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UTDOOR CONNECTION
AUGUST 2016 ESTHERVILLE NEWS Find this publication online at www.esthervillenews.net under ʻSectionsʼ
STORIES, ADVICE AND INFORMATION FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
Fall fishing
HIT LIST
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
2
DUCK SEASON FRAMEWORK CHANGES FOR 2016-17 HUNTING SEASON
A
s we head into the month of August, duck hunters are already making plans for this year’s duck seasons. This will be the third year of the special statewide teal‐only season, and with it come some interesting changes. For the first two years, Iowa took advan‐ tage of the entire 16‐day season and began the first weekend in September. Last year, for instance, that season ran from September 5‐20 with the first year from September 6‐21. This season was a TEAL only season. According Orrin Jones, Iowa DNR Waterfowl Research Biologist head‐ quartered in Clear Lake, there will be some changes this year. Instead of the entire 16‐day teal season, this season has been short‐ ened to nine days and will run from Saturday, September 3 through Sunday, September 11 for both the North and South Zones, while the Missouri River Zone will run from September 3 through September 18.
STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
This will then be followed by a short duck opener, fol‐ lowed by a break and then the remainder of the regu‐ lar season. Here is how it breaks down by zone. During this shorter duck season all species of ducks can be bagged. By Zone In the North Zone, this season will run from Saturday, September 24 through Sunday, October 2, followed by a break until Saturday, October 15, when the regular duck sea‐ son opens and runs through Sunday, December 4. In the South Zone, this short duck season runs from Saturday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 5 with the regular
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season running from Saturday, October 22 through Thursday, December 15. In the Missouri River Zone, there is a two‐day short duck season from Saturday, October 8 through Sunday, October 9. This is followed by the regular season that runs from Saturday, October 22 through Sunday, December 18. Why the change? This was the first ques‐ tion I had for Jones. Why the change? His response was. “What we are trying to do is balance season dates to give duck hunters the best duck hunting opportunities.” According to Jones, Iowa is given cer‐ tain options by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service under which the DNR can construct its waterfowl seasons. The regular duck season is set at 60 days, but the teal season actually gives hunters up to an additional 16 days on the water. However, according to surveys, Iowa’s duck hunters are varied and there is a range of different times during the fall that they like to hunt. Jones says, “We try to take as many things into consideration that we can to address hunter con‐ cerns and to find a good balance. Before we began the experimental season, we surveyed Iowa’s duck hunters. At that time, 60 percent said they support‐ ed a teal season, 20 per‐ cent were opposed and 20 percent were neutral. After the 2014 season, we conducted the same sur‐ vey and found that 50 per‐ cent supported the teal‐ only season, 25 percent opposed it and 25 percent were neutral.” For instance, there are
Water conditions remain good here in northwest Iowa, so shallow wetlands will be attractive for both locally raised and early migrating ducks. Photo by Steve Weisman
those hunters that relish the opportunity to spend 16 days targeting the early teal migration, there are others who really enjoyed the early duck season we used to have in the North Zone in September and there are the diehard duck hunters that relish late sea‐ son duck hunting. As a result, there has to be some give and take. “When we try to balance season dates, we look at migration patterns, harvest numbers, hunter desires and hunter participation,” notes Jones. From that data, the season frame‐ work is designed. What this year means Jones says, “We are in the third year of this exper‐ imental teal season frame‐ work. We could once again design a teal only season that can run up to 16 days, which we did for the first two years. However, we know we have a segment of hunters that really enjoyed having that September short duck sea‐
son during which they could hunt all species of ducks. So, this year, we shortened the teal season on both the North and South zones to nine days and instituted an early nine‐day duck season the North Zone, a shorter five‐ day season in the South Zone and only a two‐day season in the Missouri River Zone.” So, this gives another option for Iowa’s duck hunters to try. After this hunting season, there will be more hunter surveys and data will be collected from all three years of the early TEAL only season. This information will all go into making future deci‐ sions. A forecast for 2016 The best I can say about this is nothing is guaran‐ teed. As Jones says, Mother Nature, the migra‐ tion and the migration pat‐ terns are the true barome‐ ter as to how successful the season will be. If the right northwesters take
