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FALL TROUT TIPS SMALLIES ON THE FLY VOLUME 25 â€¢ ISSUE 307

F R A N C H I S E

PHOTO CREDIT: RALPH MALEAR

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n the early 1930s watch manufacturers took a clue from Henry Ford’s favorite quote concerning his automobiles, “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Black dialed watches became the rage especially with pilots and race drivers. Of course, since the black dial went well with a black tuxedo, the adventurer’s black dial watch easily moved from the airplane hangar to dancing at the nightclub. Now, Stauer brings back the “Noire”, a design based 27 jewels and handon an elegant timepiece built in 1936. Black dialed, assembled parts drive complex automatics from the 1930s have recently hit this classic masterpiece. new heights at auction. One was sold for in excess of $600,000. We thought that you might like to have an affordable version that will be much more accurate than the original. Basic black with a twist. Not only are the dial, hands and face vintage, but we used a 27-jeweled automatic movement. This is the kind of engineering desired by fine watch collectors worldwide. But since we design this classic movement on state of the art computer-controlled Swiss built machines, the accuracy is excellent. Three interior dials display day, month and date. We have priced the luxurious Stauer Noire at a price to keep you in the black… only 3 payments of $33. So slip into the back of your black limousine, savor some rich tasting black coffee and look at your wrist knowing that you have some great times on your hands.

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Four Destinations To Get Your

Flats Fishing Fix By CAM Staff

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALPHONSE FISHING COMPANY/WWW.ALPHONSE-ISLAND.COM

here’s no experience in fly fishing like standing on the deck of a skiff and watching for shadows that belie cruising fish. Sight casting saltwater flats is a pursuit that lies somewhere between biggame hunting and angling. For many anglers it is the ultimate expression of the sport. The following are four destinations that offer some of the best flats fishing in the world. Whether you seek the visceral thrill of leaping tarpon, the bone-jarring speed of giant trevally or the finesse and skill it takes to hook bonefish and permit, these places should be part of every angler’s bucket-list.

The Bahamas

No other island chain in the world has so completely associated itself with a single species of fish as the Bahamas. This 1,000-mile-long archipelago is bonefish heaven, and it has supported generations of famous fly fishing guides on more than 500 square miles of mostly hard-bottomed flats. There’s a reason the Bahamas are so famous for bonefishing. From Grand Bahama and the Abacos in the north all the way down to Long Island and Acklins in the south, there are more than 700 islands. Each little cay supports its own flats, which all offer perfect habitat for bones and perfect environs for fly fishing. Another great thing about bonefishing the Bahamas is easy access to the fishery. The islands are a quick hop from southern Florida, and every inhabited island has its own bonefish lodges. From swanky resorts to beachfront huts, there’s something for every type of angler, and the fishing is varied as well. Whether you seek the challenge of big wary fish or you’d rather have fun catching numbers, you’ll find it somewhere in the islands—and Bahamian guides are legendary for their skill and hospitality.

Seychelles

Out in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, the Seychelles are an

archipelago of 115 islands that offer some of the most remote and beautiful flats in the world. With a strictly managed fishery, the atolls of the Seychelles are teeming with fish, and the out islands offer flats that few anglers have ever seen. It’s one of the few remaining destinations where the fishing experience cannot be oversold. Bonefish are big, numerous and lightly pressured, so they will readily take a fly. But traveling anglers should go geared up for multiple other exciting flats inhabitants. From high-flying milkfish to powerful giant trevally, there’s really no place on the planet that offers such a diverse and exotic cast of characters. And you’ll be sight fishing for all of them, either wading or poling gorgeous shallow-water flats.

Belize

If permit are your passion, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to chase them than Belize. This little English-speaking nation,

wedged in on the Caribbean between Mexico and Honduras, lays claim to what just might be the world’s best permit fishery. Belize is small. You could fit the entire country within Florida six times, and its population density is the lowest in all of Central America. These statistics explain the unspoiled nature of Belize’s forests, flats and beaches. Punta Gorda, on the southern coast, is the headliner destination for permit devotees. Yes, there are opportunities for tarpon, snook, bonefish and jacks, but the abundance and size of permit is astounding. Now, that abundance doesn’t make individual permit any easier to catch. It does, however, mean an angler will have numerous shots to get everything just right, which is a necessity when it comes to hooking permit on a fly.

The Florida Keys

No such list would be complete without mention of the Keys. The Florida Keys are the birthplace of backcountry fly fishing, and for decades the waters within the Gulf-side curve of this island chain have provided some of the best shallow-water fishing in the world. The more than 1,000-square-mile expanse of Florida Bay is a vast shelf lagoon, where bays, channels, flats and small islands exist in the mix of warm Gulf waters and freshwater seeping in from the Everglades. A skiff with a captain opens up a world of mud and grass flats to spot and cast to fish. Even an angler in a kayak could explore the mazes of mangrove islands. And there’s no telling what fish you might encounter. The summertime tarpon run is legendary. Bonefish and ever-difficult permit cruise the flats. Big snook and redfish are also potential sight-fishing targets. It’s a place where even big sharks have been known to take a fly. From the eastern United States, the Florida Keys are a no-hassle flats experience, and the fishing can be spectacular.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

11:34 AM

OCTOBER 2020

NATIONAL 5

FOUR TIPS FOR

very river is its own enclosed ecosystem. The specifics rarely translate from one fishery to the next when it comes to trout fishing. But there’s at least one thing you can count on when the first cold fronts roll in and autumn leaves color the banks of our mountain trout streams: the fishing will be good. The small window between hot summer and cold winter is a trout’s opportunity to fatten up for the lean months. But nature is not kind. Fall does not bring massive hatches of meaty mayflies like spring. Feeding opportunities can be sparse, which forces trout to be opportunistic. It is advantageous for anglers. Here are some general guidelines to remember when you’re fishing for trout in fall: 1) Conditions: Although water temperatures are cooling, levels remain low and clear in most streams. This makes trout wary. Wade stealthily and use longer, thinner leaders to avoid spooking fish.

all F TROUT By CAM Staff

2) Meat Theory: Trout pack on weight in fall, particularly brown trout, which are also fueling up for the spawn. Consider fishing larger flies than you normally would to give them a mouthful they can’t refuse. Streamers target the largest, most aggressive fish in a run. Large articulated streamers might seem outlandish, but they’re the deal if you’re willing to sacrifice numbers for size. Use a loop knot to tie streamers to tippet, it’ll give your fly more

PHOTO BY NICK CARTER

action, and consider an intermediate sinking line or a sink-tip to get your streamers down. Fluorocarbon leaders are also a good idea for stripping big streamers or drifting heavy stonefly nymphs through deep holes. Fluorocarbon sinks, and its abrasion resistance helps your rig stand up to the rock and wood you’ll encounter. 3) Spawning Browns: Brown trout run upstream to spawn this time of year. That means big browns show up in places you wouldn’t normally expect. Go ahead and fish the deep undercut at the tail-out of a pool, but look to the head of the run, too. There might be a giant butterbelly up in the riffles getting ready to move up the creek.

4) Dry Flies: If you just have to fish a dry fly, most of the topwater action will go on in the afternoon and evening. Terrestrials that carried fish through the summer are still a primary food source until the first hard frost. Be sure to carry hoppers, beetles and ants. Some areas see hatches of October Caddis, also called Autumn Sedge. These big orange bugs are mostly nocturnal, but trout will be looking for them. Other than that, most fall insect life is small. Blue-winged olives and midges are what trout rise to when cool weather settles in. Bring your box of size 18-24 BWOs and Griffith’s Gnats. Try fishing them behind a large, high-floating attractor pattern so you can track those tiny flies on the water.

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Rush Production of U.S. Silver Dollars Creates 2nd Lowest Mintage in History

The Mystery of Silver Bullion A coin’s value is often tied to its rarity. One way to determine a coin’s rarity is by its mint mark—a small letter indicating where a coin was struck. Since Silver Eagles are almost always produced solely in West Point, the coins don’t feature one of these mint marks. But this year’s Silver

2nd Lowest Mintage (240,000)

3,000,000

2,000,000

2015-P

2020-P

2017-P

2016-P

2017-S

1,000,000

1996

For just 13 days, the U.S. Mint struck an “Emergency Production” run of U.S. Silver Dollars at the Philadelphia Mint. This was great for silver buyers, and really great for collectors. Here’s why:

4,000,000

1994

Philadelphia Steps Up

5,000,000

1997

U.S. Mint Halts Production West Point, the U.S. Mint branch that normally strikes Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Silver Eagles, went into lockdown. Prices quickly shot up, and freshly struck Silver Eagles became much harder to find at an affordable price. To meet the rising demand, the U.S. Mint knew it had to act—and act fast.

Eagles were also produced in Philly—so few (a scant 240,000) that they are now the second smallest mintage of Silver Eagles ever struck! So how do we tell a 2020(W) Silver Eagle from a 2020(P)?

1995

ne of the most popular ways to buy silver is the Silver Eagle— legal-tender U.S. Silver Dollars struck in one ounce of 99.9% pure silver. When the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping the world, demand skyrocketed. But there was a problem...

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Certified “Struck at” Coins Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is one of the world’s leading third-party coin grading services. Thanks to some skilled detective work, they have certified these coins as being struck at the Philadelphia Mint during this special Emergency Production run. What’s more, a number of these coins have been graded as near-flawless Mint State-69 (MS69) condition—just one point away from absolute perfection!

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BULL REDFISH On theFly I

By CAM Staff

t’s a special time of year for anglers who specialize in redfish on fly tackle. For the next couple of months, bull reds from the Carolinas to the Texas Gulf Coast will be on the move. Invigorated by cooling waters and the spawn, they run inshore to stack up in the passes and along the beaches. They’ll even push up into the marshes to feed with their smaller cousins. It’s the time of year to trade your 7-weight fly rod for a 9-weight, because the chance of hooking into a 20- to 40-pound redfish is better now than at any other time. In the South Carolina Lowcountry, big reds are herding adult shrimp on shallow mud flats. In the world famous Louisiana bayous, bulls are visible cruising and crunching crabs on the bottom. All along the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts, anglers seek diving birds with binoculars. The schools of hungry redfish pushing baitfish from beneath are primed and ready to eat a fly. Those new to saltwater fly fishing will find that redfish are a very good place to start. Although the pursuit requires some stealth in terms of boat handling or wading, the fish are not leader shy and rarely spook at errant casts or line hitting the water. These are not wary bonefish that run from shadows. Catching red drum does require quick, accurate casts, but this time of year generally provides anglers with numerous shots at fish. One of the great thing about reds is they are aggressive and opportunistic feeders. Fly selection is a matter of matching the predominant forage where

you’re fishing, but generally they will eat most anything that runs away. Crab, spoon, shrimp and baitfish patterns all work, and the local fly shop will clue you in to the top producers. These flies are frequently tied in highly visible colors with flash and rattles. The key is put your fly in front of a redfish and then get its attention. You have to provide action for the fish to take notice, and seeing a fish react to your bait is extremely exciting. It’s one of the things that make reds on a fly so much fun, even for veterans of the mud flats. As a rule, you’ll want to keep the fly moving with short, quick strips. Let sinking flies bounce on the bottom to kick up mud. Whether it’s a waking dorsal fin, the violent parting of marsh grass or a shadow streaking across the bottom, you’ll know it when a big redfish homes in on your fly. At that point, you can slow it down, but keep that bait twitching. Let the rattles, flash and undulating feathers do their work. Strip-set hard on the take and PHOTOS BY NICK CARTER let the fish put a bow in the rod before giving another jolt to make sure the hook is home. You’ll soon realize why you needed a large arbor reel with a smooth drag and 100 yards of backing. A 20-pound bull red is going to seriously test a 9-foot leader tapered from 40 down to 15 or 20 pounds. It’s the kind of struggle that’ll bring you back for more.

