Join host Nick Williams on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report as he welcomes Dr. Matthew Lewis, author of the new book on fly fishing in Alabama.

This episode dives into the best Alabama fly fishing rivers—including the Coosa, Cahaba, and Tallapoosa—essential gear for fly fishing in Alabama, the region's unique biodiversity, effective fly tying patterns, and local spot protection ethics.

Dr. Lewis shares expert insights on targeting diverse fish species across Alabama's freshwater ecosystems, fly fishing tips for all skill levels, and details about his highly anticipated book release. Whether you're a seasoned angler or beginner looking for the best places to fish in Alabama, this episode is packed with Alabama fishing tips.

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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re talking with Steve “Graz” Graziano of Graz’s Guide Service and Hunter Suchsland of LS Lures about the release of their brand-new collaboration—the Graz’s Special jig. Graz has been fishing jigs since the early 1980s and had a color he could never quite get anyone to replicate until he found Hunter’s work. Together, they fine-tuned the design through multiple prototypes to create a hand-tied jig built with premium hooks, balanced skirt layering, and a color pattern that flat-out catches fish.

Hunter explains how the jig blends silicone and living rubber for a lifelike flare and contrast underwater, with amber, copper, and red tones that mimic crawfish, bream, and shiners across the country. Graz shares his on-the-water results, saying the jig’s quality and hand-tied skirt make it more durable and natural-looking than most others he’s used—and it’s already proven to be a big-fish bait.

The Graz’s Special will be available in every LS Lures head style, from football to swim jigs, all designed for anglers to customize to their own preferences. You can grab yours now at LS Lures and check them out on YouTube and social media for more behind-the-scenes looks.

It’s all brought to you—good, bad, or ugly—by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text the word “fishing” to (646) 495-9867 or click the link in the show notes to join our email list. Every Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report subscriber gets a promo code for a free AFTCO sun protection mask with any purchase.

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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re starting off with Jason Bagala—better known to his YouTube followers as Mutha Rippa Outdoors—with the latest from Smith Lake and Lake Guntersville. Jason says the fishing has been tough lately thanks to high skies, clear water, and finicky bass that just aren’t in a chasing mood. On Smith, he’s been finding success by downsizing and getting subtle with translucent baits like the Megabass Karashi, a small lipless jerkbait that can walk just under the surface. He shares how slow retrieves, long pauses, and keeping your distance in crystal-clear water have been key to triggering bites from picky spotted bass. Over on Guntersville, tournament pressure and bluebird conditions made things just as challenging, but he still managed to connect with fish on brush hogs, crankbaits, and chatterbaits around bluff walls and riprap banks. Jason talks about how heavy shad presence can make it hard to fool fish with artificials, why reaction strikes can still save the day, and what lure presentations are working best as fall transitions take hold.

Next, we dive into a technical segment with Peter Jordan of Delta Marine and Outdoors for a deep-dive on building fly leaders for bass. Peter breaks down why most pre-packaged leaders are designed for trout—not bass—and how stiffness, taper, and material type all affect your ability to turn over big, wind-resistant flies. He explains the difference between fluorocarbon and monofilament, when to use each, and shares his simple formula for DIY bass leaders using 25-, 15-, and 10-pound mono for topwater, or heavier fluorocarbon setups for streamers and sinking lines. Peter also talks about the importance of leader length and stiffness when targeting bass that hold tight to cover, along with knot choices like blood knots, perfection loops, and non-slip loop knots for maximum action. It’s a masterclass in customizing your rig for species, water type, and fly size—an episode that’ll make any fly angler rethink the store-bought pack hanging on the pegboard.

It’s all brought to you—good, bad, or ugly—by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text the word “fishing” to (646) 495-9867 or click the link in the show notes to join our email list. Every Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report subscriber gets a promo code for a free AFTCO sun protection mask with any purchase.

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Bucks Island

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