Opens: Rainy Day 1 on the Alabama River

A soggy Day 1 of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 presented by Allstate begins on the Alabama River.

A soggy Day 1 of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 presented by Allstate begins on the Alabama River. This pool of the Alabama River is actually the confluence of two rivers, the Tallapoosa and the Coosa. In this gallery, we explore the Coosa River.
A soggy Day 1 of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 presented by Allstate begins on the Alabama River. This pool of the Alabama River is actually the confluence of two rivers, the Tallapoosa and the Coosa. In this gallery, we explore the Coosa River.
The Coosa River enters the Alabama River through two dams, Jordan Dam and Bouldin Dam.
The Coosa River enters the Alabama River through two dams, Jordan Dam and Bouldin Dam.
We start off just below the Bibb Graves Bridge in Wetumpka.
We start off just below the Bibb Graves Bridge in Wetumpka.
Anglers work their way deep into the shallow rocks south of Jordan Dam.
Anglers work their way deep into the shallow rocks south of Jordan Dam.
Many of these rocks are under water when Alabama Power generates at full capacity.
Many of these rocks are under water when Alabama Power generates at full capacity.
The high-water marks from strong current are evident on cypress trees...
The high-water marks from strong current are evident on cypress trees…
bridge pilings and rocks.
bridge pilings and rocks.
Anglers hunt down Coosa River Spots, a strain of spotted bass native to the area and known for their size and fight.
Anglers hunt down Coosa River Spots, a strain of spotted bass native to the area and known for their size and fight.
The rain starts to fall early here on the Coosa.
The rain starts to fall early here on the Coosa.
Jamey Caldwell works the bank of the Coosa.
Jamey Caldwell works the bank of the Coosa.
There's plenty to fish around.
There’s plenty to fish around.
We spot Stephen Browning...
We spot Stephen Browning…
but he's on the upriver side of this underwater rapid and we decide to ease back down the river and catch up with him later.
but he’s on the upriver side of this underwater rapid and we decide to ease back down the river and catch up with him later.
Current breaks are key, rocks, trees and letdowns litter the banks of the river. Giant spots tuck in behind these current breaks and wait for a meal to wash by.
Current breaks are key, rocks, trees and letdowns litter the banks of the river. Giant spots tuck in behind these current breaks and wait for a meal to wash by.
A lot of times in this area, there's one way in and one way out.
A lot of times in this area, there’s one way in and one way out.
Chunk and wind up here long enough and eventually you'll run into a trophy spot.
Chunk and wind up here long enough and eventually you’ll run into a trophy spot.
Easing back under the Bibb Graves Bridge.
Easing back under the Bibb Graves Bridge.
Anglers fish their way along in the current.
Anglers fish their way along in the current.
The Wind Creek Casino towers over the Coosa.
The Wind Creek Casino towers over the Coosa.
As we make our way down the Coosa we run into David Walker.
As we make our way down the Coosa we run into David Walker.
Walker says the morning's slow so far, but if we want to find some boats there are plenty in the canal that flows into the river from Bouldin Dam. So we head that way.
Walker says the morning’s slow so far, but if we want to find some boats there are plenty in the canal that flows into the river from Bouldin Dam. So we head that way.
On our way, we encounter a boat or two.
On our way, we encounter a boat or two.
Brandon Lester blows by.
Brandon Lester blows by.
Some anglers work the bank of the main river channel.
Some anglers work the bank of the main river channel.
As we turn into the canal, we don't have to go far to meet a boat or two.
As we turn into the canal, we don’t have to go far to meet a boat or two.
A cast goes out.
A cast goes out.
Co-angelr Phil Thalheimer pulls one from the well to show off.
Co-angelr Phil Thalheimer pulls one from the well to show off.
A chunky spot for Phil.
A chunky spot for Phil.
All smiles as he hunts another one down.
All smiles as he hunts another one down.
...
Gary Clouse cleans his bait as we ease up.
Gary Clouse cleans his bait as we ease up.
Clouse, working slow and steady, has one so far.
Clouse, working slow and steady, has one so far.
Co-angler Dalton Darnell working too.
Co-angler Dalton Darnell working too.
Clouse keeps his line tight, waiting for the bite.
Clouse keeps his line tight, waiting for the bite.
Not going to happen here, time to make a move.
Not going to happen here, time to make a move.
Clouse and Darnell suit up.
Clouse and Darnell suit up.
Time to fire the engine...
Time to fire the engine…
look both ways...
look both ways…
and roll out.
and roll out.
Andrew Slegona eases by.
Andrew Slegona eases by.
...
Slegona makes a cast.
Slegona makes a cast.
Several anglers running up and down the canal.
Several anglers running up and down the canal.
...
Slegona prepares another cast.
Slegona prepares another cast.
The canal is getting packed. Not many anglers with this much green in front of them.
The canal is getting packed. Not many anglers with this much green in front of them.
On to the next angler.
On to the next angler.
Josh Cook makes a cast.
Josh Cook makes a cast.
Here comes J Todd Tucker.
Here comes J Todd Tucker.
The Classic Champ Casey Ashley on the scene.
The Classic Champ Casey Ashley on the scene.
Several more coming.
Several more coming.
Derek Remitz rolls through.
Derek Remitz rolls through.
The rain starts to fall...
The rain starts to fall…
and Ashley suits up.
and Ashley suits up.
...
...
The rain picks up a bit.
The rain picks up a bit.
Ashley flings a cast out.
Ashley flings a cast out.
Mostly just casting for Ashley this morning. Only one in the box so far.
Mostly just casting for Ashley this morning. Only one in the box so far.
The canal is getting crowded.
The canal is getting crowded.
Josh Cook...
Josh Cook…
continues to fire away.
continues to fire away.
We're all about tired of this rain.
We’re all about tired of this rain.
Luke Clausen runs by...
Luke Clausen runs by…
being chased by Chad Grigsby.
being chased by Chad Grigsby.
A few anglers fishing near the waterfall.
A few anglers fishing near the waterfall.
But these guys don't look to be competing in the Open today.
But these guys don’t look to be competing in the Open today.
Beautiful scene.
Beautiful scene.
...
Co-angler Daniel Douglas makes a cast...
Co-angler Daniel Douglas makes a cast…
and waits patiently.
and waits patiently.
Some anglers move a little further off-shore.
Some anglers move a little further off-shore.
And that's the end of the line for this side of the Coosa, Bouldin Dam.
And that’s the end of the line for this side of the Coosa, Bouldin Dam.