Opens: Rainy Day 1 on the Alabama River

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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.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The Coosa River enters the Alabama River through two dams, Jordan Dam and Bouldin Dam.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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We start off just below the Bibb Graves Bridge in Wetumpka.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Anglers work their way deep into the shallow rocks south of Jordan Dam.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Many of these rocks are under water when Alabama Power generates at full capacity.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The high-water marks from strong current are evident on cypress trees...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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bridge pilings and rocks.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Anglers hunt down Coosa River Spots, a strain of spotted bass native to the area and known for their size and fight.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The rain starts to fall early here on the Coosa.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Jamey Caldwell works the bank of the Coosa.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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There's plenty to fish around.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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We spot Stephen Browning...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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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.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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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.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A lot of times in this area, there's one way in and one way out.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Chunk and wind up here long enough and eventually you'll run into a trophy spot.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Easing back under the Bibb Graves Bridge.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Anglers fish their way along in the current.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The Wind Creek Casino towers over the Coosa.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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As we make our way down the Coosa we run into David Walker.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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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.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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On our way, we encounter a boat or two.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Brandon Lester blows by.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Some anglers work the bank of the main river channel.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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As we turn into the canal, we don't have to go far to meet a boat or two.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A cast goes out.

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Co-angelr Phil Thalheimer pulls one from the well to show off.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A chunky spot for Phil.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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All smiles as he hunts another one down.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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...

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Gary Clouse cleans his bait as we ease up.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Clouse, working slow and steady, has one so far.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Co-angler Dalton Darnell working too.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Clouse keeps his line tight, waiting for the bite.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Not going to happen here, time to make a move.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Clouse and Darnell suit up.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Time to fire the engine...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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look both ways...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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and roll out.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Andrew Slegona eases by.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Slegona makes a cast.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Several anglers running up and down the canal.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Slegona prepares another cast.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The canal is getting packed. Not many anglers with this much green in front of them.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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On to the next angler.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Josh Cook makes a cast.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Here comes J Todd Tucker.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The Classic Champ Casey Ashley on the scene.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Several more coming.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Derek Remitz rolls through.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The rain starts to fall...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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and Ashley suits up.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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...

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...

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The rain picks up a bit.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Ashley flings a cast out.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Mostly just casting for Ashley this morning. Only one in the box so far.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The canal is getting crowded.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Josh Cook...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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continues to fire away.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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We're all about tired of this rain.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Luke Clausen runs by...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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being chased by Chad Grigsby.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A few anglers fishing near the waterfall.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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But these guys don't look to be competing in the Open today.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Beautiful scene.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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...

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Co-angler Daniel Douglas makes a cast...

Photo: Shaye Baker

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and waits patiently.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Some anglers move a little further off-shore.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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And that's the end of the line for this side of the Coosa, Bouldin Dam.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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