place in Canada and the Dakotas, we will have some great duck hunting. If not, it will most likely be a trickle down migration with a lot of days of empty skies. Jones does say that the northern two thirds of Iowa has good water con‐ ditions. This is especially true in the northern tier with summer rains continu‐ ing to keep sloughs and wetlands full, along with standing water from time to time in area fields. The good water conditions led to an excellent population of local ducks, and Jones said the hatches have been good. Unfortunately, the south‐ ern third of Iowa, from I‐80 south, was dry for much of the spring and summer. However, you never know when a weather system can roll through and drop several inches of water. Best bet as we head into late August is to begin scouting out your favorite Turn to DUCK, Page 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
Panel discussion on water quality to take place during Okoboji Blue Water Festival BY STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
Here we are pushing the end of July and we’re only two weeks away from the Okoboji Blue Water Festival. What a day Saturday, August 13 promises to be with fun and educational opportunities for all ages. It’s the perfect place to take the entire family on a West Okoboji Saturday afternoon. So many things to do and to see! That’s why the Festival activities run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the Claudettes taking the stage at 7 p.m. and the great Boz Scaggs highlighting the evening’s festivities at 9 p.m. One of the most meaning‐ ful events of the day will take place from 3:30‐5:30 p.m. with a panel of distin‐ guished guests discussing a most important topic: Water Quality. The event will take place under the big tent in the green space next to Bob’s Drive Inn. Joe McGovern, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, will be the mod‐ erator for the panel discus‐ sion. Here is the list of speakers: •Chuck Gipp, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa today. What is each panelist’s view on water and water quality? Is there a tug of war about this topic? In a recent interview, McGovern shared his excite‐ ment for the panel discus‐ sion. “Thanks to this diverse group of panelists for com‐ ing together to talk about this important topic. I think this will be a meaningful dis‐ cussion and is very impor‐ tant for all Iowans. I hope that we get a lot of people to take the time to not only come, but to participate and share their thoughts. When we talk water quality, every‐ body has a different view, and everybody plays a part. To succeed, however, we Joe McGovern, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage need to work together and Foundation, will serve as moderator for the panel dis- develop a comprehensive cussion on clean water during the Okoboji Blue Water solution.” Festival. According to Greg Drees, Photo by Steve Weisman organizer of the Okoboji Blue Water Festival, “We are •Sean McMahon, execu‐ The format: so fortunate to have such a tive director of the Iowa McGovern will introduce Agriculture Water Alliance the panelists, who will each diverse group of speakers comprise our panel to dis‐ •Jennifer Terry, Des have three to four minutes cuss the most important Moines Water Works to give some background water quality issues facing •Keith Schilling, University information about them‐ us in the Iowa Great Lakes of Iowa hydro‐science engi‐ selves. After introductions, neer McGovern will set the stage and across the state. They will tackle vital and often •Susan Heathcote, Water for the discussion. Program Director for the Obviously, the topic will be controversial subjects, yet the emphasis is on how we Iowa Environmental Council clean water, and the panel bring urban and rural part‐ •Jonathan Gano, Des will discuss their thoughts ners together to face water Moines Public Works on the big picture: why quality challenges." Director water quality matters in
3 www.edwardjones.com
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DUCK, Continued from Page 2 hunting areas. As hunters have found over the past two years, most of the migrating blue‐ winged teal relate to shallow water, mud flats and smaller wetlands, espe‐ cially those with heavy vegetation. They love the seeds and gorge on them to prepare for their next push south. If the shallow water areas have dried up, then hunters will head to the next size sloughs. As for equipment, it is relatively sim‐ ple with only a few decoys needed.
Most hunters use some of their mal‐ lard decoys, mostly hen decoys, because the blue‐winged teal drakes will not be in full plumage yet. Other hunters will use teal decoys to make the spread as realistic as possible. On a personal note I’ve duck hunted here in northwest Iowa for the past 38 years, ever since I moved here from South Dakota. I have tried the teal‐only season, and although I enjoyed it, our hunting party was only able to get into good
teal action a couple of times. I do feel that hunting the areas that we did spooked a lot of the local ducks away so that when the regular season began, we were pretty short on duck numbers. I am hoping that doing the three‐ season mix this year will favor all duck hunters: those that love early teal action, those that like the early duck season and the late season enthusi‐ asts. Only Mother Nature holds the answers!
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Fall fishing hit list
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
BY JASON MITCHELL
For diehard anglers, fall fishing may be the most coveted time of the year. While every angler seems to participate for season openers and early season weekends, many anglers put the rods away and park the boat during the fall so the mystique of fall is not only great fishing but also fewer people. Even on good bites on well‐known fisheries, boat ramp park‐ ing lots sit relatively empty. For hardcore anglers who are obsessed with fishing, fall might be a favorite time of the year. I have often felt that fall fishing is the exact oppo‐ site of spring but there are many similarities. Some of the same locations often produce and many shallow patterns come alive again as water temperatures drop. Like the spring, late afternoons can often pro‐ duce better as water tem‐ peratures can bump up a degree of two. The morn‐ ings often require gloves and the boat is often cov‐ ered in frost. Here is where the spring and fall however are very different. Spring bites often get better when water temperatures pro‐ gressively warm up and slow down if the temps fall off after cold fronts. Fall bites seem to get better as water temps fall and get worst if a warm spell pro‐ gressively bumps water temperatures back up. Cold fall weather seems to make the fishing better while hot unseasonably warm weather often sends
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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The author, Jason Mitchell hosts the popular out‐ door program Jason Mitchell Outdoors, which airs on Fox Sports North (9:00 am Sunday) and Fox Sports Midwest (8:30 am Saturday). More information can be found online at www.jasonmitchelloutdoors.com the fish patterns into disar‐ ray. What is also neat about fall fishing is that every‐ thing seems to be biting. Fall is one of the best times to target trophy walleye, musky, bass and pan fish. If there is one sure fire pat‐ tern for bass and panfish in the upper Midwest, focus on deep break lines that have good green weeds. Deep coontail that grows two to four feet off the bottom along a sharp breaking drop off is a mag‐ net for fish in the fall. Weeds also don’t always have to be green to hold fish in the fall however. Many of the pondweed and cabbage species do die off and brown up after they seed out by late sum‐ mer but brown weeds will still sometimes hold fish if there is good water circula‐ tion. The key for brown and down weeds to hold fish in the fall is close access to deep water and good water circulation. These weed patterns can also be hot walleye and musky locations as well. What makes fall weed patterns different from spring pat‐ terns is that spring weed patterns often also corre‐ late with warmer water. Spring finds us finding fish over large shallow flats and protected bays that warm up faster. Fall weed pat‐ terns often occur over
sharp breaks and exposed areas that have that good water circulation. Another top location for both big walleye and musky are shallow boulders and rip rap. Big rocks seem to attract fish any time of the year but really seem to become even more impor‐ tant in the fall. On some fisheries, fall‐spawning bait‐ fish like tulibee concentrate along rock and rip rap cre‐ ating a prime feeding opportunity for larger bait‐ fish. Some anglers some‐ times overlook this fall‐ spawning baitfish connec‐ tion. Baitfish that spawn and concentrate in the fall include ciscoes, whitefish and tullibee. Many of these fall baitfish spawning pat‐ terns need rock and are also heavily influenced by wind. I can remember situa‐ tions where I found almost all of the baitfish and relat‐ ing predators concentrated on one specific spot on the spot that seemed influ‐ enced by wind. Some bait‐ fish seemed to stack on the down wind side of the reef for example in the calmer water where as the upwind side was completely dead of life. When the wind died, that specific spot dried up and the activity shifted. Shallow rock patterns also seemed to pick up as dark approached as these bait‐ fish moved up to spawn
Deep weeds correlating on sharp break lines are high percentage locations for bass and panfish in the fall. Photo submitted
after dark. Deep reefs that combine sharp break lines and a hard bottom are classic fall walleye locations on many natural lakes. Can’t talk fall fishing for walleye without mentioning current and bottleneck areas. River sys‐ tems also come back to life with fish movements that recharge some holes and
troughs where some of these fish will hold through the winter. Regardless of water and species, I have often felt that some of fall fishing’s best and most consistent bets are simply community spots. Community spots are typically really good locations that get ruined by the sheer number of boats.
