This must be the place for fly fishing

Keeping Black Creek stocked with trout is key

Story by Paul South
Submitted and staff photos

Something fishy will be going on at Alabama’s most picturesque waterfall on Black Creek.

New residents – $10,000 worth of future feisty and flavorful trophy size rainbow trout – will make the creek their home.

The restocking is expected to  take place in mid-January. That’s great news for the growing number of fly anglers who flock to the stream every trout season. There’s no need for a long trip to the Appalachians or to the Rockies to catch the legendary fish.  Rainbows are right here at home.

The annual event is a joint collaboration between the City of Gadsden, Noccalula Falls  Park, the Rainbow Fly Fishing Club and Greater Gadsden Tourism. A grant championed by State Rep. Craig Lipscomb, (R-Gadsden) – a fly fisherman himself – funded the restocking effort, which began in 2020.

“When I was first elected, I was fishing in the Appalachians and realized that my hometown of Gadsden had a very similar climate, insect life and water conditions which would likely support trout,” Lipscomb said.

Lipscomb’s legislation provided grant funding to stock the stream below the falls with a few thousand Rainbow trout. He calls the ongoing effort, now in its sixth year, “a tremendous success.”

The trout provide another revenue stream for tourism in Gadsden and the surrounding area for anglers and their families, who visit local hotels and motels, shops, restaurants and other attractions at Noccalula Falls State Park and beyond.

“It’s become an exciting, one-of-a-kind fly-fishing opportunity for people who love fly fishing and want an experience that is rather unique,” Lipscomb said. “Noccalula Falls provides an incredible backdrop due to its enormity, and you have several miles of fishing downstream from there.”

Lipscomb added, “More so, you have all the camping and recreational activities at the falls to create a well-rounded trip that the entire family can enjoy.”

The annual restocking effort has landed a big catch on social media. Some 838,000 views were hooked on Facebook alone in 2025. More than 100  day permits and 91 seasonal permits were purchased by fly anglers last year, said Tina Morrison, executive director of Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. The city gets a big  economic bounce from trout fishing. The falls are located three miles from downtown.

“Just from the permits, that’s about $7,000 that goes back into Noccolula Falls Park,” Morrison said.

The city is also committed to growing the sport. Earlier this year, two fly fishing clinics for kids were conducted at the falls sponsored by Rainbow City Auction and Fly Shop. The shop, co-owned by Frank Roden, provided each participant with a free fly rod.

Fly angler Frank Roden shares expertise with new generation

Roden, an Orvis certified fly instructor, is perhaps  Alabama’s biggest evangelist for the sport. Known as “the guy with the tie,” whose fishing attire always includes a necktie, helped with the annual restocking.

Roden has been part of the restocking effort since the beginning. Drought conditions have hindered the fish in some ways. But there has been natural spawning going on. And fish – about nine inches long – enter the stream and can grow as long as 22 inches, he said. The fish that are part of the restocking weigh about a pound when they enter Black Creek.

If you think that the buzz about fly fishing at Noccalula Falls is just an exaggerated fish tale, consider this:  Representatives from Gadsden had a booth at the East Tennessee Fishing Show in Knoxville, one of the South’s largest such events.

“We go up there and have a booth to talk about fly and bass fishing. We have a banner that says, ‘Bass or Fly Fishing, Why Not Both?’.”

The booth drew a multitude of visitors. “People would come up and say, ‘We had no idea you could fly fish there, or anywhere in Alabama.’”

Roden saw the positive response coming.

“We anticipated this,  that we would have a lot of response and a lot of good fish,” he said. “People are coming from all around. They’re coming from Illinois. They’re coming from Florida. They’re coming from Texas. They’re coming from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina. We’re getting a lot of people and a lot of tourism associated with the fish. And that tourism is bringing a lot to the city.”

But fly fishing is only  part of the story at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground.

“ There’s so much to do there,” Morrison said. “You can really bring your whole family, stay in an RV or a cabin. The campground is  all brand new. Everything is beautiful, gorgeous, and new. And with the fly fishing, we’ve got miniature golf  and a new train that has a wheelchair accessible seat on it. You’ve got hiking trails and an animal barn that has so many animals it doesn’t seem fair to call it a petting zoo. And there are always special events.”

