Fish still looking for a good meal

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR — Consensus is: As the water turns, so does fall fishing. This is referring, of course, to a condition called "overturn." This is where the cooler deeper waters rise and the warmer surface waters fall, and the result of the two waters mixing is one temperature and better fishing.

Interestingly enough, fall is a time when a lot of fishermen put away the rods and reels for the season. It should, however, be a time when they simply add another layer of clothing, warmer socks and take on a new approach to fishing.

In the fall, when air temperatures begin to cool, surface waters also cool. When surface waters reach the same temperatures as sub-surface water, "there is a mixing or turning over of the water," explained Roger Wilson, sports fishing coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "As a result, there is a re-oxygenation of the water and fish get a new burst of energy. They become more active, especially trout, and feed more aggressively. This condition also brings more nutrients to the surface."

The cooling of the water also brings fish into shallower waters where they have a better chance of finding a good meal. This condition also brings fish closer to the surface and within a good cast of a good chunk of PowerBait or flashy spinner.

Fish will continue to feed more aggressively in order to prepare for winter right up until surface waters freeze over.

This is also an excellent time to consider hitting the higher Uinta lakes for one last cast. Leaves are still on the trees, the temperatures are not too uncomfortable, and the fishing is excellent. A number of the roadside lakes, like Washington, Trial and Mirror, are still holding good numbers of fish.

Good tackle to use in the fall on lakes are terrestrial patterns such as ants and beetles, mainly because there are fewer hatches, and fish are still looking for good meals.

Good choices for flowing waters are spinners, like Panther Martin and Mepps in copper or brass. Rapalas are also a good choice.

The latest reports from Strawberry indicate the bigger fish have, in fact, started to move into shallower waters. One fisherman reported catching 15 fish in a three-hour period using a combination of flies in whites, reds and blacks. Several of his catches caught in shallower waters were over the 22-inch slot. Fish out in the deeper waters tended to be in the 15- to 19-inch range. Anglers were also having good success using dead minnows.

Following is the latest report on fishing from the DWR: