Here’s something to chew on as many of us embrace the first cool blow of September; Fall in the eyes of the average fisherman is quite different than the Northwoods fish.
As anglers we think external thoughts most often visual. We’re quick to call a Fall cycle and anxious to soak bait in sleeting weather. Changing leaves and geese flying in formation over top the fishing boat leave the boys fishing in camo with a priceless grin. Kids are heading back to school to get smart and traffic on most lakes is drastically reduced. Resort owners lick their wounds and start to plan that trip to “Umbrella drink Island”. Family vacations are now nearly over as even the pleasure boaters put away the Jet Ski’s, Water Ski’s and Knee Boards. The fisheries are once again turned over to anglers like you and I. Frankly I look forward to fishing when it isn’t so popular. I get a kick out of doing something that many pass up. I have no interest in big crowds. 2 people fishing a breakline makes me feel a bit crowded.
We open the season Man against fish and close the open water season again………..Man against fish. We’ve started the season centering efforts in relationships to the spawn cycles of our favorite fish. We’ve followed the fish through the spawn and to the most available seasonal food sources. We’ve endured cold fronts, may fly hatches and the Dog Daze of fishing.
Now……as the water begins to cool the man with a pocket full of jigs will look to transition in similiar fashion as he did during the spring cycle, but in reverse marching orders and with a few more variables to consider. I kind of chuckle when guys refer to the fish “Putting on the feedbag”. I’m as guilty as the next guy when it comes to underestimating the appetite of a summer Walleye. THEY EAT…..Eat WELL!! Don’t fool yourself Big Walleyes EAT and don’t take the summer off watching a their girlish figures. Truth of the matter is often times the truly elite caliber fish will relate to slightly different structure and bait sizing than we’re willing to fish.
Then Fall comes……We’re all better anglers. We all have those big fish figured out…….RIGHT?!?! OR……OR….do those elite caliber fish swim right into our wheelhouse. Maybe the same honey holes we’ve murdered those “Lunchers” only weeks ago. So do you really think those fish JUST started feeding heavily anticipating a long winter. I say…..SILLY SILLY. The most available food source in high protein levels that the biggest and baddest seek are pushing into fishable structure. Shiner runs are taking place in small creeks and current. Cisco’s are gearing up for a fall spawn cycle and we the newfound brain surgeons of the Walleye fishing world are here to intercept those “Fall Footballs”.
I ask you to seriously consider your time spent in late September and October watching the “Pig Skin” being fumbled around by your favorite team. Should you be on the water? It all depends I guess…….Do you want a crack at replacing your old PB this season or do you want to crack your favorite beverage as the worlds greatest “Arm Chair Quarterback”.
We get ONE 2012 Fall cycle…..Live it……….No……RIP IT!! 
No Ice – no worries!