She added, “You could plan your whole vacation and find plenty to do, just at Noccalula Falls, even if you didn’t set foot in any of the other things we have to do.”

Lipscomb offered a word of advice to his fellow fly fishers about Noccalula Falls.

“If you haven’t been there,” Lipscomb said,  “then you are really missing out.”

WANT TO FISH THE FALLS?

Trout fishing is open from Oct. 15 through June 30. Catch and release is in effect until April 1. Harvesting is allowed from April 1 through June, with anglers allowed to keep up to five fish.

NOTE: Residents and non-residents must have a valid Alabama fishing license is required, as well as either a day or seasonal permit to fish at Noccalula Falls A state license can be purchased at Coosa Landing, 200 Lake Street in Gadsden, or online. 

Day or seasonal trout passes can be purchased at the Noccalula Falls Park office near the Kiwanis Pavillion. Costs are $10 for a day pass, $35 for a seasonal pass. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fishing should be done with fly rods only. Limit one line and one pole per angler. Barbless hooks and artificial bait are allowed. Fishing is allowed between dawn and dusk and no fishing is allowed in the pool below the falls. Catch-and-release is required until April 1. This is a new policy. During the harvest season, a maximum of  five fish is allowed.

Catchin’ the Coosa January 2026

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

During the winter, fishing on Logan Martin is the best time to catch the biggest bass in the lake, in my opinion.

The water temps usually vary this time of year because Alabama temperatures vary so much. So, the type of technique you have to use to catch these big bass during this time may vary as well.

Here are a few ways I approach Logan Martin to catch the biggest bass of the year and maybe of a lifetime!

Typically, when you read any article on fishing in the winter, it’s going to include fishing deep most of the time. I’m not saying you cannot catch bass deep on Logan Martin in the winter, but a lot of my bigger fish come out of shallow water in the winter. This is especially true if the weather is in a warming trend.

Most of the time in the winter, I start on the main river. There are a couple of key things I look for in order to feel like I’m fishing the most productive waters. First, there must be some type of baitfish in the area. Second, I’m looking for more vertical structure this time of year.

The baitfish change daily on what part of the water column they may use. Vertical structure allows fish to move up and down easily with the baitfish. A couple of examples of this might be deeper docks or steep river banks with rock and laydowns.

A few of my favorite baits this time of the year are a flat-sided crankbait, a spinnerbait and jig. I usually throw some type of red or crawfish color pattern on the crankbait. This is one of the better baits to use if the water is colder than 60 degrees. The flat-sided crankbait is a great way to get bass to react in cold water.

If the water has a little stain to it, a spinnerbait can be deadly on warmer days. Usually, the spinnerbait works best slow rolling it on the bottom. I generally use a ½ oz. spinnerbait with a single Colorado as the blade.

The type of jig I use depends on water color. If the water is dirty, I will flip a black and blue jig. If the water is clear, I’ll stick with the more natural colors, like green pumpkin.

A jig is a great way to get really big bites this time of year. The new fad, of course, is using forward facing sonar. You can still catch plenty of fish without it this time of year, however, if you do use forward facing technology, this is a great time of year to use it as well.

The first key to success with using forward facing sonar is to find the baitfish. This is usually dependent on water clarity and temperature. You may find the baitfish in creeks or main river. If the water is colder on the main river, that usually will help me cut down on a lot of time since they will most likely be in the creeks.

Most of the time, this bite is better midday to late afternoon as the shad tend to get higher more in the water column. This not only is a great way to catch bass but any other type of fish species, such as stripe and crappie.

Of course, my number one bait while using FFS will be some type of minnow bait on a jig head. I’ll also mix in a jerkbait and Alabama rig. You have to let the fish tell you what they want on any given day.

Traditionally, January and February are not the best for catching numbers of fish. But if you bundle up and brave the elements, you could possibly catch some of the biggest fish in the lake.  

Neely Henry 

 Neely Henry historically is one of the better lakes on the Coosa for winter time fishing. Why? It sets up really well for wintertime fishing.

Neely Henry is full of rip rap banks and vertical bluff walls on the bottom end of the lake. This allows bass to move up and down with ease with changes in the weather and water temp.

Neely Henry also has a lot of docks and flat clay points. These two choices are also great wintertime hot spots.

