2011 – Neely Henry Event
Neely Henry Lake Event, Aug. 18-20
Known for its diversity, Neely Henry Lake on Alabama’s legendary Coosa River will round out the season Aug. 18-20 as the pros seek the PAA Angler of the Year title and qualifying berths in the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.
Neely Henry is the second impoundment on the Coosa River and offers a trio of opportunities for anglers. The upper end is riverine, with small cuts, boulders and steep channel ledges. In the midlake area, tributaries such as Canoe Creek and open water in Minnesota Bend provide spotted and largemouth bass with ample habitat. The lower end near Neely Henry Dam is littered with rocky points and a few areas with docks and smaller creeks.
“There will be enough room to spread out and fishing will be tough but good that time of year,” said Skeeter pro Matt Herren of Alabama, who has fished the Coosa chain for years. “Neely Henry is capable of producing some big catches and it should be a solid tournament. I always look forward to fishing on the Coosa River lakes.”
Neely Henry Lake has about 11,200 acres and 339 miles of shoreline. It is approximately 77.6 miles long, with a maximum depth of 53 feet at the Neely Henry Dam. More than 6,600 square miles encompass the drainage area into the lake from surrounding counties in Alabama and Georgia. Neely Henry Dam was the first built on the Coosa River in the late 1950s and 1960s as part of a program by Alabama Power Company for flood control and hydroelectric power generation.
This will be the second time the PAA Tournament Series has visited Neely Henry Lake. Todd Auten of South Carolina won in April 2009 in the PAA’s inaugural season. The second day of the tournament was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms. Auten finished with a two-day total of 31.02 pounds.
Hosts:
The City of Gadsden: http://www.cityofgadsden.com/
Parks and Recreation Department
Tournament Headquarters and Registration
Bass Pro Shops – Leeds, AL
5000 Bass Pro Blvd.
Leeds, AL 35094
Phone: 205-702-7500
| Registration: | |
| Wednesday, Aug. 17 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. (CDT) |
| Bass Pro Shops Meet & Greet and Seminars | 5:30-7 p.m. |
| Pre-Tournament Meeting & Observer Pairings | 7 p.m. |
Regular Store Hours
Mon-Sat 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tournament Launch Ramp:
Coosa Landing
200 Lake Street (Access through Huff Drive)
Gadsden, Ala. 35901
(256) 549-4677
Weigh-Ins:
Lakeside at Launch Area: Aug. 18-19, 2011
Leeds Bass Pro Shops: Aug. 20, 2011
View PAA – Neely Henry Event in a larger map
Recommended Lodging:
Best Western • 205 Enterprise Drive, Gadsden, AL: 256-570-0569
Day’s Inn • 1612 West Grand Ave., Gadsden, AL: 256-442-7913
Hampton Inn • 129 River Road, Gadsden, AL: 256-546-2337
Local campsites:
Noccalula Falls Campground, Noccalula Rd./, POB 267 Gadsden, AL, 35902: 256 543-7412
River Country Campground, One River Road, Gadsden, AL, 35901: 256-546-5211
License requirements:
A valid Alabama fishing license will be required for this event and can be obtained at:
http://outdooralabama.com/licenses/
Additional fishing information:
An interactive lake map can be obtained at:
http://neelyhenry.uslakes.info/Maps.asp
Local Weather Quick Link:
http://www.accuweather.com/us/al/gadsden/35901/city-weather-forecast.asp
Additional community information:
Gadsden is a beautiful city in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With mountains, lakes, the Coosa River and Noccalula Falls, Gadsden is the perfect place to live, raise a family and retire, while you enjoy relaxation, historical and scenic sites, cultural events and all sorts of entertainment and activities.
Gadsden is located in Etowah County and is the county seat. The city was named for Col. James Gadsden, a distinguished soldier, diplomat and railroad president. Etowah County was created by the Alabama legislature on Dec. 7, 1866, and originally was named Baine County in honor of Gen. David W. Baine, a Confederate soldier from Lowndes County. The county was abolished on Dec. 1, 1868, by the Constitutional Convention and re-established on the same day, under the name of Etowah, which is from the Cherokee language.
Outdoors enthusiasts can find a wealth of activities in Gadsden, including watersports and fishing on Neely Henry Lake along with birdwatching, camping, hiking and mountain biking in the mountains a short drive away. For shooting enthusiasts, the state-managed Etowah Public Shooting Range features opportunities for pistol and rifle on 25-, 50- and 100-yard ranges along with a skeet area.
