see this many wonderful, happy faces and families being together. It’s just a joy to go out and sit on the boat and watch them have such a wonderful time.
“(For kids) it’s a bit of a rest for their parents and they can play … It’s a pleasure. It really is.”
For Jim, Pirate Island is a thank-you gift in return for a blessed life. Pirate Island is the birthday gift that keeps on giving.
“When you’ve been fortunate, there’s a pull to give back. And it does feel good to try to give something back,” he says. “Whenever we run into someone on the island or run into someone who knows something about us and the island, they’re thankful. They’ve had great and meaningful times out there – and boy, it feels good.”
Kyle Anderson of Pell City, owner of Pro Handiman, LLC, has worked with the Regans improving the island and recently finished building a Tiki bar, complete with a thatch roof, and adding more sand and flowers.
He calls the island, “a labor of love.”
And that love, like the laid-back spirit of Pirate Island, is contagious.
Anderson remembers taking his young son, Asher, to the island after catching a 30-pound catfish. He showed him the process of catch-to-table. They fileted the fish and took eggs, flour and cornmeal to Pirate Island for a fish fry.
“I always think of that when I think of Pirate Island,” he says.
The Regans recalled meeting a grandfather on the island, with grandkids crawling all over him with the water and joy flowing over him.
“This is our time,” the grandfather said with a big grin.
It turns out the grandfather had visited Pirate Island many times. But one visit in particular shone like the midday sun.
“The guy asked his wife what she wanted to do for their 50th-wedding anniversary,” Jim recalls.
Her response? “I just want to be on that island all day.”
It’s ‘Hump Day’ night – middle of the week with the weekend clearly in sight.
Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Mackenzie Free Submitted photos
It’s ‘Hump Day’ night – middle of the week with the weekend clearly in sight.
Weeknights can be a bit on the boring side, but not here. It’s Wednesday evening to be precise, and at Birmingham Sailing Club they’ve discovered a new way to make it over the hump and have a lot of fun doing it.
By 4:30 p.m., sailors of all sorts – novices, seasoned pros, kids, parents, all ages – pour out of the clubhouse perch atop a hillside overlooking Logan Martin Lake. They rig their boats, hop aboard and set sail for the starting lineup of the Weeknight Fun Race Series.
There’s no mistaking this race for a weekend version at the club. Saturdays and Sundays are intense as sailors compete to up their points in national standings.
Children join the fun
in this series
The only points on Wednesdays are for participation. Even dogs and guests get counted during the five-week series. Bring a dog onboard, that’s a point. Bringing a guest? That’s a point for the host and the guest.
“The focus behind the Wednesday-night program is keeping it fun,” said longtime member David Reich. “It’s all focused on fun. It’s not a competition at all. We even give awards to dogs because they participate.”
It is an opportunity for members who are not experienced to get out there and sail without worrying about getting in the way of a serious competitor and hindering their race.
Weeknight races started in 2021 for the summer, and it was so popular, it returned this summer. Some couldn’t make it on Wednesday nights, so the club offers five weeks on Wednesday, a break, five weeks on Thursday, another break, and the final five weeks on Wednesdays again.
During the breaks they hold shorefront cookouts, a savory recipe for even more fun with people bringing paddleboards and additional family, dogs included. It offers them a chance for gathering around the grill, mingling and getting to know one another better.
Commodore Stan Graham calls the club “150 people’s lake house. It’s their waterfront property.” With more people working from home, the weeknight races give them a break, a chance to enjoy quiet time on the lake, which sees little traffic on a Wednesday night.
Come the weekend, all of that changes. Traffic is up all around, and the club’s races return to their intensity. But for the weeknight series, “we keep it really lighthearted,” Reich said. Music emanates from the committee boat. Kids might take the tiller of their parents’ boat with Mom or Dad as a crewmember. “Nobody cares who wins.”
Reich called the 15 to 20 who participate in weeknight races “a great mix. A lot of women come out on Wednesday nights and quite a lot of kids. They bring friends. They score one for showing up. If they bring a guest, they get two points. We score everybody on board.”
Craig Hennecy of Birmingham, who started sailing three years ago with his son, Craig Jr., said weeknights are welcoming to newcomers. “They feel more comfortable if they know someone is there to rescue them.”
He enjoys his time at the waterfront club and honing his skills when he’s out on the water, making the 45-minute trip to BSC a couple of times a week. “It’s much less expensive than buying a lake house, and I made 150 new friends.”
As for his time on the water, “You try to get better at it, like a golf swing. When you get it right, it’s rewarding.
Craig Jr., now 12, is following in his father’s footsteps, or more accurately, his love of sailing. He began Junior Camp in 2019 at the age of nine. As he gained experience, he started winning races “with this guy,” he said, pointing to his father. Crewing the boat with his father on weekends, he said with a playful smile, “He only wins because of my weight.”
Throughout the summer, you’ll hear stories like those of the Hennecys – sailing the open waters, wind at their back and plenty of laughter. After all, this is Weeknight Fun Races. Everybody’s welcome – member or not. It’s their way of sharing the joys of sailing they already know firsthand. Come and take a ride on a sailboat. They’ll accommodate you. Or try your hand at sailing yourself. It’s all levels coming together for a good time, Reich said. “We like to give everybody a taste of mid-week sailing.”
Kayak, canoe or float your way down some of the most scenic waterways in the region
Story by Graham Hadley LakeLife Magazine archive photos Submitted photos
As warmer weather rolls into Alabama, and the lake levels rise, people take to the water on Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes in droves – ski boats, houseboats, pontoons, tritoons and personal watercraft become common sights.
But for those looking for a quieter time on the water, many turn to myriad creeks and streams that feed the Coosa River. And the boats of choice for many are human powered – canoes, kayaks and paddle boards. Sometimes, you don’t even need a kayak or canoe – a good inflatable float and a lazy day drifting along the currents is a great way to pass the time.
Whether you are just looking for a great way to get around and get some exercise, cruise parts of the Coosa and its tributaries not accessible to power boats, or even take part in competitive fishing tournaments – the options are endless.
A number of businesses have cropped up over the past few years that cater specifically to the paddle and float crowd, providing rental boats and equipment and transportation for you and your paddle-craft to some of the most beautiful parts of the lakes and streams.
Several things to keep in mind – many of the businesses that cater to the paddle-and-float crowd are seasonal and affected by everything from the weather to high demand, so it is always a good idea to call ahead and make reservations.
And like anything involving the water, make sure you have all the safety gear you need – life preservers in particular. Other important items to have on your gear list include waterproof cases for cellphones, coolers and containers for food, proper footwear and clothing (and maybe a dry change of both for afterwards).
All of the businesses can help get you outfitted properly and answer any questions you may have. If you don’t own what you need, they can usually rent it to you – and in some cases it is provided at no additional cost with your boat rental.
Many of these businesses have multiple access and takeout points on the water, depending on how long you want to be out and what kinds of boating you are looking for, from lazy winding rivers to a variety of whitewater excitement.
Yak tha Creek
Located in Ashville, Yak tha Creek specializes in renting kayaks on Canoe Creek and providing drop-ins and transportation for people with their own gear. Canoe Creek is rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations for kayakers, with miles of beautiful nature to be seen all around.
You can find Yak tha Creek on the side of the U.S. Highway 231 at the bridges near the downtown square in Ashville. The business works on a reservation basis, and access to the water is dependent on the time of the year, weather conditions and water levels. Aside from the rental fees, there are nominal fees for transporting your own boat and getting it in the water.
The best way to keep up with water conditions and availability is on their Facebook page. They can be contacted by phone at 205-612-2292.
Like most of the paddle and float rental and transportation companies, there is a waiver requirement.
Voted as one of the best kayak companies in St. Clair County by Discover St. Clair Magazine’s readers, Yak tha Creek continues to be a big tourism draw for the region.
Big Canoe Creek Outfitters
Another business that offers kayaking, plus camping and concerts, Big Canoe Creek Outfitters is located at 6545 Alabama Highway 23 in Springville.
They offer single and double kayak rentals and can shuttle your boat to the water for you.
Big Canoe Creek Outfitters is getting ready for the 2022 season, expecting to open in early May – weather permitting. You can keep up with hours and events and water conditions on their Facebook page or call 205-427-3989.
In addition to their kayak business, they have campsites on the property and play host to some great outdoor music events.
Big Canoe Creek is becoming one of the more popular destination points, so checking on availability, especially holidays and weekends, is a must.
Big Wills Outfitters
Big Wills is a full-service kayak and canoe outfitter that also offers rentals on Big Wills Creek, which feeds into Neely Henry.
Located at 2881 Wesson Gap Road, Attalla, they offer single and two-seat kayak and canoe rentals and can shuttle your own boat to the water as well.
Off season, October through March, is by appointment – on their website, bigwillsoutfitters.com, and on their Facebook page with information about rental availability and water conditions as well as information on some of the kayaks and other gear they sell. They can be reached by phone at 256-538-3226.
When the weather is right, and the water is perfect, demand for rental kayaks can be high, so they recommend calling ahead for availability and reservations.
And when it comes time to buy your own boat, for fishing or just fun, they are more than happy to make sure you get exactly the right kayak or canoe to meet your needs.
Floating Fun
Floating Fun gives you access to Choccolocco Creek, another beautiful stretch of water that feeds into the Coosa River and Logan Martin Lake.
Located in Oxford, Floating Fun specializes in tube floats down the creek, with multiple exits available.
They say you can “expect rocky shoals, some quick currents, remote beauty, and an enjoyable tubing experience.”
They have a minimum two-person, two-tube rental requirement. You start the float at their business, located at 1741 Priebes Mill Road in Oxford. They pick you up at one of the take-outs and return you to the business. While walk-ons are accepted based on tube availability, they strongly recommend making reservations – two days ahead for weekends and holidays, and they have a minimum age requirement of 5 years old.
For all the rules and any questions about availability, reservations, refunds and rainchecks, Floating Fun has a comprehensive website, floatingfun.net. They are a seasonal operation, opening the first Thursday in May and generally running through the middle of October.
They provide special cooler tubes that can carry 50 pounds of food and gear.
Choccolocco Kayak
For those looking to paddle on Choccolocco Creek, Choccolocco Kayak offers a great one-and-a-half to two-hour trip.
Also located in Oxford, Choccolocco Kayak takes you to their put-in near Cider Ridge Golf Club. The takeout is at the kayak rental facility, located across from Choccolocco Park entrance at Leon Smith Parkway and Boiling Springs Road intersection.
You can rent single and tandem kayaks (along with all the necessary gear like paddles and life jackets) or bring your own kayak. You must be at least 18 years old to rent kayaks and be at least 8 to paddle your own kayak. Children younger than 8 have to be in a tandem kayak with an adult.
Like most similar businesses, they are open seasonally and operation hours can be affected by the weather, water levels and demand. They recommend calling or texting to 256-835-7821 for additional information. They also have a Facebook page with updates on special hours, last launch times and other information.
Talladega Creek Resort
Talladega Creek is a long, lazy river that flows through much of Talladega County and offers some beautiful natural scenery. Talladega Creek Resort has campgrounds and cabins at their headquarters at 760 Lake Whitland Drive, Talladega, in addition to kayaking and tubing.
Again, the business is seasonal and dependent on water levels and weather. They require at least 24-hour notice for kayak reservations. You can rent kayaks, tubes and cooler tubes, and they have all the other gear you might need for a day on the creek. And, of course, you can bring your own gear and pay the launch fee.
They ask that you drop off all your passengers and coolers and other equipment at their launch site, 100 Cedar Springs Road, Munford, to wait while you come to the main campground office to pay and park. They will then shuttle you to from the campground to meet up with your group. Takeout is at the campgrounds.
The resort has a variety of beautiful rental cabins on the property and RV and camping spaces for people who want to make a weekend – or longer – of it. There is a two-night minimum on cabin rentals from April until November and on holidays. Single-night reservations are available during the off season. They are also a pet-friendly business.
You can find out more about their rules, hours and rates on their website, talladegacreekside.com. Their phone number is 256-362-9053 and prefer to be contacted by text. You can also follow them on Facebook for the latest updates on hours and water conditions.
GadRock
Looking for some open-water paddling on the Coosa? GadRock, located in Gadsden, is a large indoor climbing facility that also offers stand-up paddleboarding, complete with special tours Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Paddleboarding is growing in popularity and is more suitable for the calm of the lakes because, unlike canoes and kayaks, you stand on what is essentially a large surfboard and paddle your way across the water. In addition to being a great way to see the shoreline areas of the lake, its also a great way to exercise.
GadRock, 1403 Rainbow Drive, can be found online at climbgadrock.com and on their Facebook page. You can reach them by phone 256-312-8185.
Gadsden’s Black Creek becoming a fly-fishing hotbed for rainbow trout
Story by Paul South Photos by Mackenzie Free Sumitted photos
Frank Roden, it seems, always has a ripping good fish tale. Roden, an expert fly angler and Rainbow City antique dealer known as “the guy with the tie” on the trout streams of St. Clair and Etowah counties, has a great story that illustrates how fly angling has taken off in the area, particularly in the Black Creek Gorge and the streams near Noccalula Falls.
A fly-fishing instructor endorsed by the iconic outdoor brand, Orvis, Roden has seen folks from multiple states fly fish, thanks in part to the City of Gadsden’s restocking efforts, now in its third year on Black Creek.
“There was a man from Hattiesburg, Miss., who was coming to the area and stopped to fly fish one day and once he fly fished it, he we went back home and returned a week later with his family of four in an RV, rented space in a local campground and stayed for a week with his family to fly fish and to visit the Greater Gadsden area,” Roden says.
While the man fished, his family shopped on Broad Street in downtown Gadsden, along with buying the basics – food and fuel.
“He said he would definitely be back to visit because of the things that he saw and the things he and his family were able to get involved with while he was here,” Roden says.
Frank Roden stocking the creek near Noccalula Falls
He’s heard a creel full of stories like that, of anglers coming from the Gulf Coast and southern Florida to fly fish. No longer would they have to travel to the Appalachian waters of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina.
“They said (Gadsden) puts them four hours closer to trout than they were before, Roden says.
The Mississippi fish tale is poetry to government and tourism officials in Gadsden like Hugh Stump, executive director of Greater Gadsden Tourism. For the past three years in November and May, Gadsden has restocked Black Creek with rainbow trout, an iconic North American game fish prized by fly anglers around the world.
Most recently, the city put 1,000 10 to 14-inch rainbows into Black Creek, where the trout season runs from Nov. 15 to May 31. According to an independent economic impact study commissioned by the Greater Gadsden Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, overnight visitors who come to the area to fly fish spend an average of $110.72 per person, while day-trippers spend $50.52 per person. The city realizes more than $6.50 return on investment for every dollar spent promoting fly fishing.
The annual stocking and promotion efforts benefit anglers from Etowah, St. Clair, Jefferson and other nearby counties, who now have fly fishing close to home.
“The idea behind the stocking was to create another amenity for people who are visiting the area,” Stump says. “But it’s also an amenity for people who live here. The (local) Rainbow City Fly Fishing Club has a lot of members, and they don’t have to drive to Georgia or North Carolina anymore to fly fish, so it’s in their backyard.”
The Rainbow City club returns the favor by assisting the restocking effort on a volunteer basis.
Another economic aspect, according to the study, is that 49% of respondents who fly fished Black Creek have a household income of $100,000 or more. And environmental tourism gives Gadsden another lure in its economic development tackle box.
“Ecotourism, like wineries, breweries, fly fishing, that kind of stuff is sustainable. It’s natural,” Stump says. “You don’t have to build a building … It’s there. It’s natural. And we’re just amplifying it for people to enjoy it. That’s what we’re trying to do here in Gadsden.”
He added, “We’re not trying to do just ecotourism. It’s just one facet.”
Gadsden City Councilman Kent Back says the effort has boosted the economy, not just by fishing, but in the city’s revitalized downtown district. While anglers fish, their spouses and children browse in local shops and dine in local eateries.
“We know that’s happening,” Back says.
The city also built cabins near Noccalula Falls that Back says are “really, really nice and moderately priced.
“When you’re in those cabins, you think you’re in Gatlinburg,” Back says.
Child fishing for trout
While a trout permit and an Alabama fishing license are required to fly fish for trout in Black Creek Gorge, anglers will also be able to fish for other species as they always have.
“Technically, fishing of any sort is not allowed in the gorge,” Stump says. “The only way you can fish in the gorge is with a City of Gadsden trout permit and a State of Alabama fishing license. But we’re not busting people’s chops if they’re just fishing for their dinner, because we don’t have any way to really maintain and police that.”
Black Creek offers unique challenges for fly anglers, Roden says. A small stream, the waters are canopied by trees along its banks. Reading the currents can offer a fun puzzle for anglers to solve. And the area is slowly becoming a hotbed for fly fishing. Along with Black Creek, the nearby Sipsey River – Alabama’s only year-round trout fishery – are increasingly popular.
“The interest is building daily,” Roden says.
Roden would like to see the Alabama tourism officials take a page from one of its past efforts, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. A fly-fishing trail would also boost the economies of Alabama’s smaller towns.
“I would like to see a fly-fishing trail developed in Alabama, much the same as the golf trail,” he says.
Roden is one of the area’s most fervent fishing evangelists. “Fly fishing is more than about fishing,” Roden says. “It’s a way of life.”
And along with the economic and environmental benefits, fly fishing Black Creek catches another intangible – joy.
And the colorful catch brings more than just a trophy fish. “Everybody who catches a rainbow has a smile on their face,” Roden says.