On the rip rap, I’ll first reach for a square bill crank bait. I keep colors fairly simple. Either I’ll throw a red or some sort of shad pattern. Boat positioning is a big key to success with the crankbait as well. I typically will hug the boat fairly tight to the bank and make repeated parallel casts.

This allows me to cover more water efficiently and keep my bait in the strike zone longer.

My next bait choice is a jerkbait. A jerkbait can be a real good fish catcher if the water is a little clear. I’ll fish a jerkbait around clay points and deeper docks in creeks.

Another great bait at Neely Henry is a jig. The jig probably ranks up there as one of my favorites baits at Neely Henry. The reason I like the jig is because I can fish it around any type of structure. It doesn’t matter – rock, docks, or wood.

If the water is below 60 degrees, a jig will always be my first choice when fishing Neely Henry. Fishing the north end of Neely around the Gadsden region of the lake can produce as well.

If they’re generating water, typically the spotted bass will get stacked in around current areas. Much like the bottom end, they like rip rap and docks.

Another place to look is in the smaller creeks where the baitfish tend to try and hide from the current or colder water. Here, the largemouth tend to hide out and feed up during the winter.

Largemouth, in my opinion, are more of the “lazier” species of the two, and these smaller creek arms are a perfect place to find them. They might not be far from the river, but noticing where the shad or baitfish are will help you find them a lot faster.

Using forward facing sonar helps a lot with finding them. My baits will stay the same even on the north end of the lake. A jig once again will more than likely be my number one pick in order to catch the big fish.

I tend to catch more numbers on the crankbait and jerkbait as well.

Neely Henry is a great place to catch some big wintertime bass. During the winter, get suited up and dress warmly because Neely Henry produces its best quality bass of the year!

Give it a shot, you might be surprised on what you might catch while others are inside or deer hunting.

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.

Thank you, 2025

As we begin a new year and all the rush of busy holidays come to an end, the Coosa Riverkeeper team wants to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in events, volunteered during cleanups, or donated to protect the Coosa in 2025.

Our work is made possible by the folks like you, who live, work, and recreate on the river! We hope to continue inspiring your family and the next generation through educational programs like our workshops, free fishing clinics, and school visits, which reached over 675 kids in 2025. For some children in communities of greatest need, a free fishing clinic is their first time at the water’s edge. This first exposure to nature can be life-changing.

On that note, we also began the very first of our Angler Advocacy Focus Groups! In 2025, we hosted 4 of these groups, collecting information that will help our team better serve communities with fishing resources. Attendees shared honest feedback about their fishing priorities, the challenges they’re seeing on the water, and ways we can make our program even more useful.

Our field team has patrolled the watershed more than 85 times this year and released 15 weeks of Swim Guide data to the public, protecting 5,000 square miles of the river and the communities who rely on the river as the abundant resource that it is.

We also celebrated two exciting anniversaries in 2025: our 15th year as an organization, plus 10 years of our Swim Guide water quality testing program. (That’s 10 years of helping families recreate safely on the Coosa, all summer long.) Although this is just a glimpse of 2025’s achievements and events, we are excited to bring more opportunities to the folks of the Coosa in the new year!

Want to join us as we protect, restore, and promote the Coosa? Visit CoosaRiver.org/Events to sign up today or check us out on Facebook & Instagram!

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Another successful Boo Bash

A day of Halloween fun on Logan Martin Lake

Ever seen creativity afloat? If you made it to Boo Bash on Logan Martin 2025, you couldn’t miss it.

From boats dressed as Pac Man, Creepy Castle and Ghostbusters, creative juices were flowing like Logan Martin Dam when the spillway gates are open.

After party at Tiki Hut

Not to be outdone, docks were in full Halloween regalia with the likes of Pine Harbor Urgent Care, a not-so comforting medical theme of saws, knives, blood and bones.

Little Dock of Horrors was a double deck of ghoulish goblins, ghosts, and grimacing ghouls. And Fear the Pier had boats and revelers approaching with trepidation.

Pac Man boat

And Boo Slough made sure everyone got to enjoy the day. No dock? No boat? No problem. Logan Martin Lake Protection Association and Pell City Parks and Recreation hosted fun, inflatables and giveaways at Lakeside Park, easily accessible by vehicle, boat or on foot.

Now in its fourth year, Boo Bash has grown into a full-scale movement, bringing the entire lake community together in a festive seasonal celebration. And its proceeds go to a worthy cause – LMLPA’s safety program.

Think dock-to-dock trick-or-treating is just for kids? Think again. It’s hard to tell which age group has the most fun. There’s plenty of treats for adults and pooches, too.

Capped off with an after party at presenting sponsor, The Tiki Hut, Boo Bash gets bigger and better every year thanks to the two simple words that began it all – “What if?” The brainchild of Kelli Lasseter and Sonya Hubbard and bolstered by a growing army of volunteers, Boo Bash has now become a Logan Martin tradition.

And the Logan Martin community thanks all involved on an idea well done. See you next year!

Logan Martin Lake pollinator plots

Birds, bees and planting seeds to help the planet

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

This is a story about the birds and the bees.

Parents, don’t panic. This is still a family-friendly magazine, safe for children. In fact, this story is about an Alabama Power initiative that makes the planet better for our kids and grandkids and brings colorful, fragrant beauty to Logan Martin and other Alabama lakes.

It takes a variety of flowers to serve the needs of pollinators

In 2018, the utility began its pollinator plot program at nine sites around Alabama. Two pollinator-friendly plots are located in Double Cove Park at Logan Martin near the dam. The program is part of The Preserves, 65 public recreational sites along the state’s shorelines.

Each half-acre plot was built in the wake of a decline in pollinator populations, notably bees. But a variety of wildlife, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, lizards and bats are pollinators that plants depend on to survive and thrive.

That spread of pollen doesn’t just help flowers to blossom, it impacts the food supply. Each plot is seeded with a custom blend of native seeds specific to each site – a recipe of annuals, biannuals and perennials. Each plot commonly includes milkweed species, black-eyed Susans and goldenrod. The seed mix is created following a soil analysis at Auburn University.

The company partnered with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service in developing the pollinator sites.

“Our goal was to establish pollinator friendly sites at each Alabama Power public recreation site capable of development,” said Garret Parker, Alabama Power team leader on Shoreline Recreation and Compliance.

Goals for the program include:

  • Enhancing existing recreation sites.
  • Protecting the scenic, recreational and environmental aspects of each site.
  • Encouraging stakeholders to enjoy, learn and grow a deeper appreciation of Alabama’s ecology and natural landscape.

The plots have to be redone every five years, Parker said. It generally takes about three months to re-do the plots.

“The wildflowers come back every year, but over time you get a lot of invasive weeds and grasses and sometimes even trees,” Parker said. “They slowly start to get into the plots and out-compete the native wildflowers.”

In late fall, employees plant a wildflower seed mixture that by next spring and summer will be a cornucopia of beauty, color and fragrance – bergamot, black-eyed Susans, blue false indigo, butterfly milkweed, purple cornflower and others.

Fighting off the threats

In the past quarter century, pollinator populations and their habitats have drastically declined, thanks to a number of factors, including pesticides, pollution, pests, pathogens and changes in land use, such as increasing human development, according to the Pollinator Partnership. It is an organization that collaborates with farmers, gardeners, land managers, scientists and industry to improve pollinator populations.

Double Cove Park is home to two Pollinator Plots

Climate change also plays a key role, according to the partnership. The increased temperatures have damaged habitat and the food supply for pollinators, as has extreme drought and an increase in the number of weather-related disasters.

Here are a few examples of how pollinator populations have declined:

  • Several species of native bumblebees, including the common bumblebee, the western bumblebee and the Rusty Patched bumblebee, have experienced a decline in population. Researchers have seen a decline in the geographic range of the species.
  • The number of managed beehives in the United States has declined from  5 million in the 1940s to 2.68 million in 2023, according to USDA statistics.
  • The monarch butterfly population loss has increased from between 35 to 49 percent to 58 percent.

Along with the pollinator plots, the utility has worked with universities like Auburn, researchers, state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to grow the pollinator population, Parker said.

“Alabama Power coordinated with the Auburn University Bee Lab and the Electric Power Research Institute to conduct a multi-year research study on ways to protect pollinator friendly plant species when conducting required vegetation management on utility rights of  way,” Parker said. We also work with state and federal partners and NGOs to protect specific species such as the white fringeless orchid.”

