Early Summer 2026

Finishing the Redeye Slam and beginning to work in color

There are four different Redeye variants in Alabama - this one is endemic to the Coosa watershed. These fish only live in beautiful places.

Tyler and I wading several miles upstream in the Upper Cahaba for Cahaba Bass. This time of year, the only place to be is in a cool stream.

Follow the foam…

Sometimes it’s good to take a break and let the pool cool off, then cast in ten or fifteen minutes. No better thing to do while you break than eat some wet sandwiches.

A nice spotted bass for the size of water we were on, but we still saw some that were bigger. Still, this was a great joy on this 4wt locally made bamboo rod by Jim Upchurch. Pic: Tyler Shaddix

When I approached the headwaters of the Sipsey Fork, I began to tear up. The fishing wasn’t stellar, likely because I insisted to fish top water early in the morning, but just two or three Warrior bass made this arduous trek worth it.

My mom texted me and asked if I could shoot in color. “I love your BW but not everyone sees it the way we do.” I think she’s completely right so now I am including color in my work. Thanks for the feedback, Mom.

Trey is a striper professional. These 5-40lb gulf strain fish used to migrate all the way to the midwest before the rivers were dammed. Now they converge in schools around varying obstructions. Trey took me out on a very unique experience that he only knows how to do on the Tallapoosa. It is rare for someone to push my limits on adventure, but Trey did.

As we approached the spot, I asked, “Trey, are those rapids? Or?” He said “No dude, those are the stripers jumping!”. It looked like someone was dropping large rocks all over the river as they ate top water.

Another innocent human now addicted to fly fishing. God speed, Tyler.

Signature blue cheeks of Micropterus Coosae

After our striper adventure, Trey and I stumbled upon the most chanterelles I’ve ever seen. Trey even got to make striper and chanterelles for Father’s Day.