Already it is October, bringing us some of the finest fishing days of the entire season.
The factor of water temperature that has proved so troublesome all summer has reversed its effect. The water is cooling. And the fish have regained the appetites they lost during the hot summer months.
It is more pleasant fishing now, for nature has assumed the rich browns and yellows and reds of autumn. The warmth of the sun is welcome.
It is good to be alive — and good to realize that we are able to cap the climax of our whole fishing experiences of this year in the several weeks that lie immediately ahead.
Autumn Fish Like Action
Autumn fish like action in baits and lures. The flashing spoon or struggling plug, the popping bassbug or the crazily darting streamer fly of bucktail — these are prime autumn lures.
The fish are looking for substantial food, that will generate energy and strength in them for the lean winter period that they know by instinct is not far distant. Lures that have lots of action imitate healthy, lively natural fo0d — the kind the fish are seeking.
Now, as never before, the bait angler must use only minnows or other baits that are alive and active. Good fish, the kind the angler ever hopes to hook, never are very much interested in dead, listless bait. They are least of all interested in such washed-out offerings in the snappy, active days of autumn.
Fish High in the Water
Fish are, literally, high in the water these days. No longer do they find it necessary to sulk in the deepest holes and pockets in search of cool, comfortable water.
They prowl the shallows of stream, lake, and pond in pursuit of minnows. They patrol vegetation-bordered shorelines, on the alert for juicy insects that may drop from the foliage to the surface of the water. They venture into the deep riffles and swift runs.
And, what is equally important, they frequent such spots now in the very middle of the day, whereas only a few weeks ago they fed chiefly at dawn and dusk.
Obviously, the successful autumn angler is the one who knows these facts and who thoroughly fishes these natural “cafeterias.”
Surface Lures Effective
Surface lures are always effective in the autumn. A twitching, gently popping lure that three or four weeks ago would have put fish down for hours now will have such an appeal to them that they will travel astonishing distances through the water to investigate and to strike.
One word of caution, however: Stick to the small lures, and in fishing with them use the rod with a gentle hand. Remember that it still is necessary to approach a pool of riffle cautiously, to disturb the water as little as possible, and to avoid the error of thinking that fish throw all their instinctive caution to the four winds just because they are full of pep and have keen appetites.
Speed of the Retrieve
There’s a question that confronts the streamer fly angler at any season of the year. It is whether to employ a fast or a slow retrieve when using this particular type of lure.
Here is a fundamental fact that may help to a proper decision. A streamer fly represents a natural minnow. All the angler has to do is to move it the way a minnow moves: That’s not especially hard.
Minnows along a shore line are restless and dart about. They are nervously alert for the approach of an enemy. When a predator fish does appear, they move with frantic speed. Therefore, the streamer should be retrieved in sharp, erratic twitches when offered to fish feeding along shorelines.
Minnows are almost constantly in motion in fast water, else the current would sweep them away. Here, again, a fast retrieve is indicated.
But these small fish are quiet and apparently at ease when hiding in weed beds and under lily pads. They seem to rely on the greater depth of water and on the vegetation to give them protection. Under such conditions, the streamer fly should be retrieved slowly and deliberately.
Mr. Pike is Back Again
A great autumn favorite is the pike — and the word includes all members of the pike family — from grass pickerel to muskie.
Weed beds which are their favorite haunts are thinning now, and that is a real break for the pike angler.
But don’t expect to find all of them roaming the pond or stream, ranging far and wide in search of food. For members of the pike clan never lose their liking for a spot where they can lie motionless in some protected nook, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to approach.
Make a Trout Survey
If the trout fishing season has officially closed in your home state, here’s a suggestion for an interesting afternoon.
Visit your favorite trout stream some afternoon — leaving your fishing tackle behind, of course.
Bring your comfortable fishing seats to stay awhile and study the riffles and pools.
Don’t worry if you frighten the fish — you’re not fishing anyhow — and you can learn a number of important things, including what sort of carry-over of trout there is for next year.
It’s a fine way to get better acquainted with a stream, to learn the good fishing spots, and to make a thorough inspection of the waters you will fish when spring returns. Knowledge of that sort pays rich dividends in action with rod and line.