http://www.rimshoals.comAngling Publications - IndexAngling Publications - Magazine - IndexFALL RIVER
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UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER
UPPER KLAMATH LAKE
SO. FK. SNAKE RIVER
TRUCKEE RIVER
GREEN RIVER
LAKE POWELL
BITTERROOT RIVER
FISH CREEK
CASTILLA RIVER
ARKANSAS
NORTH PLATTE RIVER
SPEARFISH CREEK
ESPIRITU SANTO BAY
ST. CROIX RIVER PERE MARQUETTE RIVER
FRENCH CREEK
LOWER MOUNTAIN FORK RIVER
MERAMEC RIVER
ALABAMA
BIG MUSKEGO LAKE
WHITE RIVER
LITTLE RIVER CANYON
VENICE
KANKAKEE RIVER
SUGAR CREEK
SMOKY MTN. NP
ELKHORN CREEK
• Little River Canyon
• Rainbow City Fly Shop
SOQUE RIVER
WINOOSKI RIVER
LETORT SPRING RUN
PAMLICO SOUND
SALMON RIVER
CHESAPEAKE BAY
KENNEBEC RIVER
BOSTON HARBOR
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Let’s just be honest—Alabama is probably not even close to the top of most traveling fly fisher’s dream
vacations. Most anglers are more likely to associate Alabama fishing with limb lines and trot lines, not
fly lines. But perhaps you should rethink that idea. Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve,
located in the northern part of the state, about 35 miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee is one of those
rare places with unspoiled, breathtaking scenery, unpolluted water, rugged terrain, and wild fish. The
canyon—12 miles long and 600 feet deep in places—is one of the deepest and most scenic canyons
east of the Mississippi. The river’s long shoals, whitewater rapids, and deep pools would lend themselves
perfectly to trout habitat were it not for the fact that this is a warmwater fly-fishing destination. The
most pursued fish here are spotted, redeye, and shoal bass and various species of panfish. Nearly any
type of fly pattern, from saltwater flies, to poppers, to woolly buggers and other trout streamers, works
well. One reason that the fishing is so good is because there is relatively little access. A road follows the
course of the canyon, but getting to and from the water requires fairly strenuous hikes. Several campgrounds
are located nearby, but camping is prohibited within the canyon itself. Frank Roden at Rainbow
City Fly Shop guides on the river and can be reached at (256) 442-5919. by Carl Warmouth
• White River
• Rim Shoals Resort
CHANDELEUR ISLANDS
BEAUFORT
OAK ORCHARD CREEK
ELK RIVER
While it’s no secret that the White River is one of the nation’s premier trout fisheries, there may be
a few readers who are a bit intimidated by the river’s wildly fluctuating water levels, miles upon miles
of potential fishing spots, and where exactly to start. That’s where Rim Shoals Resort can help. Located
on the White River between Cotter and Mountain Home in the Arkansas Ozarks, three and a half
hours from Little Rock or four hours from Memphis, TN, they have the privilege of claiming the only
commercial accommodations in the river’s Blue Ribbon Trophy Area.
Several different options for riverfront lodging provide guests with the comforts of home. Their fly
shop carries popular flies and hot local patterns. Hiring a guide is, of course, the best way to cut the
learning curve, and the lodge has some of the best licensed guides on the river, offering both float trips
and wade trips, based on water levels. They also offer river taxi service to assist wade fishermen in getting
to and from locations in the catch-and-release area. There is also nearly a mile of undeveloped river bank
that can be used to access the shoals, or you can rent one of their 20-foot Jon boats for a full command
of one of the best runs on the river. A state-maintained public boat ramp is there as well. To learn more
about Rim Shoals, visit www.rimshoals.com or call them at (870) 435-6144. by Carl Warmouth
BARRY & CATHY BECK PHOTO ERIC ENGBRETSON PHOTO