Alabama blueline bassin'....

In continuing my quest to catch all of the different redeye bass species, the Black Warrior drainage was next. I met up with ShoalBandit who has been instrumental in my planning for fishing for all these species. Good fishing buddies are hard to find, so I appreciate someone like Jason.

In any of the drainages, I try to find the rockiest and cleanest water I can. That's usually where redeyes are found. This can sometimes require some backwoods driving.



The longear sunfish were spawning, so they were colored up nicely.



It didn't take long to find what I came for. Micropterus warriorensis is checked off the list. These fish have all the usual redeye bass characteristics, but differ from all others in that they don't have a tooth patch (or if they do it's very small) and have an orange-tint to the dorsal, anal and caudal fins.




This water was prime redeye habitat, and it was definitely full of them.



Smaller specimen:



The stream got rockier and rockier. And the fishing improved considerably.



Especially when I came to this.



My 3wt was perfect for this stream and especially spots like this.


http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P6180865_zpssoisgbmj.jpg[img]


After one cast next to a big boulder, a couple of pops, and BAM! Nicest one of the day and definitely made the trip worthwhile.

[img]http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k534/mrl0004/P6180818_zpshqgkha3b.jpg


Streamside sights...

Edible? Thought they might be red chanterelles, but wasn't sure. I left them alone.



This little guy just landed on my reel.




Finished off the day with a local brew:



And some Korean:




This day goes down as one of my all-time favorite redeye bass outings. I'll definitely be back! But first, I have 2-3 more species to check off the list!

Man! Beautiful creek, and beautiful fish! I'm copying this to the fly fishing forum.

I woulda went with the tempura, though.

Oh, and you need to call Safelite.

That was a super cool write up right there. Good stuff man!

Awesome,congrats!!!

Awesomeness for certain!

NCHillbilly said:

Man! Beautiful creek, and beautiful fish! I'm copying this to the fly fishing forum.

I woulda went with the tempura, though.

Oh, and you need to call Safelite.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Since the post involved fishing, fly-fishing, and kayaks, it could have gone into any number of sub forums. I tried to go more general.

I do need to get that windshield repaired...

That's just cool as can be!

The Pale Ale is my favorite. Beautiful land and water. Nice trip.

That's awesome!!!!

That is my kind of trip, from start to finish!

Man i miss GA.

That is fantastic. Mighty fine scenery!!

That is so cool! Blueline bassin!

what county were you in. just curoius.

Blount County.

What tributary were you guys on? Looks like it might be worth planning a trip to Bama, that place is beautiful.

I've seen this post elsewhere...I enjoyed just as much the second time!

Great pics Matt! I didn't take many but here's a few more...






This was a little more my speed...

I would have had to add some time spent swimming to that trip. Otherwise it looks about perfect. Congrats on marking another one off.

Add that one to my to do list. I will find them. That's the easy part. Catching???..That's the question.