The Long-Awaited Return Of Fox Mountain Trout Farm

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

Having grown up around her grandparents’ trout farm, Cheryl Daffron is no stranger to fishhooks, trout streams, cleaning fish, and chatting with visitors who quickly become friends. This summer, Daffron and her husband, Drew, were delighted to reopen the family business after it closed about 15 years ago.

Daffron’s grandparents, Burton and Rhonwyn Kenimer, were both teachers who later ran a motel and grocery store in Rising Fawn in the days before I-59. Delivering groceries, Burton became familiar with the Deer Head Cove area and found a picturesque piece of property that featured a pre-Civil War cabin and a cave. Because Allison Creek emerges from the cave, Kenimer saw the potential for a rainbow trout farm where families could enjoy an easy fishing experience.

A tributary to Lookout Creek, Allison Creek comes up from the ground about 100 feet inside the cave, and it leaves the cave at 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold, clean water and the proper pH levels created by the limestone is the perfect environment for rainbow trout. (Most sources state that rainbow trout thrive in mid-40 to mid-60-degree water.)

As Drew explained, “We’re lucky that the water is so cold. It goes back to Cheryl’s grandfather’s foresight: He knew what the resource was and knew what he wanted to do with it. Without his vision, we wouldn’t be here today.”

The Kenimers bought the land in the 1960s, built their home, and prepared for the business. Kenimer planted bamboo on the property to be used for the visitors’ fishing poles, and to this day, the Daffrons make cane poles from that bamboo field. Fox Mountain Trout Farm first opened on July 4, 1970; this summer is the 54th year since it first opened.

Daffron’s parents, Robert and Dian Kenimer, eventually took over the business and passed it down to the Daffrons in 1995 after Dian’s death. The business continued to have great success, but the Daffrons decided to close so they could focus on raising their children, Jesse Daffron and Jodi (Daffron) Wheat. Jesse and Jodi were involved in extracurriculars, and Daffron taught at Davis Elementary School, but once the kids were grown, the thought of reopening the trout farm took hold.

Recognizing that they live on a beautiful property with a rich natural resource, they wanted to once again share it with visitors. Over the last three years, the Daffrons prepared to reopen, and Fox Mountain Trout Farm began welcoming guests again this Father’s Day Weekend.

Daffron’s has many fond memories of her childhood at the trout farm. “We lived in Rising Fawn, and I wanted to be here all the time with my grandparents. Us grandkids were always running around, playing in the creek, helping people fish. We’d help them take the fish off the hooks, help my grandfather feed the fish, clean the fish, and weigh the fish. There was always something for us to do.”

The Daffron’s kids had similar experiences, and they still enjoy coming home to visit when they can. Drew said, “It was good for them growing up here and becoming familiar with all kinds of people and being friendly.” Daffron added, “It was really special to be able to raise my kids here.”

The younger generations continue to learn from their elders, and the Daffrons hope that one day, their children might continue the family business. Daffron’s childhood taught her plenty about the business, and Drew learned a lot from Robert and continues to seek out his father-in-law’s input. The couple laughed, “You also learn by trial and error, with a lot of error. Now, when our kids ask questions, we can tell them the reason we do this or that.”

Still living in Rising Fawn, Robert is often at the farm providing a helping hand, and he’s thrilled to see the business reopened. Drew said, “I’m constantly asking him questions. We do some things differently than we used to, but he likes our ideas.”

The two biggest changes from 15 years ago are that the business now accepts credit card payments and social media plays a new role in promotion. The Daffrons intentionally didn’t promote the reopening much because they wanted time to adjust back into the flow of the business, but they also didn’t need to.

“In less than a month’s time, one Facebook post created almost 1,100 followers,” explained Drew. This first post on May 25 was shared 45 times, and word spread rapidly around the area, creating a steady flow of visitors. Many locals were delighted to hear that the farm was reopening.

Because of the farm’s long history, people who once came with their parents or grandparents are now bringing their own children to the farm. “It really starts to put things in perspective of how long this place has been here,” Drew said. “We’re getting to see people we haven’t seen in a long time, and we’ve made new friends.”

Since the reopening, the Daffrons have listened to people share stories of fond memories from years past. Some of these memories include people who are no longer on this earth, making the farm an especially meaningful place to some.

The Daffrons have also appreciated seeing photos on social media of the meals visitors have made with their fresh catches and hearing from friends and family who live across the country and can’t make it to the farm.

The “Chattanooga Times Free Press” published an article on July 14, so the Daffrons anticipate more guests from Chattanooga and beyond. Back in the day, people came from all over, some for day trips from places like Dalton and others for longer trips from places like Florida.

When the Sentinel visited, Megan, Davis, and Nora Hasty from Smyrna, Ga. were enjoying their time fishing. Megan explained that the family bought a vacation home on Lookout Mountain after her husband discovered McLemore. They heard about Fox Mountain Trout Farm from locals.

She said, “I heard it was generational and the kind of business I want to support.” Nora added, “We love fishing,” and Megan clarified that the kids especially love catching, and they had already caught five trout in the first ten minutes. They appreciated the kid-friendly fishing experience (although they’re no strangers to more challenging fishing adventures) and plan to return.

Currently, the farm buys full-grown rainbow trout from a North Carolina hatchery to stock the stream, but they plan to return to raising the fish from a young age. Like in years past, trout will be raised in one channel while guests fish out of the other, with the channels swapped each year.

The farm also used to host field trips, but for the time being, they aren’t hosting any large groups. The family has fond memories of annual pre-kindergarten field trips. Daffron recalled that students estimated how big their fish would be as a school assignment. The teachers then measured each fish while also keeping the youngsters from ending up in the water or stuck by a hook. “It was quite a process!”

Like many other local farms and small businesses, the family balances other jobs. In his time running the farm, Robert worked at the post office, and now, Drew is a quality manager at Heil in Fort Payne, Ala. Daffron is at the farm full time, Drew helps when he’s not at work, and Jesse often helps on Friday mornings.

Daffron enjoyed working at Davis, but she thrives being at the farm full time. “I’m a people person,” she said. Drew added, “We both love it, and our kids do too, but this is really what makes her happy.”

While the farm’s address is 2574 County Road 795, Flat Rock, Alabama, it’s not truly on top of Sand Mountain or Fox Mountain but rather nestled between the two. Those familiar with the Deer Head Cove area may think of it as the Alabama side of Deer Head Cove Road. It’s not far past the state line where the road turns to gravel.

Of the peaceful rural location, Drew said, “We’re five minutes from the interstate, but once you get back here, you feel like you’re 100 miles away from everything. When you get to the dirt road, keep going.”

Keep in mind that the farm follows eastern time, even though the Google listing automatically assumes central. The farm is open Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 1-6 p.m. This year, it will stay open through Labor Day, but in the future, it will open in April and stay open through September.

Bamboo poles are provided along with corn for bait, and no fishing license is needed. Pets and fly fishing are not allowed. The prices are $7.50 per pound of fish with cash or $7.90 per pound with credit or debit. If you prefer, the Daffrons will clean the fish for $0.25 per fish.

Find the farm on Facebook under “Fox Mountain Trout Farm” to stay updated on news and to view photos from the past and present.