Cooling Water Blues
Filed under: Observations — admin @ 8:24 am
The hot topwater action of during the heat of the summer has dwindled. Late summer rains have brought the river levels up to normal early fall levels. Smallmouth are begrudgingly taking clousers, flashdancers, various wholly buggers, strip leeches (black and/or white) and crayfish patterns. The higher water means you must adjust your location strategy, often fishing the same rocks that were totally exposed a few weeks prior. A thermometer helps determine the level of activity you can expect and how fast or slow to present your offerings. On fall fishing trips, especially multi-hour floats, I always bring a spinning rod and will throw jigs and plastics or GULP, if the flies come up short. At times the fish will gleefully snarf the jig, but ignore your feathered creations. There’s still many beautiful autumn days ahead to catch fish as they begin to prepare for the winter. Remember river fish will instinctively search for deeper water this time of year. Also don’t forget about the frog migration, happening somewhere near you!