Fall In The Ozarks

[ozark trout fisher]

I am beginning to feel the first autumn chill in the air. I realize it's not really fall just yet, but am I getting excited for it already. Only good things come with the changing of the leaves around here. Brown trout runs on the Current and Meramec. Active stream smallies. The biggest feeding binge of the year for big largemouths. Catch and release season in the trout parks. The end of the aluminum hatch. Deer season. The best scenery of the year. I could go on and on, but I will suffice it to say that I'm really excited for fall to come.

This is my favorite time of the year, and I'm so glad it's getting closer. Anyone else?

[Ämp]

just a bit longer

[Al Agnew]

I've always thought that for the stream smallmouth angler, fall is one of the worst times. From about late September to the end of October has always been my worst time to fish. Gig boats running up and down the bigger rivers half the night seems to put the fish down for half the next day. Leaves on the water make fishing difficult. The usually low, clear water also makes things tougher. The fish are starting to move to wintering holes, and don't seem to hold in consistent places. The fall feeding spree is a myth on many streams.

Ah, but the beauty of fall makes up for the shortcomings! And if the weather cooperates, November can be a terrific month to fish for the big ones.

[RSBreth]

The Brown Trout more than make up for my Fall Smallie slump. I HATE the leaves in the water, makes running any treble-hooked lure impossible.

Love the crisp weather, hunting, and all the fair-weather fishermen hanging it up to watch football or whatever.

[fishinwrench]

The only thing that I dislike about Fall river fishing is having to decide whether to wet-wade, or put on waders. Either way you're going to be uncomfortable for part of the day.

Al, cranking trebles is definately a pain during the leaf period. Do you put away the crankbaits then, or just deal with it ?

For several years I've been deadsticking BIG tubes in the late Fall when the leaves are thick, and it seems to work better then that at any other time. Just pitch it where you think a fish might be, let it settle, tighten up on it, and wait about 20-30 seconds for the bite. If no bite reel it on in and shoot for the next spot. During one trip my buddy did the same with a big single colorado spinnerbait and had fish picking it up while motionless on the bottom. I think a big bait falling vertically amidst all the horizontally moving leaves and debris really gets their attention. Since then I've use a similar technique with heavy overdressed clousers on trout at Bennett when they are running the weedcutting boats and it works on them too. Just show them something thick and meaty, moving in a totally different direction than the floating crud and they jump all over it

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, I put away the multi-hook lures when the leaves are on the water. One of the lures I go to then is a Superfluke rigged the way I always do, texas rigged with no weight. It's easy to fish in the leaves but doesn't always work. When it doesn't, I'll go to the tubes and jigs. I also use a buzzbait at times, it will come through the leaves reasonably well.

[ozark trout fisher]

I've always thought that for the stream smallmouth angler, fall is one of the worst times. From about late September to the end of October has always been my worst time to fish. Gig boats running up and down the bigger rivers half the night seems to put the fish down for half the next day. Leaves on the water make fishing difficult. The usually low, clear water also makes things tougher. The fish are starting to move to wintering holes, and don't seem to hold in consistent places. The fall feeding spree is a myth on many streams.

Ah, but the beauty of fall makes up for the shortcomings! And if the weather cooperates, November can be a terrific month to fish for the big ones.

You would know better than I..... I've always loved the late October bite, especially in the tiny creeks that contain both trout and smallies. The water temps are good, and both species seem to bite well for me at that point. Also, gigging isn't much of a problem in such areas. Of course your just talking about small trout and bass, not very many of either species will top 10".

But mainly, I'm excited for deer season. I'm considering trying a canoeing, deer hunting, and fishing trip this year, probably on a stream stretch that primarily flows through public land. Seems like it would be a fun way to kill a couple days.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I will have to respectfully disagree with you guy's. In my little corner of heaven, autumn is a great time to beat the water. I have caught most of my bigger stringers and my bigger fish in October and November.

I don't put the crankbaits away either. It goes without saying that, yes, it will be more difficult to use them, but oh the rewards for doing so!!!

[Brian K. Shaffer]

8 more days of summer left. Then its official.

We could turn this into a FALL pretty pics FEST.

I know I get to see trees with color on them for the first time of the year - cause I am pretty terribly colorblind. The vivid yellows and reds on the leaves just blows my mind.

cheers, Brian