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Location: 31*45’50.00"N/88*09’28.00"W, Bobby’s Fish Camp

We left Bates Lake early again because we knew we had to transit through the Coffeeville Lock just two miles from our destination after 7 hours of running time. Along the way we went under a unique span lift train bridge. As can be seen in the photo the entire bridge span lifts vertically. We have seen only one other span lift train bridge located in Cape Cod Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Bridge runs over the Cape Cod Canal.

The scenery along today’s passage was in many ways more of the same. That’s not to imply it was boring but it is truly mostly a wilderness scene along the river. Once again we wandered back and forth following the winding path sometimes traveling several miles to only move a mile north. Our apprehension increased as we approached Coffeeville Lock. This would be our first lock on the Tenn-Tom. We’ve been through many locks in the past but this was the first of 18 Locks we would transit on this cruise. We were so focused on doing this right that we neglected to take photos. The lock operator was patient and friendly and the captain and crew worked like a well trained team. We locked through without incident and we now know what to expect for the remaining locks on our cruise. We will be sure to get some images in the next lock.


A few miles after the lock we arrived at our destination for the night. Bobby’s fish camp consists of a 15 X 35 ft. floating dock with a fuel pump on top. The satellite photo shows an extension of the fuel dock. It was reported to be 160 ft. long. When we arrived there was no extended dock. The fuel dock doubles as the overnight tie-up location as well. Persistence is now sipping on sweetwater for the first time and has thoroughly flushed salt water from her cooling systems.

Bobby’s Fish camp is also a restaurant. It is very rustic and original and the main course is fresh caught catfish prepared in a variety of ways. We beat the rush hour and sat down for dinner around 6 PM. Within the next hour the restaurant was full and we were amazed that this back-woods location would have so much business. The people were friendly, the food was good and it was a pleasant evening.