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he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for. The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion. The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this BONUS! Call today and beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! you’ll also receive this

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FREE-FALL U.S.A. The Rebel Series from the Last Frontier to the Southernmost Point

PHOTO BY PAUL PLASCJAK

he Rebel series’ reputation for being the ultimate Alaskan anchoring machine precedes itself. Churning out ultra-thin dyneema cord at impressive free-fall speeds in the North Pacific from Oregon to Alaska, the “Alaskan-tough” anchoring solution is not isolated to the rugged beauty of America’s last frontier where it was made most famous; its true free-fall capabilities are utilized for charter businesses and recreational boaters who set sail from the extreme north of Fairbanks all the way down to the southernmost islands of the Florida Keys. One example rests in Paul Plascjak, who splits his time between Maryland and Florida. No stranger to boating, the retiree docks his 1985 Bertram 30 Flybridge Cruiser at his Key Colony Beach residence where the Rebel EZ-5 drum anchor winch is comfortably perched on the bow of the 31-foot vessel. “All of us old guys with bad backs are sick and tired of all the old piece of crap windlasses that we have had to repair and cuss at all these years,” Plascjak said. “We just want to go fishing and keep the kids safe!” Proudly nestled at the front of the bow, the complete stainless steel anchor winch simply requires a two-second push from the helm or wireless remote. Gravity does the rest! Paul’s installation consists of 230’ of ⅝” rope combined with a homemade rock anchor. He says that the Rebel EZ-5 could “easily take another 60’ to 70’ of line,” if needed. It’s no wonder Paul’s neighbors are absolutely “envious” of the ease of use Paul experiences when they inspect the “beautiful” jam-free, time-saving anchoring installation. “A friend across the canal was hammering on his windlass last night trying to get it to grip the chain,” Plascjak emphasized in a summer e-mail to the

E-Z Anchor Puller team. “I loudly expounded on the virtues of your reliable drum winch with the free-fall capability [and] it’s looking prettier to the neighbors every day!” The Rebel’s spool design and internal spring around it’s drive shaft provides constant pressure on the braking plate, so Paul never has to worry about rope backlash or tangling while his Rebel churns out the anchor, rope and chain combination down to the seabed. Paul says E-Z Anchor Puller has greatly improved his recreational experiences and that the manufacturing company makes safe boating and fishing in the Florida Keys possible. Paul’s personal installation is right in the ballpark of the 2020 manual recommendation for rope and chain configuration: the EZ-5 is conservatively rated for 275’ of ⅝” rope plus an additional 20’ of ⅜” chain by the company.

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OCTOBER 2020

NATIONAL 11

THE BASICS FOR

A BETTER DAY

OFFSHORE By CAM Staff

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISHINGNOSARA.COM

he habits you bring to the boat can be as important as all the gear and knowledge in the world when it comes to catching fish. Whether you’re the guy with a new boat just figuring it out or a seasoned tournament captain whose main duty is to shout at the crew, developing good routines and fishing with the right mindset leads to better days on the water.

Here are a few tips that might help:

Get Organized. We all know the gear guy who loads everything and the kitchen sink in the boat. We’ve also been with this same guy when the last 8/0 circle hook breaks off in a big gag grouper. He’s got a fresh pack of 4/0 hooks under the seat from the last time he went scamp fishing with sardines, but that just won’t do for the big pinfish in the baitwell. You’re left looking in the cup holders for an appropriate hook while the fish are down there waiting to be caught. Keeping your tackle—and all your other gear—well organized makes you a better angler because you’ll have what you need when you need it. Not only will your tackle remain rust free longer in waterproof storage boxes with compartments, these handy trays tell you at a glance when you need to restock the items you use most. Be Prepared. Pre-rig leaders and ready the gear you plan to use the night before a trip. Check the latest reports, gather local intel, follow the weather and use a service like Sirius XM’s Fish Mapping to keep up with what’s going on before you leave the dock. Having a plan puts you on the fish quicker so you’ll be there when the bite turns on. But offshore fishing is also about adapting to circumstances on the water. The best anglers recognize and react to opportunities as they arise. This requires planning for what might happen on top of what is expected. Make sure you’ve got rigs, tackle and lures handy for when bottom fishing becomes chasing birds. Keep It Simple. Whether you’re trolling or sinking baits, know the limits of your crew. More lines in the water does not always equate to more fish on the deck. It takes an experienced and aware bunch of anglers to deploy and man complicated trolling spreads. Even a simple drop can come confusing when there are multiple fish on the line and unmanned rigs on the rails. One of the best ways to have an enjoyable and productive day on the water is to spend less time untangling snarls and more time fishing. Knowing how to avoid aggravation and wasted time is a skill in itself, and the first step is to keep it simple.

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OCTOBER 2020 PUBLISHER: BOB RICE

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING HIT THE CURVE Contributed By: Jeff Durniak www.unicoioutfitters.com Unicoi Outfitters, Orvis 2018 Fly Shop of the Year

let the fly drift a foot or so under the surface. The fish would rise in the water column and retreat to the pool tail until they could see their meal. I learned that the hard way! While standing deep in another pool, I was changing out my point fly, while my San Juan dropper dangled just under the surface at my waist. Kaboom! I had a broken leader and a face full of water from a big shark that crashed that worm. So look down at your wading shoes (aka “turbidity meter”) and drift your worm, bugger, or leggy stonefly within that sight window, whether it’s a foot or three deep. The top of the curve is the highest flow, and then it starts to drop through that descending arm. Most streams are often too high and muddy at peak flow for safe and productive fishing. But when they start to drop and clear a bit, it’s game-on again! If you can catch them when they’re stained, but not red-mud, and still high, this is your second prime window. You can use bigger flies and heavier leaders again, and get closer to them for more trophy tries.

Baseball fans, do you remember the Clint Eastwood movie, “Trouble with the Curve?” Aging pro baseball scout Clint is reunited with his estranged daughter and the two take a contrarian view of the next Babe Ruth, a young prospect who has all the other scouts salivating. Why even debate when he puts every 100mph fastball deep into the bleachers? Because he had trouble with the curve! Maybe some of you have trouble with the curve, too. No, not the pitched curveball, but the flow curves on the USGS stream monitors across the country, and Georgia in particular: https://waterdata.usgs. gov/ga/nwis/rt. Next to my fishing pole, a stream gauge may be the most important piece of “my” fishing equipment! Knowing how to read these curves and apply them to your own fishing trips may bring you a lot more hits, too. Let’s get started. We’ll use the Hooch at Helen as our teaching tool: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ nwis/uv?site_no=02330450 Scroll down to the graph called “discharge.” You’ll see flow (in cfs) on the vertical axis and a week’s worth of days on the horizontal axis. Let’s zero in on one day with a big flow spike (from a storm) and dissect it into three parts: the ascending leg, the tip-top, and the descending leg. This is what those curve parts tell me. At the beginning of the ascent, the water is rising and getting a little stained. Depending on air temperature, a summer storm may also cool the creek, and a warm winter rain may heat a frozen January river. This is a great time to be there, as trout feel safe in the stained waters and pick off extra food from the buffet line: worms and ants from overland runoff and dislodged stream nymphs. Same goes for bass as they ambush prey in the cloudy waters. It’s chow time! As we go up the curve to the top, this peak flow is often the ripping, muddy mess that’s usually unfishable. It’s often too muddy for fish to see your bait or lure. This is more true for my river bass, who seem to shut down to turbid water quicker than stream trout. The ripping current and lack of visibility also make

Most of the time. But on small trout streams where we can still stand safely on or next to the bank, it might just be TROPHY TIME. Trout are forced into flood refuges such as behind rock ledges and boulders and against the banks. But if they can see, they can eat, because their predators can’t see them. We’ve had epic days at Smithgall Woods in high storm flows due to the spaghetti hatch: earthworms. We’d trade 6X tippet for 3X and several size 3/0 split shot, and we’d just creep up close and pound a pink San Juan worm or black mohair leech into those soft spots, over and over, until our strike indicator got yanked down hard. If we were lucky, we could winch the big ‘bows back upstream into our net. About three days after Hurricane Ivan washed out half the road at the covered bridge, I stood in just one prime pool for a few hours and landed 10 rainbows, with two at 18 inches. I lost several bigger ones when they rode the stormflow downstream, where I would not follow for fear of drowning. If it was too muddy for deep dredging, we’d use just one shot and

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it unsafe for wading and floating anglers. In most cases, it’s time to avoid those spots, fish elsewhere like a tiny stream or a lake, and let that flood crest pass.

After a stream trip, look at the web’s gauge data to see how high the water was. You’ll soon learn when those streams return to fishable levels. Develop your own standards for safe wading based on your ability and distaste for risk. You’ll also know when the fish came back on the feed. My experiences suggest that trout are more tolerant of muddy water than my picky river bass, but yours might be different. Start a river notes page on your smart phone so you’ll remember this precious intel for future trips. I hope these tips on Mother Nature’s pitch help your batting average. They’ve worked pretty well for us at Unicoi Outfitters and just might for you, too. Remember that you just can’t win if you don’t play the game, so get into the batter’s box and be ready to hit that curve. You never know. You just might put one waaaaay back into the bleachers yourself, like some poor Chattooga loser did last June (page 6): http:// rabuntu.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020_07.pdf. Batter up?

at the gh the when le levrds for ability o know e feed. trout water yours r notes you’ll for fu-

Mother ng avy well nd just er that n’t play batter’s curve. ght put achers ttooga http:// nt/upBatter

LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING OCTOBER FLY FISHING REPORT

Contributed By: Henry Cowen www.henrycowenflyfishing.com Topwater and October for striped bass in North GA are synonymous with each other. Last year, the surface feeding began at the end of September, and as I am writing this report, I am already hearing of some topwater feeding. As the temperature drops down to near eighty degrees, we will start seeing some consistent topwater activity on the south end of all the impoundments here in North GA. This time of year you need to burn gas looking for the topwater feeders and have a bit of patience with regards to your fellow angler. Show respect and ease up on fish if another boat has beaten you to them. The Corp of Engineers should be pulling water down every afternoon to get the lakes into their winter water levels. This has a lot of significance to anglers who want to search for busting fish as the pull of water creates a manmade tide (if you will) and causes the fish to look up and eat on or just below the surface. In early October, our bite should start out with the spotted bass being the most consistent topwater feeders. They will feed on both small shad and blue back herring. You might find singles breaking the surface or wolf pack groups of 10-15 fish blowing up on top. Either way, a run and gun approach is what you need. Make sure your trolling motors are charged to the max as you will be moving all around to get to these fast feeding demons. Fly rodders can have a ball tossing floating lines with Wiggle Minnows and Game Changers attached to 15-pound tippet. Put your rod under your arm and strip with a hand over hand retrieve and watch these fish explode on your offering. Generally speaking, Lanier’s bass and stripers will be mostly a herring bite. By the time we get into the end of October, it is likely that the bite will change over to a small sized threadfin shad pattern. I suspect this year will be off the chart good as we have seen an entire year class of fish (2012) that can tolerate slightly warmer sur-

face water temperatures due to their smaller size (6-8lbs). Start by tossing herring type flies or lures (if conventional fishing). Any small to medium sized fly thrown on an intermediate slow sinking line should get you a bite. What fly you throw is not that important. However, what is important is to MATCH THE SIZE OF THE SHAD OR HERRING. So small flies like my Somethin’ Else, Gummy Minnow or tiny Clousers are good choices if you are in the middle of a threadfin shad blitz. Game Changers are your ticket for matching the herring blitz (which tends to end earlier if the water cools down below 70 degrees). Conventional anglers can toss small bucktails on light lines or even a casting bubble rigged with a small fly to match the shad and can toss Sebile’s, Redfins and Chug Bugs if the stripers are feeding on herring. On Lanier, the fish will show best from mid-lake down to the south end. You just need to ride and keep a set of binoculars handy to help spot the busting fish. It is at this time of year that the Bomber bite fires up. Conventional anglers will toss Bomber Long A lures on shallow sandy points in the dark and catch stripers feeding shallow on gizzard shad. Best colors for the Bomber bite is bubble gum pink, black or dark purple. If you have never tried this bite, you have no clue what you are missing. As a fly rod angler, I toss a hookless Bomber Long A until I get a tug. I am using my hookless Bomber as a bird dog to help locate the fish. Then I break out my fly rod and throw it until I move on to another point and start with the conventional gear again. So that is what October has in store for North GA anglers. This strategy will work on other area lakes like Hartwell, Allatoona, Carters and even Clark’s Hill. Just remember that while you are awaiting a topwater bite to occur, you can toss these same flies and lures on humps that are 20-25’

deep. Any hump that is around deeper water will more than likely hold a fish or two, and you can raise them up on a fly or lure worked near the surface. Tossing Sebiles, Redfins or pencil poppers can get you a few extra bites while waiting for surfacing fish.

For anyone wanting to learn more about our beloved fresh water striped bass, my book, “Fly Fishing For Fresh Water Striped Bass” will be out in all stores as well as Amazon by the end of October.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING OCONEE ON THE FLY-OCTOBER FORECAST SNAKE ON A FLY AND OCTOBER SURPRISES!

Contributed By Capt. Wayne Moore USCG www.oconeeonthefly.com We live on the upper end of Lake Oconee. Every now and then I’ll go down to the dock, turn on our Hydro Glow fishing lights and throw a few flies. A couple of weeks ago, I was doing this and hooked something that felt different than a hybrid or striper. As I stripped it in, it came into the light and I saw a 2-foot long snake. Don’t know if it was a water snake or water moccasin because I cut the leader very quickly! As a side note, if I am keeping fish, this is one reason I never use a stringer. More than once I have lifted a stringer of bream and found a water moccasin feasting on one of the fish. The October Surprise - Georgia Power is planning a Lake Sinclair drawdown. The scheduled beginning descent date is October 26, 2020 and the beginning ascent date is November 29, 2020. For more information go to: http://georgiapowerlakes. com/oconeesinclair/2020/06/01/ lake-sinclair-drawdown-2020/. So how will this affect fishing on Lake Oconee? I asked several of my fellow guides here, and Jody Stephens of Crappie Daze Guide Service said, “The drawdown should help crappie fishing. I assume they won’t be moving water since there’s not much to move!” October Forecast Hybrids/Stripers – Traditionally, October is the beginning of cooler water temperatures, and we have had a pump back bite in the mornings at the dam. I still think that even without Georgia Power moving water, we may have a topwater bite early in the morning near Great Waters. I like to long line bass minnows on 12-pound test with a swivel and 10 or 12-pound fluorocarbon leader and a #4 Gamakatsu Octopus circle offset point hook.

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OCTOBER 2020

FULL SERVICE OUTFITTER The summertime in the South is upon us here in the South Carolina

For fly fishing, my go-to rig is an 8-weight Scott rod with an intermediate line. I use a 9-foot, 12-pound leader and tie on a Wiggle Minnow. Then I tie on an 18” to 24” 10-pound leader and use a Cowen’s Somethin Else as a dropper. This way, I am targeting both surface feeding and subsurface fish. If there is no surface activity, I use just the Somethin Else. October Forecast Crappie – October is a great time to long line! Just troll a 1/16-ounce jig with a 1/32-ounce jig tied a few feet below it. I use Curtis Hobbs livewire hooks for the jigs. I use Jiffy Jigs curly tail jigs in a Junebug/chartreuse color. The other tactic that’s great if you want to target large crappie while you are hybrid/striper fishing is to search for large schools of shad in water 25 to 35 feet deep. Drop a 7/8-ounce spoon in white or silver. We boated a lot of fish in the 1¾ pound to 2-pound range doing this last year. You can also downline large crappie minnows or bass minnows once you locate the fish. Final Words - Don’t forget to book your trip well in advance. Winter fishing is spectacular here on Lake Oconee! Email me at wmoore1700 @ outlook.com or call 404317-9556 and lock in your dates. Tight lines and God bless.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING THE CASTING CORNER THE WIND

Contributed By: Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer

The wind is everywhere (Deep thoughts by Rene Hesse). We cast in the wind everywhere we go. The plains of Montana, the Florida flats, and yes, here in Georgia. Using the wind to help us is the key to making the casts that may help us catch some fish. While on a recent vacation out west, I was met with very windy conditions, and while using a 5 wt with 5X leaders, I had to get out the tool box of wind casts. At the end of the day, it was a great exercise in using the wind, and here were the two main casts I used. With the wind coming into my casting arm and gusting more than 10 mph, it was easier to make the short 20-30 foot casts by casting over my downwind shoulder. Make the lift and back cast by having the rod tip travel over the opposite shoulder and then bringing it forward on the same casting plane. It was easy to keep the line and fly away from my head by doing this. Adding a haul on the back and forward cast really helped.

To give you an idea of the arm and hand position during the cast, do this exercise. Put your elbow at your side and point your finger straight up. Next, bring your elbow out to the side, but keep your hand in the same place. Your finger tip should tilt and point to the top of your head. That is the casting plane the rod should travel. When it took a longer cast to reach the fish, I switched to a delivery on the back cast. Turn your back to the wind and make the cast away from the fish. Make that cast with a very high trajectory (as you would on a normal back cast), and then make the delivery to the fish with a downward trajectory just above the water. Using a ¾ off-vertical rod plane makes it easy to use the wind to extend your line. Using the double haul will too. These two casts will work in any wind situation where the wind is coming into your casting arm. Before you go to, ‘the destination’, try out these casts in the wind. It’s not hard to find.

OCTOBER 31 BLUE MOON

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OCTOBER FLY FISHING

Contributed by James Bradley Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide www.ReelEmInGuideService.com (706) 273-0764 Fall is right around the corner. Yes, we’ve almost made it through the last of the humid days of summer. The changing temperatures will for sure get the trout active and searching for their next big meal! October brings the opening of North Carolina’s Delayed Harvest (DH) streams. Our friends to the north have about seven times more streams and ponds set up for DH fishing. Their season basically opens October 1st but, bear in mind, it will take the NCWRC about a week to get around to stock all these bodies of water. They will be stocking browns, rainbows and gorgeous brook trout. You can find these DH streams online at https:// www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Fishing/documents/Delayed-HarvestTrout-Waters-Stocking-DatesMap.pdf. If fishing the early part of the DH season, use junk flies like eggs, Y2Ks, San Juan and Squirmy worms for fast hook ups. As the DH season drags on, begin switching back to naturals! Locally, floating the Toccoa will begin seeing some changes. We’ve mainly been running morning trips for the last several months. It will not be too much longer when we’ll be able to start getting some full days on the tailwater. As we move into October, she should be fishing pretty good, but once the lake starts its annual turnover, the bite will fall off. As soon as the turnover

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ends, all should be well on the Toccoa tailwater for the next several months. Mid-October until the end of December brings the wary ole Mr. Brown in from places unknown. This can be an outstanding time to hook up with an absolute monster. Browns will start moving into the upper reaches of rivers and streams to stage for the spawn. This can be an exciting time to be on the water here in North Georgia. If you want to go after a brown trout of a lifetime, this is the perfect time! If you want to try fly fishing for the first time or want the watchful eye of an instructor to help improve your casting, we have several guides that teach the “Art of Fly Fishing”, entomology, stream reading, etc. We are a full-time fly-fishing guide service with professional guides from across North Georgia. So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call and we’ll hook you up! Reel Em In Guide Service is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide Service in North Georgia’s Historic High-Country region. They have been offering their services to fly anglers since 2001.They have permits for guiding in North Georgia and North Carolina, offering over 6 miles of private trophy waters across Georgia, and operate drift boat trips on the Toccoa River in GA and the Tuckasegee River in NC.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING CHATTOOGA RIVER

Cool crisp breezes from the north and west are starting to chill the daytime temperatures, and water temperatures are dropping. Fall fishing this year is shaping up great. Water levels are great with a lot of fish being caught from the depths to topwater as well. The weather trend continues to look promising with cooler temperatures and plenty of rain to keep water levels up and temperatures down. Along with the falling water temperatures, the emergence of the fall hatches blessed us again. Swinging nymphs and soft-hackles on a deaddrift is essential to a great day on the rivers. An upstream cast, a mend or two of your line, and letting these fine bugs drift freely with no drag all the way downstream will produce fish. We have noticed with the cooler than normal early fall temperatures that some of the fall hatches are appearing on the rivers a little earlier than most years. Streamer fishing will be great

this fall season as well. There are tremendous amounts of shiners, minnows and sculpins throughout the watersheds. Targeting fish in the seam lines, just off the big runs of the rivers, will be beneficial. Cast the streamers upstream, dead-drift and twitch through the drift, and then a strip and pause retrieve will be rewarding. Delayed harvest starts November 1 here in South Carolina, so this is a great time of year to get out on the waters and knock the rust off your cast and drifting techniques. Along with catching a few fish, what better way to spend the day with the colors of the trees and bushes changing splashed across the mountain sides and their reflections on the rivers? For a full line of bugs and streamers, stop by and check out the new arrivals to fulfill your fall fly fishing. We have added a full line of barbless flies and expanded our fly tying supplies to include a full line of barbless hooks, Czech and Euro nymphing products, along with Whiting Farms products. We hope to see everyone out on the rivers, and let’s all remember to be safe and leave no trace!

Fly of the Month by Jake Darling Unicoi Outfitters jake@unicoioutfitters.com

Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow- Sculpin

Hook: Umpqua U301, #06 Cone Head: Size Large Black Cone (6mm) Underbody: 10-15 wraps of .020 lead wire Tail: Combination of White, Tan, and Olive Marabou (white on bottom, tan in the middle, olive on the top). Also, add a few strands of copper colored Krystal Flash. Body: Two colors of wing-n-flash (angel hair) - gold on top and pearl on bottom. When finished, use a black magic marker for coloration of the back. As we transition into cooler weather, I often find my streamer rod in my hand more than any other time during the year. Streamer fishing can be fantastic as the water temperatures begin to decrease and the trout become more active. Out of all the streamer patterns I use, the Coffey’s CH Sparkle Minnow in Sculpin color produces more strikes than any other. I prefer to fish this fly on a 250 grain Scientific Anglers Streamer Express line, while stripping the fly erratically to entice the strike. This fly can also be used with a swing presentation while imparting a rhythmic jigging action with the tip of the rod whenever trout may be looking for a slower moving offering.

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LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING NEW TO KAYAKING BEGINNER WATERS Contribute By: William Reed Nucanoe National Pro Staff Writer IG: @wde_will

Lake Winfield Scott is a great day trip for anyone in the metro Atlanta area or North Georgia. Located in Union County close to Blairsville and Dahlonega, it’s an easy drive as well as a great spot to camp, with sites on the lake’s edge. To the experienced kayaker, it offers great fishing for both bass and trout, conveniently stocked by Georgia DNR. Lake Winfield Scott is a cold water lake being the highest elevation of any lake in Georgia. To add to its appeal, it feeds water to what is known as Coopers Creek, one of the best trout fishing destinations in Georgia. For someone new to the sport of kayaking, getting on the water is like jumping off the diving board for the first time. Once you take the plunge, it only gets easier. Before you hit the water, you will need to

grasp two things. The first being the proper gear for a safe and fun time. Second, you need the perfect body of water that allows you to learn the basics. It is also a great idea to go with someone experienced or on a guided kayaking trip. As for the right gear, there is no perfect kayak. What works best for one person might be horrible for the next. For a beginner, I would recommend a wide sit on top kayak. This caters to safety as it’s selfbailing and stable. For my personal kayak, I look for an open deck, sit on top featuring tracks for customization. I personally chose a Nucanoe Kayak because it fits both my style and needs. I am able to stand, fly fish, paddle, pedal, or even use an outboard, all with the same kayak. The best advice is to reach out to any reputable paddle shop or some-

one like me to demo a kayak first and make sure it’s a perfect fit. If budget allows, a USA made kayak goes a long way for warranty as well as durability. Worth mentioning; leave the extras at home. My first time kayaking was a disaster. I had rods, gear, and other items everywhere. I was not able to enjoy the moment because my focus was scattered. Learning how to paddle is easy, however learning how to paddle while trying to manage gear, personal belongings, fishing as well as weather and conditions takes experience. Try to limit your first time to a paddle, life jacket, maybe one rod and yourself.

