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In this episode of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, host Nick Williams covers two very different (but closely connected) Delta topics with two guests who care deeply about these waters. First, Peter Jordan of The Lost Angler Fly Shop breaks down why late winter into early spring is a sneaky-good time to wade Alabama’s blackwater creeks, how to access them legally and respectfully, and the simple tackle and fly setups that keep you catching while you cover water. Then Nick is joined by Megan Fowler, who explains the fast-moving grassroots effort forming around a proposed large-scale solar development near Stockton and why many locals believe protecting wetlands and headwaters now is critical for the long-term health of the Mobile-Tensaw system.
Conditions Recap
The Delta is sliding out of winter and into an early spring transition, but the water is still cold enough to shape how fish feed and how comfortable wading feels. Peter noted that even on warmer days, the creek water can remain “very, very chill,” making waders or at least warm wading gear a smart move for longer sessions. The bite is trending in the right direction for wade anglers, especially in small creeks where sand bottoms and manageable current let you fish effectively on foot. The big change to watch is not just air temperature, but the steady progression toward spring signals in the woods and along the banks—blooms, bird activity, and that growing sense that the seasonal switch is close.
Wade-Fishing Window with Peter Jordan
Peter’s message was simple: wade fishing in lower Alabama’s blackwater creeks is one of the most overlooked fisheries we have, and late winter into spring is when it starts getting “right” for anglers willing to keep it simple and keep moving. These creeks are often sand-bottomed, wadable, and full of fish-holding features in plain sight. He emphasized that every bend, every seam, and every pocket of slack water off the main current is worth a few casts. If it looks “fishy” but nothing happens, don’t beat it to death—change presentations or keep walking until you intersect active fish.
Right now, Peter said you can catch plenty of fish, but you may not get the full-on chase bite yet. If you’re hoping for constant topwater blowups, you may need a little more seasonal progression. In the meantime, he encouraged anglers to lean into crawfish and bottom-oriented forage. For fly anglers, that means crawfish and streamer-style patterns, including crawfish imitations in the “near enough” category that fish confidently without overthinking it. For conventional tackle, it means simple crawfish-style soft plastics and small creek-friendly lures that can be worked through current breaks without hanging up constantly.
Gear-wise, Peter stressed that comfort and traction matter as much as lure choice. A quality pair of wading boots paired with neoprene wading socks can be a game-changer, especially for keeping gravel out and for staying stable on slick ramps, sand, and mixed bottom. Convertible waders help early in the season because you can roll them down when the day warms up but still stay comfortable when the water remains cold. If you’re getting started, he noted you can absolutely wade in old shoes that drain well, but he discouraged cheap “big box” wading shoes that don’t hold up or protect well. A practical alternative he likes is neoprene dive boots, which can simplify things without needing separate gravel guards.
Peter also recommended basic creek essentials that make fishing safer and more effective: long pants for brushy access routes, amber/polarized lenses for spotting cover and reading water, and a pack system you’ll actually wear (chest pack, small sling, or even an old-school belt-and-box approach). The goal is to travel light, fish efficiently, and cover water instead of camping in one spot all day.
On tackle selection, Peter’s creek playbook stays straightforward. For spinning gear, he likes a 6’ to 6’6” medium or medium-light rod that can throw small jigs and light lures while still having enough backbone for solid fish. In these nutrient-limited creek systems, fish are often opportunistic—if something looks edible and gets in the right lane, they’ll eat it. Productive conventional options he called out included crawfish-pattern crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, small spinnerbaits, and compact jigs like Bitsy-style jigs. Nick also mentioned staples that have put a lot of creek fish on the bank over the years, including Ned rigs and small craw presentations.
For fly anglers, Peter recommended a 5-weight or 6-weight as a great all-around setup for these creeks. As the season warms, terrestrial patterns and poppers become increasingly effective, but right now he’d rather start with streamers and crawfish patterns. No matter what you throw, the theme is simplify, keep moving, and fish the obvious current breaks that hold bass and other species ready to ambush.
Peter also added a conservation note that matters in small, lightly pressured waters: these creeks can feel untouched, but they’re fragile. Harvest can have an outsized impact because it can take a long time for fish numbers to rebound. Catch-and-release (especially for frequent creek anglers) helps keep these spots fishing well. He also encouraged anglers to enjoy these places with friends and family, but to avoid blasting exact locations online—small waters can change fast once pressure spikes.
Access, Etiquette, and Keeping It Legal
Peter walked through a practical approach to accessing creeks responsibly. In Alabama, water access can often be good at road crossings, but the key is to stay respectful: enter at bridges or public right-of-way access points, remain in the creek bed, and do not trespass onto private property along the banks. If you treat landowners and the resource with respect, wade fishing can open up a huge amount of fishable water that most anglers drive past every day.
Stockton Wetlands Watch with Megan Fowler
The second half of the episode shifted from fishing tactics to a local issue that many anglers believe directly affects the future of the Delta. Megan Fowler explained how a proposed large-scale solar development near Stockton has sparked a fast-growing grassroots response. She described Stockton as a small, historic community surrounded by wetlands, feeder streams, and headwaters that ultimately drain toward the Tensaw/Mobile system. Her concern, echoed by many locals, is that large-scale clearing, construction, and runoff could degrade sensitive wetland habitat and the small waterways that feed larger creeks and rivers downstream.
Megan shared her personal connection to the area—growing up in Stockton and spending her childhood in the woods and wet places that many people now worry could be altered permanently. She emphasized that her mental picture of the threatened landscape isn’t just the named creeks, but the network of tiny feeder runs and boggy seepage areas that can be easy to overlook on a map but are central to wetland function. Beyond ecology, she also highlighted Stockton’s historic identity and the community’s belief that the region’s long-term opportunity lies in conservation, outdoor recreation, and heritage tourism—not large industrial-scale development.
For listeners who want to follow the issue and get involved, Megan pointed people toward the community group Stop Solar in Stockton and encouraged supporters to help spread awareness beyond the immediate area. She also talked about moving communication off social platforms where possible by building an email-based update list, and she encouraged people with time and skill sets to volunteer in practical ways—research, outreach, delivering letters, and coordinated communication—so the workload isn’t carried by a small handful of organizers.
Gear and Product Mentions
This episode included a lot of practical gear talk for wade anglers. Key items discussed included convertible waders, wading boots, neoprene wading socks, gravel guards, polarized lenses, and compact pack systems like chest packs for carrying small tackle and essentials. On the lure side, the conversation centered on crawfish-pattern crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits, small spinnerbaits, compact jigs (including Bitsy-style jigs), Ned rigs, and craw-style soft plastics. For fly fishing, Peter recommended 5-weights and 6-weights, with crawfish patterns and streamers now, then shifting toward terrestrials and poppers as the weather and water warm.
