06/24/2026
I ask Matthew Robert Lewis to write something about this particular fish, before I met Matt I had never knew of this species of bass, I thought this would be interesting to share.
Matt’s words;
I just received my Tallapoosa Bass carving from Steve Shaner, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
This fish was one of many encountered during a float with Rowell Guevarra of East Alabama Fly Fishing while gathering photos for my Alabama Fly Fishing book. Over the years, I've caught many Tallapoosa Bass over 12 inches, but this particular fish stood out because of the incredible vibrant blue coloration throughout the entire fish.
Steve's talent is remarkable. His portfolio includes stunning carvings of trout, bass, turkeys, and other wildlife, and his artistic abilities extend well beyond carving into beautiful paintings and other forms of artwork. What's especially impressive is that although Steve has never seen a Redeye Bass in person, this is the second bass carving he has created for me—the first being a Coosa Bass.
These hand-painted wood carvings are more than artwork; they're reminders of some truly memorable days on the water. Both the Tallapoosa Bass and Coosa Bass represent 12.75-inch fish—true trophies among these unique upland black bass species.
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