Leaves Falling And Bass Biting

[ozark trout fisher]

I got out today on my new favorite north of the Missouri River smallmouth stream, for pretty much the whole day. I don't know if it is because of drought or because of the cool nights or what, but the leaves are changing colors and falling earlier than I have ever seen them. They are still maybe two weeks from their peak, but there are plenty of yellows and oranges painting the hillsides already, and the little creek was choked with fallen leaves. Let me tell you that there is nothing prettier than a gentle little woodland stream, on a cool but sunny fall day, with and imposing bluff shading the deep slot on the far bank of creek, with yellow maple leaves coating a good part of its surface.

The fishing started off a little slow, but that's just because I was fishing with the wrong stuff. I started off throwing spinners, crankbaits, the usual fast moving stuff that has been working well for me on this creek for the past couple of weeks. Nothing, no follows, no signs of life. Not a good sign, but it's too early in the year for the bass to be turned off, right? Something had to work. I switched methods and tied on a 5" Green Pumpkin plastic worm and before it had made it to the bottom on the first cast a smallie took it. It was small, nine, maybe ten inches, but a very pretty fish nonetheless. About ten minutes later I was into another, slightly larger fish, which turned out to be 12 inch largemouth. As I was trying to land that fish, someone who was walking along a trail that is within sight of the creek saw me fighting it. After the bass managed to work his way off the hook, he came up and told me that he'd never fished before but it looked like fun and he'd be interested in learning. I gave him a brief lesson about how to cast an open-faced spinning set up, and how to fish a plastic worm. Within just a few minutes, I watched him land and release his first fish, a beautiful 11 inch smallmouth. Guy said that he was headed straight to walmart to buy a rod and reel. I must say that it felt pretty good to introduce someone to what is one of the greatest pleasures that anyone should ever have a right to.

After that, I decided to try a little bit of new water further up the creek. It didn't end up amounting to much (just sunfish and a whole lot of chubs), and as I got further away from the public access I was using, I began to feel that I might be pushing my luck a little. This creek may be navigable but I'd say it would be a stretch. Anyway, it was wonderful to get out and fish this little jewel of a creek for a several hours on such a perfect day.

[mic]

Teach a man to fish.....create a monster.