Sports, Sports Columnists
 By  Joseph Gallagher Published 
7:58 am Saturday, May 15, 2010

Water safety big issue as summer approaches

Please boating on area lakes will be heating up the next couple of weeks, and safety on the water needs to be everyone’s main priority.

I can’t tell you how many times I have seen the rules of the road be violated, on the water.

Most of the time when these violations occur, the boat operator doesn’t even know he made a mistake.

Please be careful out on the water but, more importantly, please avoid the people that are ignorant of the boating laws in Alabama.

You can refresh your knowledge of the laws at www.boat-ed.com/al/index

Fishing tips

Changing weather throughout the past few weeks has been the story when it comes to fishing. I have been able to catch fish on top water baits and the next day, after a cold front they are down in eight to 12 feet of water.

I would suggest spending more time early in the morning and late in the evening fishing.

As the water continues to warm into the mid 70-degree temperature — and warmer — the middle of the day bite have slowed.

Joseph Gallagher is the Outdoors Columnist for The Franklin County Times. He can be reached at naloutdoors@gmail.com.

Also on Franklin County Times
Copy that: Using ham radios to traverse the world
Franklin Living
Story by Brady Petree | Photos by Dan Busey 
May 6, 2026
Whether it be a tiny island in the Indian Ocean, a global superpower or a country with only a few thousand inhabitants, Russellville resident Christop...
Baseball gave Austin Bohannon confidence. Music gave him a voice.
Franklin Living
From the mound to the mic
Story by Brady Petree | Photos by Dan Busey 
May 6, 2026
Austin “Bo” Bohannon did not set out to be a musician. In fact, for much of his early life, music was something that existed on the sidelines. It was ...
Jeff Strickland chases fractions of sections, not fame
Franklin Living
From Red Bay to the winner’s circle
By Maria Camp camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 6, 2026
Jeff Strickland has spent most of his life chasing fractions of a second, but he has never chased fame. “I’m not a glory seeker,” Strickland said. “I ...
The sky turned black, and he lived to tell it
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Brady Petree, Addie Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — By the time April 27, 2011, arrived, Rodney Smith had already grown accustomed to the warnings. For days, sirens had gone off across F...
EMA warns: Don’t rely on storm sirens
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County EMA Director Mary Glass said outdoor warning sirens should not be residents’ primary alert system during severe weather...
Ex-principal recalls lost students, teacher
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
SEARED IN THEIR MEMORIES
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — On the morning of April 27, 2011, Phil Campbell Elementary School (PCES) Principal Jackie Ergle was aware of the threat of severe weat...
West Elementary hosts Careers on Wheels
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — West Elementary students climbed into concrete trucks, explored emergency vehicles, and learned about skilled trades during the school’...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *