fishing

Fayette County resident Cody Nichols says that he has been fishing for almost as long as he can remember, starting as a young boy with his dad Tommy. Those leisurely trips turned into a lifelong love for fishing, and also into a hobby that now is paying big dividends on the pro fishing circuit. Nichols, a 2010 graduate of Fayette County High School, fishes regularly on the Major League Fishing tour. He has fished on the tour for several years, but only qualified recently to fish in the top tier of tournaments on the circuit.

On Saturday, June 13,  Alabamians and out-of-state visitors alike will have the opportunity to fish for free in most public waters, including both freshwater and saltwater. Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 6-14. The event allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing Alabama has to offer without purchasing a fishing license.

As we approach a new year, we pause to take a look back at some of the top stories from the first six months of 2019. January: The body of Ashley Tenniel Watkins, 31, was discovered in Tuscaloosa County on Jan. 2. The woman had been reported missing on Dec. 8, 2018 while visiting a friend in Fayette County. Retiring Fayette County Probate Judge William Oswalt and retiring Fayette County District Judge Jerry Clary were each honored with separate receptions. Each of the men served 30 years in their respective offices.

Those who appreciate wildlife art now have the ability to purchase new collectible licenses with a variety of flora and fauna from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Licenses for Alabama’s 2019-2020 seasons and the new hard cards were available for purchase starting Monday, Aug. 26. Eight different cards that depict a variety of outdoors scenes are available for an extra $5 fee. The art scenes include deer, turkey, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, wildlife heritage with an indigo bunting, sandhill crane, or shooting sports.

After being closed for the past four years, the Fayette County Public Lake had a successful reopening on Thursday, March 28, much to the delight of numerous anglers in the area.
The 60-acre lake had been restocked with bluegill, shellcracker, bass and catfish, and the fish were eagerly awaiting the hooks and baits being thrown into the water by the patrons who had waited so long for the lake’s reopening.