Among the NGOs partnering with Alabama Power is the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The company also supports the Alabama Wildlife Federation and Alabama Audubon Society and their efforts to establish wildlife and pollinator friendly vegetation.

An example of the partnerships is between the power company and Auburn University’s Bee Laboratory. The university uses “citizen science” by encouraging public participation in the National Colony Loss & Management Survey. It’s a “boots on the ground” effort to monitor bee population.

The utility is among a number of partners with Auburn, including the University of Maryland and the USDA.

This past summer, the utility worked with the Pollinator Partnership to sponsor its annual Pollinator Week, a celebration of the birds and bees, butterflies and other animals that go crazy over Alabama wildflowers. Humans like the picturesque plots too.

Why is the program important?  “By prioritizing environmental stewardship,” Parker said, “we’re safeguarding resources and opportunities for future generations.”

Editor’s Note: Community members can find a pollinator plot to host a counting event near them by downloading the free Shorelines mobile app or visiting apcshorelines.com.

Catchin’ the Coosa November 2025

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

opefully, the cooler weather will drop the water temps on Logan Martin, and the fish will begin to eat up and fatten up for the wintertime.

November and December are my favorite months to fish on Logan Martin, and I hope my tips will help you become more successful during this time of the year.

Remember, there are a few things happening during these months. First, the lake should be at winter pool which condenses the fish into a smaller area. However, don’t forget winter pool for Logan Martin now is three feet down unlike previous years when it use to be five feet down.

The new winter pool level has changed the way I’ve fished Logan a little. 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’re 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. You find the baitfish, the bass won’t be far behind. A small damiki rig and deep diving jerkbait are some of my favorite ways to catch them. Also, a square-bill and spinnerbait are a couple of great choices when covering shallow points or channel swing banks.

I mainly focus on the main river with these two baits. Typically, the banks with deeper water nearby are my favorite. During this time of the year to get a bigger bite, I am fishing a jig. This is especially true in the latter part of December when the water temp is below 55. It also helps if the lake has a foot of visibility or less.

These two months on Logan Martin offer anglers a lot of options to catch fish many different ways. The fish are getting fat, and there is less boat traffic, so go enjoy some fish catching action. 

Neely Henry 

Neely Henry is also great late fall/early winter 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 that are some of my favorite places to fish.

Rain totals usually dictate where I spend the majority of my time fishing. If there has been a lot of rain, typically, Alabama Power will be generating water. This is when I will focus on main river points and docks.

A couple baits I always start out with are 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 back into the creeks.

Usually, I want to be in the region of the creek where I feel like most of baitfish action is taking place. 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 temperature. Once I find that, I’ll heavily depend on my forward-facing sonar and pick off bass that are maybe chasing bait in creek channel bends or just off the banks.

I’ll use either a damiki rig or jerkbait, depending on where the fish are in the water column.

Another way to catch fish once the water temp is 55 degrees or lower are in creek mouths. I fish the smaller creek mouths with either a squarebill crankbait or jerk bait depending on water color.

Another great choice is a bladed jig or spinnerbait. My bait choices really depend on the water color.

To find the most productive creek mouths, look for shad. The shad will keep fish there in the same general area until they decide to leave. Over the years, I have found that the colder mornings are, the more the shad will congregate together in the creek mouths.

This is when the bass will feed heavily in the creek mouths. It’s an easy meal for the bass as they fatten up for the winter months.

Keep your lure choices simple and keep moving during these two months and find that special spot where the fish are most active. The fish can change by the hour or even minute on this particular body of water.

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.

Ways to get involved

Coosa Riverkeeper is getting ready for a few events near Logan Martin Lake this November! Check out the events near you to participate in fun activities for kids, fishing groups, and more! Sign up and learn about Coosa Riverkeeper & our events by visiting our website below.

C.R.E.E.K. Birds & Wildlife of the Coosa – Join Coosa Riverkeeper & Anniston Museum & Gardens as we team up for a fun day of learning about native bird species on the Coosa, a chance to meet some special birds, crafts, and more! We can’t wait to soar the Coosa with you on Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit our website below to sign up and learn more! (Limited spaces available)

Coosa Riverkeeper Angler Focus Group – Calling all Logan Martin anglers! Join us Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St Simon Peter Episcopal Church, 3702 Mays Bend Road, Pell City, to talk all things fishing around the Coosa! We will provide dinner and a free gift for attending and participating in our focus group. RSVP sign up is required. Sign up today on our website!

