Fall fishing — Colder season is great time for angling

It's that time of year — again.

The air is crisp, the water colder, the mornings are coming later and the evenings earlier, and the fishing is good.

Many ardent anglers contend that fall is the very best time to fish. November traditionally gives up some of the best catches of the year.

It's interesting, though, that the rods and reels of many anglers have been stored for the season. Reasons range from being too cold, to too late, to simple misunderstandings, like the belief all the fish in all the lakes have already been caught or hibernate in fall and winter.

Colder water temperatures, shorter days and colder nights trigger the instinctive alarm clocks in fish to feed. And feed they are doing, on everything from streamers to glow bugs to a nice chunk of night crawler.

Fish know that the cooler temperatures are a sure sign that it won't be too long before the "kitchens" are closed for the winter.

This need to feed brings fish in closer to shore, where food is more abundant. Also, they prefer water a little warmer, so instead of having to fish early mornings and late evenings to catch the big fish, the best fishing is during midday. It is true, too, that fish are less finicky about what they take this time of year.

Byron Gunderson, an owner in Fish Tech Outfitters, said, "Fall is when the browns are spawning. The big browns move out of cover and set up reds in the shallow and expose themselves to fishermen this one time in the year. Normally, they are night feeders and stay deep.

"This is a time, too, when the rivers are low and stable and the crowds have gone. It's wide open for those who want to get out and fish."

Jon Larson, a manager of Sportsman's Warehouse, said fall fishing is his favorite time, "but it's a busy time for a lot of people, with the hunts and all. But it's a time when the fishing is good."

Lakes and rivers with browns and brook trout can be especially good at this time of year. Browns and brooks are fall spawners.

What makes browns such a good target in moving waters is that along with being aggressive feeders, they are also territorial. They'll hit not only to feed, but to protect.

Which makes streamers a good choice for rivers and streams. Fish don't want to expend any more energy than necessary for a good meal, and a streamer in a minnow imitation can be very attractive.

Larson suggested using minnow patterns on lakes and reservoirs. "The fish are hungry and they'll go after the bigger baits and lures," he said.