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Emphasis on the life jacket. Now for that perfect body of water; a small pond or lake is perfect. Typically, these waters have minimal wind, are shallow and conveniently offer easier access back to the ramp or put in. Lake Winfield Scott is a perfect example. The lake has plenty to offer whether you’re the novice or the seasoned pro. The ramp has a gradual slope leading to a sandy basin. Grass flats surround the shallow sandy areas, dropping to a small river channel loaded with fish. If I have compelled you to try kayaking, reach out because paddle shops and myself would love to get you in a kayak and see you on the water.

LOCAL RIVERS & FLY FISHING THE GUIDES ANGLE FALL INTO FLY FISHING

Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service

It’s time to get back outside and social distance on the river! With the shorter photo period and cooler weather, you are going to see an uptick in wildlife activity. The most notable activity for fly fishermen is the emergence of “blue winged olive” mayflies. These little mayflies are mostly small, ranging from hook sizes #16 down to a #28, but average size #22. They look like little sailboats with an upright blue-dun wing and an olive body. These BWO mayflies hatch year round on the Chattahoochee tailwater on mostly overcast days, but beginning in October all through the winter, they can hatch any time rain or shine. We always keep a light fly rod like a 3 or 4 wt with a double taper floating line with a 10 foot leader with a 6 or 7X tippet with a small Parachute Adams. If you watch closely, the trout will often group up or form pod groups to feed on the surface. This

feeding behavior is fascinating to watch, but anglers should approach with stealth as these pods are easily spooked. It’s best to take the time to observe them feeding and try to catch the fish closest to your position so you minimize spooking the other fish. We have pulled dozens of fish out of one area using dry flies in this manner. Good luck head hunting rising fish this fall, folks!

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST GREAT TRIP

By Tim Dangar ltdangar@tds.net Well, it cooled down enough to get back on the lake for a fun fishing trip. On September 10th, I took a fishing buddy of mine to a favorite spot on Lake Allatoona close to Sweet Water Creek. My friend Everett, who is 84 and a veteran, had been wanting to catch some crappie for the freezer, so off we went. It was overcast and with the wind out of the east, which was good temperature wise, but the east wind sometimes is not a fisherman’s friend. It started out a little slow with a bite on minnows about every 15 minutes. The sun came out and it must have illuminated those shining minnows in the clear water, because they really turned on. Before long it clouded up again, and the bite slowed down. We decided to throw some jigs with curly tail grubs to see if it would increase the action. That turned out to be a great move and made the live well look much better. We ended up with 40 plus fish and

a happy friend who was able to fill that bare spot in the freezer. Hey, the fall is a great time to fish, but with bow season opening this Saturday, it’s time for me to hit the woods. Until February 2021, stay calm and fish or hunt on!

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LANIER STRIPERS Forecast by: Clay Cunningham www.catchingnotfishing.com 770-630-2673 Lake Lanier is hot. The water temperature is still hot, but the fishing is just as hot. The lake is still more or less full pool and the water is clear. The topwater bite has started early this year. As the water temperature drops, look for the topwater bite to become solid. Concerning live bait, herring will continue to be the primary bait in October. Rig the herring on a free line which is basically a 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook, a section of 10-pound Trilene Big Game 100% Flourocarbon and a Spro 120 pd Power Swivel. The Spro Power Swivel is important. Do not buy the cheap swivels on the market. Use this setup on the same Shakespeare Striper Rod used for downlining paired with a Penn Fathom II 15 Linecounter spooled with 15-pound Trilene Big Game. Be prepared for the surface action with a wide selection of topwater

baits. Spool up a Fenwick medium action rod with 10-pound Trilene Big Game and a Sebile Magic Swimmer as the lure. The Magic Swimmer has caught tons of stripers over the past decade. The Magic Swimmer comes in several sizes and they all work, but the 125 is most popular on Lanier. Be prepared with several colors like the halo greenie and white liner. Other key topwater baits include the Berkley J-Walker 120, Berkley Surge Shad, and the Berkley Driftwalker. Each one has a different action. Also keep the trebles in tip top shape. If they are bent, replace them with Gamakatsu Magic Eye trebles. So far this fall, the J-Walker has been the best bait. The key bait can change daily based on conditions. Three of the key colors are black chrome, green back ghost, and bone. Look for schooling fish and cast right in the middle of them. Some of these schools can be massive. This is usually the most exciting month of the year on Lanier. Do not miss it!

LAKE ALLATOONA Forecast By: Capt. Robert Eidson First Bite Guide Service 770-827-6282 eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lineside fishing is good. The live bait bite is still going strong. These fish are scattered in the water column from anywhere from 13 feet to 40 feet deep between Bartow Carver and Clarks Creek. Shad, shiners and bream are all working, but threadfins and gizzard shad are hard to beat. Make sure you catch your bream on hook and line. Be sure to carry plenty

of bait and change it often. Frisky bait is the key to putting more fish in the boat. Trolling is working very well right now, and for me, there is nothing better than the Mack Farr u-rig. I have had some really good days here lately pulling these rigs. Also, single bucktails fished at 150 feet behind the boat at 2.4 mph will get you bit. Topwater is good early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and a white Rooster Tail is hard to beat. It is working well on hybrids, stripers and schooling spots.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST WHEN IS THE HEAT GOING TO BREAK?

LAKE EUFAULA

By Gary Turner

By Capt Sam Williams hawk184@earthlink.net 334-687-6266

This is where I could tell you about all the big fish I have been catching and stuff like that, but the real truth is my fishing has been lacking. I have been hitting a little farm pond and creek here and there, but that’s about it. The bream bite has been even slower than usual for the summer months. With this crazy heat, the fish are deep or just not biting. My friend Eric Crowley on Carters is still fishing the deep, deep water. When the water cools down, I expect his fishing to be on fire! Dale is another good friend of mine who fishes some, and he and another friend Dustin have been doing well this summer and has pulled in several nice bass. Some of the farm ponds have been good close to dark. Problem is, so are the mosquitoes and snakes. If you are going to fish the evenings or nights, please watch for snakes. My fishing buddy Crispy and I fished the Mulberry over under the 53 bridge one evening, and the closer to dark it got, the more snakes showed up. I’m not talking about 4 or 5 snakes. I’m talking about a dozen or more. When it got dark, you couldn’t turn off the light or there would be one sitting on your foot. It reminded me of my rattlesnake den hunting days back in Abilene, Texas. I love natural baits and live baits. One thing I do love about this time of year is that the grasshoppers are full grown. It’s amazing when you throw one out and he is floating there doing the twitch and the water explodes as a hungry bass just can’t stand it and grabs him. I know you can also do this very effectively with Hula Poppers and Jitterbugs. One summer night when I was young, with a partial moon, I was throwing a Jitterbug on a lake we had in Louisiana and caught a 9 pound and an 8 pound bass in half an hour. Speaking of Louisiana, I was there last week taking disaster relief trailers and saw all the damage in Lake Charles. The hurricane wreaked havoc down there, but one thing about the people there, they are resilient, and they will rebuild again. I used to live in Lake Charles. It is a great fishing area. All of Loui-

siana has great fishing, and the fishing will be back in full swing there soon. Hackberry is a great place to fish for speckled trout and redfish in Louisiana if you are looking for somewhere to add to your bucket list. The good news is, by the time you are reading this, we should be seeing some better day temps, and the cooler nights will start to get the lakes back alive. Now, I know there have been a ton of fish caught this summer, but just seems like the heat and the Covid kept the catch down a little more than our usual summer. I am hoping we get past this Covid mess, and we all get back to fishing more soon. Hopefully, in my next article I will be telling you about filling up my new 95XL Xtreme live well with fish we caught on some of my upcoming trips. So remember, if you have an empty seat on your boat that needs filling, shoot me an email and maybe I will come fishing with you! If you want more information about fishing, you can reach me at gary@purgeright.com or check out my Hub pages at GoneFishinClub. hubpages.com. Please remember, if you are not going to eat it, don’t kill it.

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Water temperature: 80’s, lake level: 186.73 msl, clarity: stained to slightly muddy in some creeks. The cooler weather has made for some comfortable fishing on the river and the fish have begun to move up more. The shallow fish are continuing to hit popping frogs, blade baits and weightless flukes worked over the grass and pad areas. Twitch baits, small shallow crankbaits and lipless cranks worked in these feeding schools will get a strike. Texas rigs, shaky heads and jigs rigged with trick worms and creature baits are a good choice in these areas. Plastic colors of choice are watermelon green, watermelon red, red shad and watermelon candy are a good bet. Use your electronics and locate the deeper bass on the trash piles on the drops up to 20 feet deep. Carolina rigs, deep cranks and jigging spoons are a good choice here. When you locate them, continue to work the area and aggravate a strike. If they refuse to hit the soft plastics or the crankbait, vertical jig among them with a large jigging spoon until you stir the up. Crappie are still working the creek ledge tops a little better. I still see some of the old timers catching a few working their spider rigs with minnow tipped jigs. The deeper fishermen are working the manmade trash piles with minnows

just above the schools. I talked with some bream fishermen this week, and they are continuing to catch a few on the bank cover and blow downs using wigglers and crickets. Beetle Spins with a black and chartreuse body are also a good bait in the cleaner areas near grass patches. Our trusty ‘ole catfish are always willing to give us a good meal as they continue to hit jugs in the creeks baited with cut bait, hot dogs and chicken livers. If you have a cast net, use it around the docks and bridge pilings to get some fresh shad. This is the best you can get for the catfish. Be safe on the water as the river continues to get lower as the work at the dam continues. School is back in for most, but the weekend is a great time to get the youngsters outside and make those family memories. Please visit www.alclassic.org, sign up for our newsletter to and stay up to date on the great future in store for our fishermen for the June 13, 2021 tournament. The first place team will now enjoy a guaranteed check for $5000.00 thanks to our new title sponsor, Alfa Insurance. The total purse is now $15,000.00 paid down to 15th place. God Bless and good fishn’.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST FISHING THE FALL TRANSITION ON LANIER Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com

October on Lake Lanier means transition. Often you can find fish shallow and in the mid-depth ranges. As well, some fish start to move deep. The lake traditionally begins its turnover/stratification process this month, which provides an additional challenge. As we head into October 2020, the lake is nearly full pool and should be dropping, as it usually does in the fall. September 2020 has been more normal in terms of temperatures, versus last year’s record heat. This traditional weather pattern should bring us some more predictable fall fishing this year on Lanier. Let’s dig in and examine how to approach catching spotted bass in this highly transitional month. Location: As the water temperature cools, the bait, and therefore many of the fish, begin to move shallower in search of the warmer water that remains. As always, staying up with the location of the bait is key to consistently catching fish. To complicate matters, the lake traditionally begins its turnover process in September/October, which provides an unstable environment for the bait and the fish. During this time, focus your efforts on the areas of the lake that have not yet or already have turned over or stratified. Look for the clearer water, and avoid water that has a dark, cloudy, or coffee look to it. Often, you can find fish shallower in the creeks during this period. However, some fish may also be deeper relating to the brush that

had been holding fish through September. Some of the fish may go even deeper and begin relating to the timber edges in preparation for winter. Obviously, there are numerous factors to consider when searching for the catchable fish in October. Examine your options, understand the status of the lake and the effect of recent weather changes, stay flexible in your search, and stay on the move until you find a viable, repeatable pattern during your fishing day. Now let’s examine some potential lure choices. Lures and Presentation MidDepth 1. Topwater/Swimbait– This bite in October can be outstanding. Large schools of fish can be found around humps and points near the creek or river channel, typically more near the mouths. Experiment with different baits and presentations to match the conditions. A Zara Spook, Chug Bug and Gunfish are some of my favorite topwater baits. On the swimbait side, make sure to try the Sweet Bait Company swim bait offerings. Awesome baits!

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2. Georgia Jig – Great bait throughout the fall on Lake Lanier. Tip the jig with a twin tail trailer, and fish the bait around rocky/ clay points, on ledges and timber edges. Take your time and work it slowly. Lures and Presentation Shallow 1. Shaky Head – A Lanier Baits head with a Jimbo’s Fat Finesse worm can be an awesome bait in October. Fish shallow around docks and secondary points with this bait for some hammers. 2. Senko – A great bait to fish shallow around docks as it can be skipped under and around objects with ease. Dead stick the bait and wait for the tick! 3. Crankbait – Tie on a Spro Little John DD and target shallower rock points toward the end of the month. This can be a particularly good approach at daylight. 4. Spinnerbait – A Georgia Blade spinnerbait can really get cracking for you in October once the water temperatures fall into the 60’s. I like the double white willow blade combination and the #9 skirt choice. Check out GA Blade online or pick up some of their super creations at Hammonds Fishing and other tackle stores around North Georgia. Lures and Presentation Suspended 1. Super Spin– This is an excellent producer on Lanier. Fish the bait at the depth you see the fish suspending near bait balls. Understand the fallrate for your rig and count the bait down to the depth of the fish and maintain that depth. 2. Jerk Bait – Another great tool for targeting suspending fish. Choose

a bait that suspends at the depth the fish are holding and experiment with your retrieve cadence until you find what the fish are looking for any given day. I really like the SPRO offerings in the jerkbait – both the McStick and the McRip. I still have a few dates available this October, but they are going fast. Call me to book a trip! See you on the water Jimbo is a full-time, year-round spotted bass guide on Lake Lanier. Contact him today to book a trip! For more information or to book your trip, contact Jimbo on Lanier! 770-542-7764. Jimbo’s website: www. jimboonlanier.com.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST CHATUGE HYBRID By: Darren Hughes Owner: Hughes General Store & Bait Shop The Angler Magazine Fishing Team & Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021

September was an insane month out here! These hybrids and spots have been biting everywhere on the lake, and we’ve been absolutely wearing them out. October should remain about the same. It’s de-finitely one of the best fisheries in North Georgia and October is a perfect time to come get your fish on! Currently, Lake Chatuge is 3 feet below full pool. Water temps are in the low 80s, and water clarity is clear throughout the lake. Hybrid and spotted bass fishing remains great. The fish are still schooling in large numbers. Our average trips are still consisting of 30 to 40 fish. Most of our hybrids are averaging 5-10 pounds. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardestfighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The spotted bass bite is on fire as well and we’ve been loading the boat with these feisty fish. The early morning and

mid-afternoon bite has been prime for both fish. Look for schools of fish along the main channel and off points. Down lining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Search out your areas and watch your electronics. When you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by midmorning. Topwater bite has picked up considerably, and you can find a fish busting everywhere. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a Spook, or Redfin at the ready. October fishing on Lake Chatuge is always exciting. Remember, live bait on this lake can be the difference between a successful day of fishing and a horrid one. For all of your bait and tackle needs, come visit us at Hughes General Store in Blairsville. It’s the best place around for quality live blueback herring. We also carry ethanol-free gas and have some of the best hot, made-from-scratch biscuits in North GA. For guided fishing trips on Lakes Chatuge, Apalachia, Hiwassee, or Nottely, or questions about the bait shop, call me, Darren

Hughes, at Hughes General Store. And whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, give

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST JACKSON LAKE By Brian Lee leebrian16 @yahoo.com Water temperature: high 80’s-low 90’s, lake level: full, clarity: clear/stained. The fall bite isn’t very far away, and topwater in the mornings is wide open. Throw a Spook, buzzbait or Pop-R along deeper sea walls. Run as many spots as you can before the sun gets above the tree line. Once the sun is above the trees, throw a shaky head or

C-rig on points and docks. On any brush you find, slow down and fish it thoroughly. The offshore bite will still produce fish as all the bass will not move up at once. A drop-shot is a very effective way to catch offshore bass. Humps and brush will be your key areas to look for. Be patient, the bass will give you a key as to what you need to be doing. Each bite will give you something to go on. Just remember what and where you were and what you were doing. Just duplicate it and you will catch fish. Till next month, tight lines.

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LAKE BURTON Forecast by: Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 770-318-9777 www.georgialakefishing.com Water temperature: 79 degrees, lake level: full pool, clarity: clear. Bass: The spotted bass are still biting the drop-shot rig really well. We haven’t caught the size fish that Burton is known for, but the number of fish has been surprising. We have been working the backs of creeks in the 13 to 20 foot depths close to grass. The topwater bite has just begun as well. Keep a Heddon Torpedo or a topwater plug ready for these fish that are on the move and surfacing regularly. The blue back herring schools are everywhere in the backs of the creeks, and the bass

are always close to them. This bite should continue for the next few weeks as we transition into a cooler November bite. Yellow Perch: The perch bite has been great the last few weeks. We have caught most of our fish on a drop-shot rig on clay points in the 20 foot depth range. Roboworms have been working the best. Try locating the fish on the electronics and working an area with several casts before moving. Just remember, when you find one yellow perch, there are several others. Small Little Cleo spoons have also been working well. The yellow perch will start moving up shallow this month and will be easier to catch in the shallows as the water temperatures dive. Good luck!

Bass: The spotted bass are still biting the drop-shot rig really well.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST WEST POINT LAKE

Now is the time to book your fall striper trips to insure you get a good day! Peak fall fishing is from October 15th - December 15th. For more info on booking a trip, go to my website LakeWestPointFishing. com. Bass: Good - October usually marks a big improvement in fishing in general. As the days start to get a little shorter and the temps cool, expect a drastic improvement in the bass fishing. As usual, a few largemouth and spots are still being caught on pond dams, ledges and road beds in the main lake area. Also, drop-shotting can be effective in these areas. Best fishing is around brush piles or other structure in these areas, if you can find them. Water generation always

improves this bite. Downsize baits in these same areas and improve your chances for spotted bass. More fish will move shallow with cooler water temps, and this pattern should improve as the water cools and we move into fall. Topwater baits such as Rebel Pop R’s, Zara Spooks and Spro Poppin Frogs will become more effective for shallow fish, especially around grass and weed beds and wood. If they decide to pull the lake down, it can really stack fish up around the shallow cover that is still in the water. Try targeting the mouths of feeder creeks north of the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee. Also, have a jig handy to pitch into wood cover in these same areas. Spotted bass are still your best bet on the south end of the lake. Spots are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Zoom trick worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm around shoal markers. Also, try a small Texas rigged worm or a pig-

n-jig around blown down trees. If it should cool down early, we could even get a good bite on spoons by the end of the month. Surface schooling groups of fish will also hit the Flash Mob Jr. rig, a favorite in the fall. Linesides: Good - After a good summer in general for schooling topwater action on the main lake, I expect surface schooling on the main lake to continue into this fall. These fish can generally be caught on Rooster Tails, topwaters, pop-n-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Start early or stay late for the best results. The mouths of Maple and Whitewater Creeks will usually produce. Expect the down-line bite on live bait to continue to improve as we move toward fall, with the best yet to come in late fall and early winter. In most years, we are catching a good mixed bag of whites, hybrids, stripers and spots on vertically jigged spoons

by the end of the month. Humps and old road beds near the mouth of most major creeks will generally hold fish. Crappie: Good - The fish will typically move shallower and hold on mid-depth brush and structure or under docks as the water temps drop into the 70s or below. Try drop-shotting minnows or shooting docks in 5-15 feet of water for the best results. You can really do well if you find one of these schools. Try the cuts and coves in Yellow Jacket Creek and from Highland Marina north to Wolf Creek in the Chattahoochee. Some fish will start to move a little shallower as the water slowly cools, maybe by the end of the month. Minnows fished under a float will usually work on them, when you find them. Any blowdown near deep water is a good starting point. Night fishing is still pretty good. Try under the bridges with lights.

Spotted bass are still your best bet on the south end of the lake.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE MARTIN

LAKE BLUE RIDGE Provided By: David Hare Alex City Guide Service 256-401-3089

Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973

lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

Water temperature: 74 degrees, lake level: winter pool, clarity: 6 to 7 feet. Lake is being drawn down, temps are dropping and the walleye are moving towards the shallower structure to feed both early and late in the day. Trolling, jigging spoons and casting deep, slow retrieve baits is the go-to this month as the fish start to transition. As far as baits go. I like bright colors early, then clear, drab colors mid-day and chrome, gold in the evening. Some trial and error on your behalf will help narrow it downÂ a bit. We are seeing lots of fish in the 16 to 21â€? size class with a few 23â€? fish mixed in.Â The perch bite has been good for the last few weeks, and we are

seeing some really nice fish in the 14-15â€? class. Live minnows, small jigs and small spoons have been productive early in the day. Spots are everywhere. Literally every point is holding fish from the dam to point 8. Use your sonar to locate them as some are suspended and some are on the bottom. I like fishing deep cranks and jerk baits this month. Use the same color choices for the spots throughout the day as the walleye.Â For more info, find us atÂ www. lakeandstreamguideservice.com.

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Water temperature: 83 degrees, lake level: full pool, clarity: clear. September fishing for the most part was good. We had several successful trolling trips as you can see in the pictures below. With October on top of us, we will continue to troll following stripers as they are transitioning into their fall pattern. To be able to catch the October stripers, you must be on the water a lot and be willing to cover a lot of water while fishing due to the frequent movement of the stripers in October. Youâ€™re likely to find them in different areas daily. Being a full time guide service with several guides, we probably communicate during the trips more this month than any other month. It takes all of us to stay on them in October. Itâ€™s a lot of work, but can pay some very big dividends in the right conditions during October. Thereâ€™s not a certain area of the lake to concentrate on in October, but you should probably still be searching in deep water. For the most part, they are still going to be deep, maybe not as deep as in the summer, but they

will still be deep. If you have a buddy you can work with to help you stay on them, then youâ€™re ahead of the game already. Donâ€™t assume when you see other boats in a certain area that they are on fish, because they too most likely are searching just like you. Get out on the water, put the hours and miles on your boat this month, and you too will reap the rewards. Until next month, tight lines.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST CLARKS HILL LAKE

The lake is currently 1 foot low and surface temperatures are hovering around 81 degrees in the morning. The summer sun is hanging on deep into September, and the fish have responded by staying deep on the lower end of the lake. Live bait and spoons will continue to be the ticket until the cool nights arrive. As fall arrives, topwater schooling activity can be anticipated. When acres of fish blow up on the surface, even the most experienced fishermen get overcome

with excitement and joy. These fish can be targeted with a variety weapons such as pencil poppers, Zara Spooks and Sammies, considered walk the dog lures. Weighted soft plastics like the Zoom Super Fluke Jr. are a staple as well as chrome Rat-L-Traps, small casting spoons and Alabama rigs. A good pair of binoculars and patience are required, but you can have your heart pounding out of your chest in no time. Topwater activity is already happening on the upper end of the lake below Richard B. Russel dam and midlake around the 378 bridge. Give us a call and get in on the action. You will not be disappointed. 706 210-3474. www.littleriverguideservice.net

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST FISHHUNTER BY LOWRANCE By Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com 770-889-2654

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Lowrance has a new advanced portable sonar, the FishHunter 3D. This bobber allows the anglers all the versatility of a castable sonar with enhanced features like directional casting view, custom mapping and fishing with 3D images. This is sonar technology that is the size of a tennis ball, and it is very affordable. And you do not need a boat. FishHunter is pocket sized technology that floats on the surface of the water and sends you sonar views via the FishHunter app. It tracks bottom depth, water temperature, and fish location and lures to help you find and catch more fish. Even if you have conventional sonar technology, FishHunter gives you access to shallow and vegetative areas you could not reach by boat. If you’re used to traditional sonar views, you can replicate this on your mobile device via the FishHunter app. The classic view produces results in real time from our powerful transducer. Be the expert, interpreting the classic sonar view to determine the depth and structure beneath FishHunter, along with ‘arches’ in the water, the telltale sign of fish nearby. For those who want the simplest view of what’s going on beneath FishHunter, use the Fish ID. Lowrance interprets the data for you, simplifying the bottom structure to give you the clearest view below the water. Most importantly, Fish ID clearly points out the target for you with one of three different sized fish icons. And add Pinpoint Casting Accuracy with FishHunter 3D. Its unique 5 transducer arrangement shows anglers where fish are in relation to your cast. This feature dramatically increases your chances of catching fish by landing your bait as close to them as possible. There is also Three Dimensional Fishing. When you don’t have much time out on the water, these lifelike images of what’s going on beneath your FishHunter 3D will give you the best chance of finding and catch-

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With the Three Dimensional Mapping, exclusively with FishHunter 3D, anglers can understand their favorite fishing territories inside out with 3D mapping. You can now form accurate and beautiful custom maps, see drop offs, ledges and ditches with uncompromising clarity and mark your favorite fishing spots with waypoints. With FishHunter 3D, you can also create custom maps of the depth and bottom contour of the area you’re fishing by drifting, reeling or trolling your castable behind your boat. Even the most inaccessible areas can be mapped effectively by FishHunter, including shallow and vegetative spots. One of the key features is Reliable Wi-Fi, No Data Connection Required. Offering a more reliable connection than Bluetooth®, the Wi-Fi33 connection between FishHunter and your smartphone or tablet does not require a cellular or internet connection and keeps your phone available for texts and calls. This buoy-like design gets a more reliable Wi-Fi connection with FishHunter’s unique design. There are multiple fishing views so anglers can watch fish relating to changes in bottom contours. The FishHunter’s 3D Fishing View can quickly check water depth and the location of fish relative to the FishHunter 3D with Directional Casting. Anglers can create custom maps with bathymetric color contour charts or structure maps of their favorite fishing spot or the entire lake by trolling FishHunter 3D behind your boat, canoe or float tube. There is an integrated LED light so FishHunter 3D is easy to see during early morning and nighttime conditions. It also functions as battery indicator/charging light. With the FishHunter App, you can log catches, waypoints and anglers can follow friends and even live stream catches around the world with the free FishHunter app, available from the IOS App and Google Play stores. See more at www.lowrance.com.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST FALL: THE CROSS-OVER SEASON Dr. Andrew Cox When you read this article, hunting season will be well underway in Alabama and Georgia. With the dove season opening day in September, 2020, hunting season began in Alabama and Georgia. During October, dependent upon species, archery and some dimension of gun season will commence in both states. The fall months are welcomed by many outdoor persons for the various hunting opportunities. The fall months are also my favorite angling season for both fresh and saltwater species. The water is cooling, with fish moving into shallower waters. They are now more catchable on shallow water lures and baits. Most fish species that I target are active during this season to include coldwater trout, largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth

bass, crappie, bream, speckled trout, and redfish. Air temperatures are more comfortable for the angler spending time on the water. Hunting season also takes many anglers off the water making streams, rivers, and lakes less crowded with fewer anglers and boaters. A variety of baits continue to be effective during the fall season. Shallow water baits such as spinnerbaits, in-line spinners, and shallow running lures seem to be effective over the course of this month. Soft plastic baits can be effective in shallow and intermediate depth water off banks and points. Fish can be caught on topwater baits and flies on the flyrod at certain times of the day during this month. Using various size leadhead jigs are good choices for most species found in local waters.

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ing along with the at times excellent fall fishing. Time will tell the story of how involved I become in this annual fall and winter outdoor activity as a supplement to angling. Whatever your sporting interest, fall is a great time to be outdoors in the South. Author’s Note: Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. His writing interests specialize in angling and travel, human interest, and general fishing technique oriented topics. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over forty years. He has also fished the waters of most states within the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and several Caribbean islands. He enjoys fresh and saltwater fishing for bass, bream, crappie, trout, redfish, and speckled trout using fly, baitcasting, and spinning equipment. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.

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Just as many anglers that frequent our waters at various times of the year are distracted during the fall months with hunting, I too have thought about hunting as an outdoor pursuit. I have never really developed an interest in hunting. However, I do have some interest in shooting doves and have been lucky enough to be invited to several dove fields for a day of shooting. In preparing for various shoots, I had to make some purchases to include shotgun shells, some camouflage clothing, and of course a hunting stool to make it more comfortable while waiting for the doves to fly onto the field. I was amazed at the many hunting gadgets and paraphernalia, some of which I had no idea regarding their use. Just as in fishing, there is a learning curve as to what is required, what is desired, and what is superfluous in regards to enjoying field sports. As I am a novice hunter, I don’t think the doves have much to be concerned about. Maybe I will become a better shot in subsequent years and improve my ability to take down the doves on the field. At this juncture, I believe that I can intersperse some dove hunt-

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST CARTERS LAKE Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973

lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

Water temperature: 76 degrees, lake level: full +/-5 feet, clarity: 6 feet. The month of October can bring the change we have all been looking for. Cooler temps, shorter days and lake turnover are all in play this month. That doesn’t mean to look for a fall pattern just yet, but it’s coming. Turnover can be problematic until you find feeding fish that have moved to more stable water. As far the stripers go, don’t expect a big change until about the end of the month or early November. They are still holding deep in the creek mouths, but in the last couple weeks we have been seeing some fish being caught in 40 feet. The hybrids have moved back in the creeks with the bait or into the lower part of the main river under huge schools of small bait. Jigging spoons, Capt. Mack’s umbrella rigs and live bait are all good options this month. Worley and Fisher are good starting points. Spots are starting to feed on the giant schools of bait as well. We have been catching busting fish with the flutter spoons. Just get it close and let it sink on a slack line. I like the Blue Fox spoons in chrome and green for casting. Anywhere you see bait up shallow is where you need to be fishing. The walleye bite continues to

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be good early in the morning and right at dark. Spoons have been our top producers in recent weeks, outfishing live bait. We have had some 6 and 7 fish days recently all on artificials targeting fish in the 60 to 80 foot range. After sun down, you want flashy and noisy baits to help attract the fish’s attention. Deep water adjacent to any shallow humps or shoals that the fish use to corral bait are key locations. For more info, find us at www. lakeandstreamguideservice.com.

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE SEMINOLE

LAKE HARTWELL By Preston Harden Bucktail Guide Service www.bucktailguideservice.com (706) 255-5622 Water temperature: low 80s, lake level: full pool. Fishing has been tough. Hot water and a thermocline to the dam has been tough on most game fish. Hybrids and striper fishing has been slow with bait but good with power reeling and trolling. There is a difference between seeing loads of fish on the sonar and catching them. Power reeling and trolling get the reaction

strike that you cannot mimic with live bait. I think the big problem has been too much rain. Less rain would help the water quality. Cooling water temps as we move into fall should have a positive effect on the fishing. I will have a Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost minnow ready for the topwater bite that gets going in October. Bass fishing has been tough. They will become more active with the cooler weather of fall. They will move back to shallower water. Unlike spring, fall usually sees no crowds, beautiful fall colors and active shallow fish.

LAKE CHATUGE Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchsguideservice. com 706-455-2323 Water temperature: 80-81 degrees, lake level: 2.5 feet below full pool, clarity: clear. We have still been having some strange summer weather with cool nights, hot days and plenty of rain. This type weather has kept the bait down all year and the bass scattered. But fall is in the air, and it’s my favorite time of year to fish. When you can get to the lake before daylight, and as the sun is coming up, pull the rod out of the locker box with your favorite topwater lure tied on and chug it across the point, waiting for the big one to hit. But if it doesn’t happen, that’s okay, because you know when you get home that afternoon you’ve got college football to watch. TVA has already started pulling the lake down for winter pool, and the water temps have come down with these cooler nights. We are starting to see more topwater action throughout the day. I’m starting out with a chrome Cane Walker or a chrome Whopper Plopper. These fish are back down as fast as they 28 ATLANTA

OCTOBER 2020

come up, so I’m throwing these lures on a medium heavy spinning rod so I can make long cast on breaking fish. Once they go down, I follow up with a Strike King 3.25” Rage Swimmer on a 1/8 ounce swimbait hook or a Fish Head Spin with a Rage Swimmer. Later on in the day, I start targeting long points and bank lines with a dropshot, shaky head and Texas rig worm. If there is a windy day, I’ll throw a ½ ounce spinnerbait in white. I know 2020 has been a tough year, and I hate to wish any bad luck on us, but we’re in bad need of a cold winter so we can have a good shad kill. We’ve not had a good shad kill in about 8 to 10 years. Our North Georgia lakes are getting way too plentiful with blueback herring baitfish, and it can get to the point that the lakes get out of balance. Remember, we guide on 8 different lakes, so if you’re looking for some great fishing, give Welch’s Guide Service a call. We’re your #1 guide service, and we’ve been doing this since 2001.

Forecast By: by Capt. Paul Tyre paultyrefishing@yahoo.com Lake Seminole is a half foot below full pool and the water temperature is in the mid 80’s. The Flint and Chattahoochee River arms of the lake have a slight stain while Spring Creek remains clear. The bass fishing has been very good through September! The topwater bite continues to catch some big bass on Lake Seminole. Buzzbaits and walking baits like a Heddon Zara Spook fished along the edges of the grass lines on the Flint River arm of the lake has been a very productive. As we move into October, the bass will be in their fall feed, feeding on shad. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are very productive when the bass start chasing shad in the fall. For an exciting Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure this fall, email us @lakeseminolefishingadventures@

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST HOOKED UP

By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series 201 Woods Lane, Hartwell, GA 30643

It’s been a long time since I got a hook stuck in me. I try to be careful when tying on a lure, when landing fish, and when removing hooks from fish. But if you do enough fishing, at some point, you’re probably going to get stuck. Now, probably 99% of the times I’ve felt the pointy end of the hook piercing my skin, I was able to react quickly enough to prevent it from doing much more than a simple prick of the skin. That other 1% of the time is when the hook becomes embedded beyond the barb, and that’s what happened last week. In this particular case, I wasn’t even fishing. I was just cleaning up some tackle in my man-cave. As you can imagine, I’ve got waaaaaay

too much fishing gear. At least that is what my wife tells me on a regular basis. I’ve got a wire rack where I hang lures to dry after I’ve fished with them, or when I wash everything down after a trip to the ocean. I like to let my Whoop-Ass bucktails dry in the air, versus drying in the tackle box. It keeps the filaments of the bucktail nice and straight, and it also keeps the hooks from rusting. The same goes for my hard plastic lures, spinnerbaits and trolling plugs. On this particular occasion, I had just hung up a spinnerbait, and as I was taking my hand away, my finger got a little too close to a MirrOlure Top Dog, and in a split second, I was having a tug of war with the wire rack. The bottom treble

hook of the Top Dog had completely buried itself into the tip of my middle finger. In reality, I really didn’t even feel the hook go in. The hooks are supersharp, and this was a freshly cleaned and hardly-used plug. Now I’ve got a huge plug dangling off the end of my finger, and each time I moved my hand the plug also moved, which caused the hook to move, which caused me to wince in pain. After determining I wasn’t going to pass out from shock, the next step was to get the hook off the plug. Fortunately, I’ve got some great Cuda Cable Cutters, and after four snips the hook eye had a gap big enough to fall free from the eye screw on the plug. You might say “Why not just cut the hook at the shank?” If you do, then you have nothing to grab securely during the removal procedure. It’s better to keep the entire hook intact. For the 1% of the time I’ve had an embedded hook in me, probably 95% of the time I’ve been able to remove it myself either by pushing it on through enough to expose the barb, cutting the barb off and then backing the shank out. Or I’ve done

the ‘piece of monofilament wrapped around the shank and jerking it out the way it came in’ method. Google both of these methods and you’ll never want to get near a fishing hook again. Neither of them are fun for the hook-ee. I tried both of these methods this time too and neither of them proved fruitful. The net result was a lot of pain, and no success. So, it’s off to the doctor we go. I live on the lake. Our local doctors have seen plenty of hooks in anglers. The procedure was pretty simple; a little Novocain, some surgical skills to expose the barb, and then the sterilized bolt cutters. Doc closed the small incision with Super Glue, and one Bugs Bunny BandAid later, I was walking out of the office. Oh, and I got a tetanus booster shot too. Lesson learned. Now my wire lure drying rack has fewer lures, so it’s darn near impossible to touch two lures at the same time. And I’ve gained a new respect for just how sharp MirrOlure hooks are. Wishing all of you many days of only putting your hooks in fish. Tight lines and calm seas.

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OCTOBER 2020

ATLANTA 29

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE ALLATOONA

LAKE NOTTELY STRIPER By: Shane Goebel Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team www.bigolfish.com 828-361-2021, 1-844-4-ANGLER October in the North Georgia Mountains is a fantastic time to hit the water. With the beautiful views of the changing leaves and the cool comfortable temps, a day on the water seems like a dream come true after this long hot summer, not to mention the fishing is also great! This is the perfect time to hit the lake and experience some extreme striper fishing, and what’s the best way to do that? By booking a trip with Blairsville, GA’s #1 striper guide service: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service. We’ve been striper fishing these mountain lakes a long time and have what it takes to put you on some huge fish. Currently, Lake Nottely is 6 feet below full pool. Water clarity is clear and water temps are in the low 80s. Striper fishing was excellent in September and October will be just as good. We’re currently still finding big schools of fish. Most of our stripers have been in the 4-8 pound range with a bunch 15 to 20 pounders mixed in. The early-

30 ATLANTA

OCTOBER 2020

morning and evening bites are your best times to see action. With the cooling water temps, continue to target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel but also look for schools to move back into the creeks. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 8 to the dam. The topwater bite has picked up a lot, so keep a Spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surface-busting fish. The fish will start to spread out here soon and move into the creeks. We will then move to all planer boards and free lines. We will also start pulling bigger baits for much bigger fish. October is a fantastic month for catching some great trophy stripers in the North Georgia Mountains. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1 rated guide service put you on some of Lake Nottely’s most explosive striped bass. We are Blairsville, GA’s only full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lake Hiwassee, Chatuge and Blue Ridge. And for all your live blueback herring and tackle needs, check out Hughes General Store in Blairsville, GA. They carry everything you need for a successful day of fishing. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

404-834-0007 These past several weeks have shown the linesides to be schooling up nicely, and there is a fantastic topwater bite we hope to enjoy now through the end of October. While this fantastic phenomenon has been prevalently enjoyed around the morning and evening ‘golden hours’, the topwater bite can occur at intervals throughout the days and nights. We have seen sustained topwater boiling of hybrids, stripers and white bass in intervals up to a full hour during this time of year. While they are in a feeding frenzy, most any artificial you can get in front of them could produce. If I could only have ONE lure for these topwater times, it might just be a small but fairly heavy spoon that can be cast up to 50 yards to reach a distant boil. In this spoon application, try your best to cast beyond the boiling where possible, and immediately start reeling and ‘skimming’ the top. When you are in the midst of the schooling fish, tossing out a larger bait on a freeline is almost always a win. We try to keep a few small to medium gizzards and even a few hook and line caught bream on hand at all times in preparation for these schooling fish. We always have a little beefier medium heavy spinning rod with 12-pound. fluorocarbon at the ready. Almost without exception this setup will pick up a larger fish from the school during these peak topwater shad-chasing events. A lot of good fish are being caught in the heat of the day in water around 20-25 feet deep by spooning, and in the cooler evenings on flats as shallow as 2-8 feet deep. Bouncing a spoon off the bottom has worked well for us overall. Recently, we have marked schools of hybrids and strip-

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ers hanging in 22-30’ over 50-75’ in mid-channel and have had success pulling spoons up through them using a vertical spooning technique, with fish eating on the rise and fall of the spoon. For the most part, the target start depth for downlining has been at around 15 feet down with live threadfins on a #1 octopus or mosquito hook. Frisky bait can be hard to top at most times, but we have witnessed that spoons worked through these same fish might produce equally well (if not better) at select times. Fresh bait may only last a few minutes on the hook with the current temperatures. They are spot on if you are dropping them into fish, but not for scouting unless you came equipped with 5-6 dozen pieces of bait. The crappie bite is surely slower than we’d like right now. While we have not personally given them a fair targeting, we are pulling very limited catches out of brush on the south end with just minnows and believe that the bulk of these fish are still channel surfing and hanging on the ledges as well as living the good marina life, particularly on the north end of the lake. They will not elude us for long, especially when we set our attention to targeting them. We would very much like for you to consider us for your next Outdoor Adventure. We strive to exceed your expectations and make every Adventure well worth the time spent. We cater to everyone - from the first-timer to the avid ‘old-timer’. Let’s go fishing! Please call us at 404-919-4918, visit us on FB @Heron Outdoor Adventures or at https://www.heronoutdooradventures.com/

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LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST STORY OF SMALL WATERS Contributed By: Jay Striker www.jaystriker.com Not long ago, I got invited to fish a small body of water north of Atlanta and to demonstrate some of the baits made by SHL Lures, the maker of Fish Head Baits. John, the owner, and I met at the location with another gentleman, Dave, who I was meeting for the first time. I arrived a few moments earlier that morning so that I could look at the lake so I could see the water clarity, structure, etc. The lake was one of the most beautiful lakes that I had seen in quite some time, and the anticipation of making the first cast was driving me crazy. The weather that morning was a bit chilly, but it was calling for sunny skies and very little wind. We got our poles ready and launched the boat. Before getting ready to board the boat and cast off, a rush of thoughts came to mind about how small waters have captured some of my fondest memories. I was lucky enough to have tons of experience fishing small waters as a kid and young adult. It was like riding a bike when it was time to show John and Dave how to catch fish using the Fish Head brand of baits. Rocks, wood, laydowns, flats, and small docks are just some of the things I would target while fishing this body of water. Rocks: Targeting roadway rocks or riprap in small waters are places bass will go first thing in the morning to feed on small offerings such as crawfish, small minnows, and just

about whatever is available to eat at the time. John had tied on the Fish Head Primal Spin and threw toward the rocks near the bank. Sure enough, there was the big splash as a largemouth took John’s bait. The fish was a big one and then pulled off. Wow, I knew then that we were in for a beautiful day. Wood laydowns: We continued to ride around the 10-acre lake and came upon a flat that had some blowdowns on it. I could feel the anticipation of a bite coming soon. I pulled out the Fish Head Primal Buzz Bait and threw it past one of the laydowns, and man, it sounded like a brick just landed in the water. The fish pulled and put up one of the best fights that I had in a while from a solid 5-pound largemouth. I quickly landed the fish, took a picture, and then put it back in the water. Flats: Small flats on small lakes are cruising grounds for largemouth bass, especially if it is not far from some deeper water. The backside of this lake was some shallow water near a deeper channel, and I could tell the way the terrain looked that this flat was near a 45-degree bank, which signaled deeper water. Dave, threw the Fish Head Primal Vibe, a vibrating swimbait and soon was hooked up on a pretty good largemouth. John, Dave, and I found ourselves having one of the best times

of our lives, and we stayed on that lake all day long, catching fish, telling stories (fish lies), having a ball, and enjoying each other’s company. Let me close by saying that when deciding where to fish this fall, don’t overlook small waters as some of

the biggest fish of a lifetime could be near rocks, laydowns, and flats waiting to take your offering and give you the fight of a lifetime. As always, thanks for allowing me to carve out some of your time to read the Angler Magazine.

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OCTOBER 2020

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Wall of Fame WINNER!

WIN A FREE ANGLER MAGAZINE CAP! One will be given away each month for the best reader submitted photo!

Molly Cox with a nice â€˜bow fly fishing with Reel Em In Guide Service.

While fishing with Kenansville Guide Service, Lea Anne Powell caught her personal best 7.8 pound Florida strain largemouth on a swimbait.

Lora Mainor with a big slab on Lake Eufaula.

. Woodie Malone ventured down to Apalachicola and caught this huge 23 pound tripletail.

Chris, Miller and Cullen Edwin with a big mess of fishing on Lake Eufaula.

Ethan Box fishing Lake Eufaula with Captain Sam Williams.

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teamed blue crabs seasoned with J.O. No.2 or a custom blend that J.O. manufactures is the flavor people experience at crab establishments all over. Most people credit this crab house seasoning to another product but J.O. has been the crab houses’ seasoning of choice since 1945. J.O. Spice, started by J.O. (James Ozzle) Strigle and his wife Dot in Baltimore City in 1945, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. A native of Tangier Island, Va., J.O. Strigle brought the seafood spice blend he created in his kitchen on the island to Maryland. Jane McPhaul, J.O.’s daughter took over operations of the family business in the late eighties while her son, Don Ports, was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1990 Don joined his mother in the family business with a vision to expand. In the summer of 1991 Don met his spice girl, Ginger, with the pick up line, “you’re destined to be mine; you’re named for a spice,” said J.O. Spice Company president Don Ports to wife Ginger Ports the moment they met. Twenty eight years later, Don and Ginger- alongside their children Brittany, Tyler and Bethany, are continuing the family traditions of quality seasonings, spices, and more at reasonable prices at their Halethorpe based J.O. Spice Company. “We can provide crab houses everything they need for the crab eating experience, minus the crabs”, Don says. The company added crab boxes, crab paper, bushel baskets, crab knives, crab mallets and a variety of other items to their offerings. “We purchased our first laser engraver and that opened the door to the retail gift world and personalized options,” Don says. J.O. specializes in custom blended seasonings for pizza companies, pit beef stands, butchers, potato chip companies and more. We are more than seafood seasonings. “My children, the fourth generation, and our amazing team work side-by-side to make all of this happen,” Ginger says. “At J.O., we are all family who enjoy working with so many other family businesses. We are blessed.” Please visit us at jospices.com.

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This 18-pound Everglades snook is proof that big fish eat artificials. It ate a Chicken on a Chain-colored Knockin Tail Lure.

ctober is one of the best months to fish in the southern United States. This transition month signals the migration of marine life along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, creating a feeding frenzy and a great opportunity for anglers in more ways than one. The obvious opportunity is an abundance of feeding fish congregating in the path of schools of bait. From the mullet run on the Atlantic to the shrimp migration of the Texas and Louisiana marsh, these two annual migrations give anglers the opportunity to catch any native fish they desire. Some of the more popular game fish include snook, tarpon, speckled trout, redfish and flounder. The flounder will also be making their annual voyage to spawn in open water, which makes them extremely easy to target. In addition to making fish easier to locate, and catch, the second opportunity is not as obvious. However, I feel it is one of equal importance to hone your fishing skills. The time is now to learn or fine-tune your skills fishing with lures. With aggressively feeding fish, this is the best time to gain confidence throwing plastic, and as the saying goes, “fool’em, don’t feed’em.” As a lifelong angler, I’ve utilized just about every legal means to catch fish, but none are more rewarding than tricking them into eating something that is not natural. Sure, as a youngster I just wanted to catch and that was very rewarding, but until you make the switch you will never know the feeling I am referring to. Soft plastics will pay the most dividends when it comes to artificials. They are tried and true lures and some of the easiest to use. They will also save you money because, unlike a live or dead shrimp, you can catch several fish on one lure. To hone this down even more, paddle-style lures, or swimbaits as they are often called, are the most simple to use for the novice angler. Depending on the area and structure you are fishing near as well as the strength of the current, you will either choose to rig these on a jig head or a weighted weedless hook. A great attribute of the swimbait is it can be very effective on a steady retrieve. For the beginner, you can just cast, reel and catch. It can literally be that simple. The jerk-style or “fluke” soft plastic is also very effective, but takes more effort to fish and you will need to develop “the touch” when working the lure. It’s is not that difficult, but it does take a little practice to produce that erratic action fish love. This fall, pick up a few packs of soft plastic lures, grab a few jig heads, and leave the bait bucket and stinky dead bait at home. The time is now to catch fish, gain confidence in something new, and save money doing it. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures with the built-in tail rattle, Controlled Descent Lures and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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Handle Fish With Care By Jerry Kane

hether you intend to release a fish you catch or legally keep it, the fish should be handled properly... for the fish’s sake – and yours. Any caught fish that you do not intend to keep should be returned to the water immediately with as little stress to the fish as possible. That means minimal handling of the fish. One thing can make handling fish challenging is fish are slimy, potentially making grasping and holding them difficult. A fish’s coat of slime is what protects it from diseases and parasites. The more a fish is handled, the more its protective slime coat is compromised. The best way to release a fish without causing damage is to remove the hook and release the fish while in the water. There is another option. Take an old kitchen towel with you fishing and soak it. When you catch a fish, cradle the fish in that wet towel. It not only will let you get a good grasp on the fish and prevent possible punctures from fish spines, but it will protect the fish and its slime coat. Remove the hook while holding the fish and then release the fish back into the water. For removing hooks from fish, use needle-nose pliers or forceps. If you plan on releasing all your fish, use the pliers to bend down the barb on the point, making hook removal easier. Another tool you can use is a net made of fish-friendly material that minimizes stress on fish. On the other hand, if you want to harvest some fish, there are ways to handle that. A bucket of water or stringer will keep fish for a short time. Otherwise, place the caught fish on ice immediately.

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Recreational Marlin And Spearfish Harvest Closed In Atlantic

OAA Fisheries closed recreational harvest of Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin and roundscale spearfish on Sept. 30. Fishing for these species in all Atlantic waters will be catch-andrelease-only through Dec. 31. The closure was implemented due to landings PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE MARLIN WORLD CUP information that suggests the 250-landings limit for 2020 had been met and exceeded in September. Under applicable regulations, only catch-and-release fishing is permitted for these species for the rest of the year. HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat category permit holders and persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic tunas General category or Swordfish General Commercial that fish in registered Atlantic HMS Tournaments, may catch-and-release (or tag and release) Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin and roundscale spearfish of all sizes. Atlantic sailfish may continue to be landed and retained consistent with applicable regulations. Anglers are reminded that Atlantic billfish that are released must be handled in a manner that will maximize survival, and without removing the fish from the water. Here are some additional tips:

• Do not remove fish from the water, even for a photo. • Rig a measuring device so the fish can be measured in the water. • Never gaff billfish in the body. Use a lip gaff in the front lower jaw or a snooter. • Use non-offset circle hooks. • If you cannot safely remove the hook, cut the leader as close to the hook as possible. • Use heavier tackle to reduce fight time. • Slowly tow spent fish with the boat until their color/energy returns before release.

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Big Sheepshead Is A Maryland Record

massive 14.1-pound sheepshead caught by an angler targeting speckled trout and striper is a new Chesapeake Bay record, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Daniel Mastronardi Jr., of Dorchester County, Maryland, caught the record-breaking fish on Aug. 9 in the lower bay while fishing peeler crab in about 15 feet of water. Mastronardi’s catch breaks the 13.73-pound record that was set three years ago by Dave Alveberg. Mastronardi, 33, said his catch came unexpectedly. “I really had no idea what I had on the line,” he said. Mastronardi reeled in the recordbreaking sheepshead and immediately called his father to check the current state records. He said, “It really was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.” He plans to have his catch mounted. Maryland state records for sportfish are kept four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Non-tidal, and Invasive. The Maryland record for sheepshead in the Atlantic division weighed 18 pounds and was caught in 2017. The IGFA world record, caught off New Orleans in 1982, weighed 21 pounds, 4 ounces.

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Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and fill out the state record application and call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325. The department recommends fish be immersed in ice water to preserve weight until it can be checked, confirmed and certified. COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

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OCTOBER 2020

SHRIMP BOATS AND OIL RIGS OUT OF GRAND ISLE

By Dana Burkhart

erched on the outer edge of the bayous south of New Orleans, Grand Isle, Louisiana, is like a whole other world to outsiders. Last year, my husband and I entered the Battle at Bridge Side tournament with the Atlanta Saltwater Sportsman’s Club, simply because neither of us had ever fished Louisiana. Arriving over the bayous hinted at the otherworldliness of this excursion. We had entered a realm where time didn’t hurry or run out; it ebbed and flowed as it pleased, just like the creole accent dripping from every local’s greeting. Our first adventure invoked scenes from Forrest Gump as we prepared to fish the shrimp boats. A line of smaller vessels patiently waited for turns behind Miss Geraldine. While we were waiting, Capt. Ward Lang informed us it would go incredibly fast. We cut up small porgy in anxious preparation. When it was our boat’s turn, I squelched the urge to declare we were WAY too close—I could see the boots of Miss Geraldine’s crew! We inched 5 feet behind Geraldine’s prop wash and threw out fistfuls of porgy parts as we drifted. The fish popped hard for what seemed like a split second, and then it was over. My husband, George, reeled in a 25-pound tuna on the first pass before the rest of us got sharked on the second and third passes. The fish fight coupled with the urgency of this maneuver gave a great shot of adrenaline. All I could say for the next few hours was, “That was awesome!” Ten miles from Bridge Side Marina, we used sabikis weighted with 8 ounces of lead to fill baitwells with blue runners. That bait would fuel an overnight excursion to a deep-water rig. I bowed out; my husband did not. A day and a half later, I welcomed him back, along with his play-byplay account of a bucket-list night. The teenage grin was still on his face as he began: “Once we finally got 100 miles out there, we waited for the sun to go down and the action to pick up. We circled ‘Brutus’ (the rig’s nickname). I caught a beautiful yellowfin head, and a shark got its tail. You know how it goes! “Two of Brutus’ support ships shielded us from the weather, and our captains’ Rhodan spot locks did the rest of the anchor work. We were in 3,000 feet of water with vertical jigs, and the bite was around 350 feet. By 6:30 the next morning, only one person was awake in each boat. We hauled in 31 blackfin with the help of an electric reel. I helped position the outriggers for morning trolling back to the docks and caught a nice mahi. Then I caught a nice snooze in the beanbag. It was amazing!” I rejoined the team on the last day of the tournament. We dropped baits 60 feet around a system of ocean-floor oil pipes and pulled up some nice red snapper. It was nice of the DNR to give us an additional weekend of open season right at the last minute.

COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM

PENNSYLVANIA’S

POPPIN’ BUG SMALLIES

3-Ply D Face M Pack o

$ 9

By Will Schmidt

ctober means pumpkin spice is everywhere and the smallmouth bite is strong. As the first cold fronts show up, cooler temperatures kickstart a feeding frenzy as the fish rush to fatten up before the long cold winter. Normally we would be hitting the Susquehanna River this time of year. The Susquehanna runs right through Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is known as one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the country, especially for fly fishing. Bob Clouser actually developed the Clouser Minnow here as he helped make the area famous. Unfortunately, we had a hot dry summer that left the river so low it’s hard to even get a kayak around in some parts. Fortunately, one of the Susquehanna’s tributaries, Conodoguinet Creek, seems to stay much more hydrated. The bass have no issues moving up into it. This is a great time of year, even for novice fly fishermen, as it’s all pretty basic from equipment to technique. I use a G. Loomis Asquith 7 weight and a Nautilus 7/8 with Scientific Anglers floating line and an 8-foot, 10-poundtest leader, but any quality 6 to 8 weight will do. For flies, a yellow, green or black popper works perfectly. You know the kind. They are the popping bugs you find anywhere from high-end fly shops to gas stations with microwavesized fishing departments. The fishing is pretty simple, and even a beginner can catch dozens of fish in a day. The bigger bass tend to hang in the creases created by disruptions in the water produced by rocks sticking up or bridge pilings. Fish these

$ 99 .

Sav 40% creases far downstream of where you think the water has fused again, as there is still a freeway of food being funneled to waiting fish. When there is nothing to create creases, it’s best to concentrate on the shoreline, which holds abundant small fish. Presentation is pretty basic, but accuracy helps. Cast into the crease and let the fly settle until the ripples disappear. If you haven’t hooked up by then, give the fly a slight twitch and pause again. I find that most of my strikes come right after the fly hits the water, so the fish are keying in on that sound. That said, making hard strips with the popper tends to act more like a fire alarm than a dinner bell and sends fish running for cover. Usually, after a couple of twitches, it’s time to recast to keep in the crease. Utilizing a backcast is also useful to work both sides of the creek, especially if you are being guided, so as to not hook your captain. Regardless of whether you are working down the creek by boat, tube or foot, this time of year is great for fly fishermen who want to catch strong and lively smallmouths.

The Return of a

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler and has been writing about fishing for more than two decades. For central Pennsylvania fly trips, contact Wildeastoutfitters@outlook.com.

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Compare to Use Online Use & In-Store Online & In-Store Coleman 635394 $56.49 ITEM 63585 Exp. 11/17/20* LIMIT 3 - Exp. 11/17/20* 7 3 9 3 1 67 83 7 9 3LIMIT 1 6 38- 7

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SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating (5060)

2999$2999

SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating

LIMIT LIMIT 2 - Exp. 11/17/20* 7 3 9 2 9 87 33 69 2 9 82 -3Exp. 6 11/17/20*

18" Working 18" Working Platform Platform Step Stool Step Stool

*73929836 *73929836 * *

RENEWABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY, ENERGY, ANYWHERE ANYWHERE

29 29 99 $

(5060)

Use Online Use & Online In-Store & In-Store

*73926277 *73926277 * *

SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating

$1.89

5499$5499

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*73909029 *73909029 * *

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53% 53%

Compare to Valeo 25521 $10.64

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(3957)

2929

$ 99 $ 99

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130 Piece 130 Piece YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE Gallon, 3 Gallon, 100 PSI100 Oil-Free PSI Oil-Free Tool KitTool3 Kit Air Compressors Air Compressors $ with Case with Case $99 99

AVAIL. INAVAIL. SM, IN SM, MED, LG,MED, XL, XXL LG, XL, XXL

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Use Online Use & In-Store Online & In-Store$830

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$ $99 99 $

SUPERSUPER COUPON COUPON Customer Rating Customer Rating

(1796)

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*73950783 *73950783 * *

*73962686 *73962686 * *

1,000+ Stores 1,000+Nationwide Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com • HarborFreight.com

*73966263 *73966263 * *

*73972557 *73972557 * *

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9/9/20 3:35 9/9/20 PM 3:35 PM

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Exercise Your Liberty Comfort and class go hand in hand in the Liberty Walking Stick. Yours for ONLY $59!

he right to free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly are what make the USA the land of liberty. These constitutional rights are embodied in the Walking Liberty half-dollar, the famous coin showing Lady Liberty striding powerfully and purposely forward into the future. The Liberty Walking Stick showcases this iconic symbol of freedom with a genuine Walking Liberty Silver Half-Dollar— 90% pure silver— struck by the U.S. Mint. The perfect way to celebrate what makes this country great while putting some pep in your step. Today these tributes to a gentleman’s power, prestige, and posture are fetching as much as $200,000 at auction. Because Stauer takes the quicker and less expensive route and goes right to the source, we can offer you the vintageworthy Liberty Walking Stick for only $59! Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the comfort and class of the Liberty Walking Stick for 30 days. If you’re not feeling more liberated, simply send it back within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we walk the talk. Limited Edition. Only 4,999 available! These handcrafted beauties take months to craft and are running (not walking) out the door. So, take a step in the right direction. Call today!

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36" Liberty Walking Stick $79*

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1-800-333-2045

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