Volunteer Cleanup at Highway 77 Boat Ramp – Keep the Coosa River clean with us! Jump it at Highway 77 boat ramp on Nov. 22, at 8 a.m. All materials are provided by Coosa Riverkeeper. We will have water, sports drinks, and snacks! An exact location will be sent to volunteers who have signed up! 

Want to join us as we protect, restore, and promote the Coosa this Fall? Visit CoosaRiver.org/Events to sign up today!

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Get ready for the Great Alabama 650

Paddle race returns this October

They call it the world’s longest paddle race and at 650 miles across Alabama’s waterways, it is one of the world’s toughest endurance races, too.

Only 47 percent who start the race at Weiss Lake in Alabama’s north even make it to the finish line at Mobile Bay’s Fort Morgan, underscoring the resilience and sheer determination it takes to complete the grueling trek.

The Great Alabama 650 Race returns Oct. 4-14, embarking on yet another adventure that draws fans up and down Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes as paddlers head further south.

It takes paddleboard, canoe and kayak paddlers along the core of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, which sets a couple of records on its own as the longest river trail in a single state and the longest national water trail.

Great Alabama 650 first-place finish

Traditionally, paddlers arrive in Gadsden on Neely Henry in the nighttime hours of Day 1 and reach Logan Martin on the morning of Day 2.  From whatever vantage point fans can find with a view of main channels, a growing base of fans watch each year as paddlers make their way along the lakes.

Popular spots in Gadsden are along the riverwalk at Coosa Landing. Logan Martin tends to watch from lakeside homes or near the portage at Logan Martin Dam.

Or, they keep up with each racer’s progress on a live map on the race’s website, alabamascenicreivertrail.com/great-alabama-650. You can even volunteer for an even closer view and personal experience by registering on the website.

Racers have 10 days to complete the 650-mile course, but the 2024 male solo winner, Trey Reaves, finished in 7 days, 3 hours and 20 minutes. It was back-to-back wins for Reaves, who finished the 2023 edition in 6 days, 1 hour and 31 minutes. Record time was set by West Hansen in 2021 with 5 days, 19 hours and 9 minutes.

Ryan Gillikin was the female solo winner in 2024 in 8 days, 18 hours, 37 minutes. From the race’s inception in 2019 through 2023, Salli O’Donnell won all of them, setting the record in 2021 of 4 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes. O’Donnell has become a fan favorite on Logan Martin.

There’s also a two-person tandem team category, too, with Jessica Nance and Candi Hill capturing the 2024 title in 8 days, 22 hours, 35 minutes. The record is held by Paul Cox and Joe Mann at 4 days, 17 hours, 4 minutes in 2021.

They weather rain, wind, sun and fluctuating temperatures, from rushing whitewater to river deltas – all in hopes of completing this grueling race with prize purses worth $2,000 each. They’ll quickly tell you it’s not for the money, it’s the challenge.

So, grab your binoculars or find a closeup, waterfront perch and enjoy the race. It’s not just an adventure for the paddlers, it’s a lake life event you won’t want to miss.

Boo Bash 2025

Signature lakewide event to be even bigger and better in 2025

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

Boo Bash, one of the lake’s fastest growing and most popular events, is back for its fourth Halloween celebration of costumes, candy and camaraderie for trick or treaters of all ages.

Boo Bash 2025 is set for Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 4 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, Oct. 12 from noon to 4 will be the makeup date.

More than 1,500 people participated in last year’s festival of frightful fun, an increase of more than 50 percent over a drought-stricken 2023.

For newcomers who have never participated in the fall event, lake residents decorate their docks and welcome a trick or treat fleet of boaters and their costumed crews. And, taking a page from the 1959 movie Godzilla, Boo Bash will also make mischief on land and water. Boo Bashers can gather at Lakeside Park, where restaurants and other sponsors also get in on the fun.

Don’t panic. While the giant amphibian wanted to destroy Tokyo, Boo Bash remains committed to building a better, safer, stronger lake community. Proceeds from the event will again go toward helping the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association fund solar-powered buoys – “BOO-ees” in Bash lingo  –  to be placed in shallow water to protect boaters.

