South
Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River
Live Conditions
Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River — Sipsey Fork near Grayson, AL (Lewis Smith tailwater)
7-Day Flow
↑ Rising
24-Hr Pressure
29.48 inHg · → High/stable
Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory
Water temperature is at or above 65°F. At these temperatures trout are physiologically stressed and have a higher post-release mortality rate. Consider waiting for cooler conditions — early morning or evening — or choosing a tailwater with regulated temperatures.
Local Weather
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
🌤️Mainly clear
93° / 69°
Tomorrow
☀️Clear sky
97° / 69°
Wed
🌤️Partly cloudy
99° / 74°
Thu
🌦️Drizzle
98° / 76°
0.01"
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?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
2
Time of Day
Using: 8.44 CFS · 75°F · Light Cahills tapering; Caddis returning; BWO; Wooly Buggers
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 · September · Early Fall
⚪ No tracked hatches in active range at 75°F — browse the calendar below for seasonal activity
Select month
Light Cahills tapering; Caddis returning; BWO; Wooly Buggers
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
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.
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.
Alabama Tailwater Fly Fishing — The Sipsey Fork
Alabama's only wild trout tailwater — the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River below Lewis Smith Dam, flowing through Bankhead National Forest. How…
Alabama's Endemic Redeye Bass Species
Alabama is the redeye bass capital of the world — three drainages (Cahaba, Tallapoosa, Black Warrior) each evolved their own distinct redeye species…
Alabama Fishing Regulations for Fly Anglers
Alabama's split rule book: the Sipsey Fork stocked-rainbow tailwater in Bankhead National Forest (special creel/size rules, Lewis Smith Dam releases)…