What flies are hatching on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River include Blue-Winged Olive. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

Is the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River fishable today?

Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River is outside its fishable window right now. Flow is 7.81 CFS at the Sipsey Fork near Grayson, AL (Lewis Smith tailwater) gauge. Check back when conditions return to the normal range.

Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River — Sipsey Fork near Grayson, AL (Lewis Smith tailwater)

Unfishable

7.81CFS

Discharge

2.66ft

Gauge Height

54.0°F

Water Temp

Updated 27 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

29.74 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

45°FClear sky

Wind 2 mph29.74 inHg Stable

Normal conditions

Today

☁️

Overcast

64° / 45°

Tomorrow

☀️

Clear sky

68° / 40°

Mon

☀️

Clear sky

71° / 42°

Tue

🌤️

Partly cloudy

73° / 48°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

2

Time of Day

Using: 7.81 CFS · 54°F · BWO

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River · October · Fall

Full calendar →

🟢 Active now at 54°F water

Blue-Winged Olive

🟡 Approaching — within 5°F of trigger range

CaddisMidge

Select month

JanDec

BWO (#18–20); Caddis; Midges; streamer fishing improves

Blue-Winged OliveCaddisMidgeStreamer

🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River

Alabama's only wild trout tailwater, flowing through Bankhead National Forest below Lewis Smith Dam. Cold, clear water year-round supports brown and rainbow trout in a setting of sandstone canyons and hemlocks. The dam releases keep water temps trout-friendly even in summer — rare for the Deep South.

Blue-Winged OliveCaddisSulfurMidgeLight Cahill

Regulations

Sipsey Fork from Lewis Smith Dam downstream 11.5 miles to the Hwy 195 bridge: artificial lures only, 15-inch minimum, 3-fish daily limit. Check Alabama DCNR for current slot limits.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River with more confidence.