Last year, Boo Bash raised enough money to fund 10 of the beacons. So far in the program, LMLPA has placed 70 buoys on the lake.

The 2024 event drew a big crowd, even while going one-on- one with an Alabama football game. “It actually went really well,” said Kelli Lasseter, who along with her partner Sonya Hubbard, leads an ever-growing corps of Boo Bash merry pranksters. “We made the decision to move it back to Sunday because it did interfere with so many of the children’s fall sports. There were also some safety concerns from last year that we hope moving it back to Sunday can help resolve. Safety is priority number one.”

Tiki Hut at Rivers Edge teams up with the LMLPA to put the event together

Boo Bash is again teaming with the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, The Tiki Hut at River’s Edge and the City of Pell City. As of this writing, a sponsorship drive was underway.

For the first time in 2024, the event featured a land component and that, along with the Tiki Hut open in what’s normally the off season, last year was unique, Lasseter said. Tiki Hut, a wildly popular summertime stop, usually closes for the season on Labor Day. But in 2024, it opened for Boo Bash and will do so again in 2025.

“Having Tiki Hut open was really cool, as was the addition of the land stop,” Lasseter said. CEPA also got into the spirit on Pirate Island with a theme that would make Blackbeard raise the Jolly Roger. They will be back in 2025.

Another fun new partner will be the Logan Martin Duck Hunt, which has had folks scavenging the lakeshore for numbered rubber ducks. Lasseter hopes the quackers will attract new Bashers from the upper part of the lake and its sloughs.

The  year-round scavenger hunt is another treat in the Boo Bash Halloween bag, boosting the event’s mission to build community.

“We are really excited to partner with the Logan Martin Duck Hunt. A scavenger hunt has been on the list for awhile and this was just a perfect way to make that happen for everyone.” Lasseter said.

Stacy Deegan, co-creator of the hunt, is excited to be joining the Boo Bash spook-tacular.

“Boo Bash stands alone as being a significant event for lake residents and friends of the lake,” she said. “We are honored to be asked to collaborate with the organizers.

“Incorporating the Logan Martin Duck scavenger hunt with Boo Bash just adds a little bonus activity and gives the participants more to look forward to and enjoy,” Deegan added.” You can’t have too much fun, can you?”

Neal Stephenson, president of the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association, said the association’s work to place the hazard buoys began in 2019, and the partnership with Boo Bash began last year.

“I think the partnership that our organization has done with Boo Bash has given our organization more visibility on the lake,” Stephenson said. “It’s increased our ability to donate more buoys to this program because our funding is based on volunteer donations. Because of this partnership with Boo Bash, we were able to accelerate and increase the number of buoys we have to donate to the lake.”

Stephenson is excited about the possibilities for Boo Bash 2025 and the LMLPA’s drive to place 100 buoys on the lake.

“If we have another year this year like we did last year with Boo Bash – between that and our own donations – we should be getting close to our goal,” Stephenson said.

Even in the sweltering July heat, momentum for the Fall’s Boo Bash was mounting, Lasseter said. “Excitement is already building. People are reaching out to us – new people who want to host a pier and our incredible host piers that continue to come back every year,” Lasseter said.

An example of the buzz? One new lake family doesn’t have a pier yet but plans to decorate their pontoon and float it out to greet revelers with treats.

Lasseter hopes Boo Bash and its stories will have a long life – a Halloween treat for generations on Logan Martin.

“I hope that Boo will continue to grow in this community and bring people from all walks of life together long after we’ve passed the torch to someone else.”

Events like Boo Bash and the duck hunt and places like Pirate Island are needed, Lasseter said, especially in tough times like today.

“It’s so important to take a break from the heaviness of day-to-day stuff,” she said. “To have just one day not to have any worries or cares and be able to tap into imagination and fun is everything to so many. Letting go of those worries for a few hours and enjoying the moment is something I love.”

Boo Bash sends a clear message, Lasseter said.

“What an amazing community we have on Logan Martin Lake. How selfless the people are to give hundreds of dollars of their own money to make this event happen,” Lasseter said. “I hope everyone walks away with smiles and memories. Oh, and bags full of wonderful treats!”

And as far as what Lasseter hopes people will remember about Boo in the years to come? Well, she had this to say. “When they think about Boo Bash, I want them to remember the fun they had but more importantly, I want them to remember the amazing people on this lake who made it all possible. Logan Martin is a very special place and Boo Bash is just one example of our residents’ hospitality and generosity. I am not sure you find this everywhere, but you will always find it here.”

Editor’s Note: For more information about Boo Bash on Logan Martin Lake, visit its Facebook page at Boo Bash on Logan Martin or email them at boobashonloganmartin@gmail.com.   

Catchin’ the Coosa September 2025

Pro fishing tips on Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake with Zeke Gossett

Logan Martin

As the weather starts cooling off, and we move into the fall time of year, a lot of changes start to happen on Logan Martin. One of the main things that every year is the Fall turnover.

This is where the lake begins to lose oxygen out in deeper water. You can even see the thermocline on your 2D sonar and downscan. You will begin to see shad starting their migration to the backs of the creeks and usually the bass will follow.

This happens especially once the nights begin to get cooler. On top of this, the winter drawdown begins to happen on Logan Martin. Last year, the water level only dropped three feet compared to the usual five in prior years, which is the new winter level.

This time of the year can be a very tough time to fish, but hopefully these tips can help you get a jump start to find fish quickly.

Typically, I fish predominately shallow water. When I say shallow, I mean anywhere from 10 feet or less of water. I’m usually looking for docks, brush and grass for my three main pieces of cover on Logan Martin.

Usually, I will try to start in the grass, especially in the earlier part of September. The first rod I’m going to reach for is a frog. The frog, in my opinion, is probably one of the best ways to get your better than average bite this time of year. Another good option would be a buzz bait.

Once the sun starts to get up, I’ll kind of shift my focus to the docks and brush. There are a couple of rods I reach for this time of year when fishing docks and brush. When the water temp is still in the 75-degree plus mark, I’m usually reaching for the neko rig. The fish are still usually pretty finicky this time of year. This is a great option for getting these fish to bite when they’re not in the biting mood.

Once that water temp gets under 75, that’s when I’ll reach for the jig. The jig is a very versatile bait this time of year. You can fish it around brush and docks. I might even flip it in grass and lay downs as well.

While the early fall time of year can be some of the toughest times to fish on Logan Martin, it can be the most rewarding if you figure them out. Keep it simple this time of year, and you will find success.  

Neely Henry 

 September and October can be a very tricky two months on Neely Henry Lake. The fish are starting to feed up for the winter and especially after the first few cool nights we have.

I really like to focus on docks and grass just like Logan Martin. Typically, I’ll focus on the back half of the creeks this time of year. You also want to make sure there are baitfish in the area.

Most of the time the baitfish will be up near the surface of the water column. So, make sure you keep an eye out for schoolers this time of the year as well.

The Fall turnover is usually right around the corner or is already happening at this point. What that means is the oxygen levels in deeper water are beginning to get very low. The shallow water tends to have a lot more bass activity due to food and oxygen levels. This is why the baitfish tend to be near the surface.

When fishing the docks, I will typically start on the shallower docks. When I say shallow docks, I’m talking any docks five feet or less.

Don’t be afraid to try deeper docks as well. The deeper docks will sometimes get overlooked by a lot of fishermen. This allows fish to use every bit of the water column if they choose to. They can either stay shallow or move deeper, if they please.

A few baits I like to try in these areas are either the neko rig or jig. These two baits give me options throughout about every depth. If it is cloudy and windy, I tend to reach for the buzzbait and cover a lot of water. If it’s more of a slick calm sunny day I like to pitch and flip the jig around wood and docks.

Lastly, another great place to try and find a bigger bite is in the grass. The frog early in the morning is great way to get a bigger than average bite. Once the sun gets high, don’t be afraid to flip the jig as well. You will not get many bites typically doing these techniques, but the ones that do bite will be better than average.

One last tip on grass, do not be afraid to fish super shallow this time of year. Sometimes the fish on Neely Henry get so shallow you can almost see their fins, and the bigger fish will sometimes be in just inches of water.

Give these tips a try and keep your fishing simple this time of year. Fall time is all about trying to find activity. Fish tend to move around a lot but don’t let that fool you.

Keep your bait selection simple and keep covering water, and you will find success.

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.