I'm gonna hopefully take my first trip to the sipsey tailrace this weekend and get on some rainbows. Im gonna carry my boys with me and want them to enjoy it as well. I'm gonna fly fish myself but what would be the best setup for the youngin's? Ive heard kernal corn and a bobber and thats all you need. Is that true? Or is there any other setup that would work. And is there any spot along the river to fish better than any other? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

good info!

The few times I have been I caught them on rooster tails. Caught a few on crickets too! Managed a few on a fly rod but don't remember exactly what it was I was using. Guy there gave me some kind of fly and caught some till I lost it.

Thanks man. Ill throw some rooster tails in the tacklebox. I've caught bluegill on a fly but theres just something about catching trout on a fly rod. Even if they are farm raised haha. Mainly i just want to give my boys the best chance to catch at couple and let them enjoy it.

3" floating pins minnow or rapala with a split-shot 18" in front.

Check and make sure they aren't running water tomorrow if they are stay home

Thanks dan we'll have to try that setup too!

Definitely stay home if they running water. We showed up once without checking schedule and it was unfishable.
Those fake trout eggs are good too.

Be careful. I damn near drown out there years ago. We checked the schedule and never heard the horn, but heard the roaring of the water. We sprinted to the shore about the time a wall of water came rushing down and the water rose about 6’ in a matter of seconds.

I rig the kids up with a light spinning reel, 4 lb. ultra clear line (flourocarbon is good) with a small split-shot about 8-12" above a #12 or #14 egg hook and fresh Paulski's red salmon eggs on the hook. You can pick up the hooks and eggs either at the fly shop below the dam, or at the Cullman Walmart. I'd guess the one in Jasper has them too. You'll probably get fresher eggs at the fly shop though. Whole kernel corn from a can, can be just as good as the salmon eggs some days and a whole lot cheaper. I have had better luck just letting this rig drift in the current or rest on the bottom than under a float. If you do use a float, use a tiny one. If you like to use a spinner, a tiny black inline is good. As mentioned stay where you can evaculate quickly.

Listen to this man...

I appreciate all the info guys! And thanks for the warning about the water. I didnt realize it would rise that quickly

I think I'm just garbage at fly fishing, but I never have much luck out there.

Always caught a limit when I went. Homemade garlic/cheese balls, night crawlers, crickets or salmon eggs on a light weight Carolina rig.

I do like getting on bream bed with a fly. Thats about the extent of my fly fishing experience. The say you have to really feel for it when a trout takes it.

another link


Found another link about downstream access. It's been several years since I have been there, might have to go again when it cools off.

Trout putty orange green or yellow, out fishes and stays on the hook better than corn. Have been told trout cant digest corn, it will kill them, dont know if thats true. Use light tackle, longshank bream hook, two pieces small splitshot about 18 inches up the line. Forget about the float, leave them at home. Call and see if the waters on, if it is, stay home, there will be no fishing((800)525-3711). Turn at the bridge on 69, fish from there up. For the kids, find some deep holes to fish in, thats where the fish will be. Again I say, fish the deep water. The river above the pumping station is set up for fly fishing. You will park at the pumping station and walk toward the dam. The kids can fish the deep holes up there if you want to keep them close to you. The earlier the better is what I have found to be true. Good luck.

Thanks jwalker i appreciate it. Should be an awesome trip. I found the riverside fly shop website with a generation schedule and it dont look like they are generating saturday so hopefully we'll make it down there

You can get the trout putty at wal mart or at the fly shop by the dam. Roll it up in a ball about dime size and push your hook into it. Youll like that better than corn or salmon eggs. It does stink a little. Take you a washcloth. A sac chair to sit in is great, the bank will be muddy as crap.

Very cool