In the fall when so many people quit fishing, these are some of the best loca‐ tions. No secrets, no need to outthink other anglers. You simply have to commit yourself and long after the crowds are gone, you can find some of the best fish‐ ing of the entire season for a variety of fish on a variety of water.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
5
The Perseid Meteor Showers BY MIRIAM PATTON
pieces of debris are called “mete‐ oroids”, and when they reach the n Saturday, Aug. 6, 1:00-3:00 pm. August is just about here, and that earth’s atmosphere, they are called Beach Fun Day, at Lost Island Lake. means it is time again for the Perseid “meteors”. If a piece makes it all the Join us for some fun on the beach: meteor showers. Each year during late way to Earth without burning up, it is building sand castles, sand art, summer, the Earth passes through a called a “meteorite”. Most of the parachute games, obstacle course, long trail left by Comet Swift‐Tuttle. meteors in this shower are as small as kayaking & canoeing. This comet is the largest object known a grain of sand, so they will not reach n Wednesday, Aug.10, 6:00 pm. Picnic at the Lake, south shelter at to pass by the earth repeatedly. The the earth. Lost Island-Huston Park. Bring your center is about 16 miles wide. The Perseid Meteor Shower gets that picnic supper for a leisurely evening According to NASA experts, this year name because the meteors seem to by the lake. We will roast marshmalshould be more spectacular than come from the constellation Perseus in lows over the fire and serve ice usual. the northeastern sky. Most meteors cream sundaes. Play ladder golf, What is a comet? Comets are like will be visible after midnight. bean bag toss, tic-tac-toe or a dusty snowballs, which orbit the sun. The full moon is on August 18, so you round of croquet. They consist of ice, made from water, will get the best view of the Perseids carbon dioxide, ammonia or methane, when the earth passes through the earlier in the month when the moon is and mixed with dust. These materials most dense and dusty area. not as bright. To see the most mete‐ We will be able to see up to 150 came from long ago when the Solar ors, find a place that is as dark as possi‐ meteors per hour, which is twice as System was formed. ble, and open to the horizon. Comets have an icy center surround‐ many as usual. This year’s shower is We are lucky to live where we can considered an “outburst”, because ed by a large cloud of gas and dust. get out on a country road, away from This tail is created as the ice in the cen‐ Jupiter’s gravity is causing the particles lights. It will take you about a half an to be more concentrated. ter is warmed by the sun and vapor‐ hour for your eyes to adjust to the Meteors are pieces of comet debris izes. dark. Take along a lawn chair or blan‐ burning up as they enter the Earth’s The earth is passing through Comet ket so you can lean back, without get‐ atmosphere. They are traveling up to Swift‐Tuttle from July 17 through ting a crook in your neck. The longer 37 miles per second. August 24, but the peak viewing of you wait, the more you will see. When they are out in space, the meteor showers will be August 12 PALO ALTO COUNTY NATURALIST
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ANNUAL PHEASANT SURVEY BEGINS AUG. 1 out in August. “Overall we should see another increase in pheasants and quail,” he said. If it happens, it would be the fourth year in a row for a pheasant increase. But the return of Iowa’s pheasants has not been mirrored by return of pheasant hunters. After dropping to an all time low of 41,000 in 2013, more than 56,000 hunters pursued pheasants in 2015, harvesting more than a quarter mil‐ lion roosters. “Hunters look at our pheasant har‐ vest estimate as a gauge of our popu‐ lation, but that is misleading because if hunters aren’t out there, the harvest will be down. Based on last year’s population estimate, a harvest of a half million roosters is possible. We are glad to see hunters returning, but we won’t reach our harvest potential until we have more hunters in the field,” Bogenschutz said.pheasant
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insects. The survey also records the number of quail, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits and partridge. “We’ve been hearing reports from the southern third of Iowa of more rooster crowing and male bobwhite calling this spring, which is a great sign for overwinter survival. Broods began showing up in mid May which suggests a good nesting season,” Bogenschutz said. “Our bobwhite population could be its highest in decades if we have a favorable nest‐ ing season.” While much of southern Iowa enjoyed a mild winter, the western third of Iowa had either higher snow‐ fall, and/or higher spring rain that may impact winter survival and nesting success. The region with the most favorable conditions was east of I‐35 and south of Hwy. 175. Other regions had mix of good news bad news for weather indicators that will be sorted
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DES MOINES — Iowa’s 15‐day annu‐ al pheasant population survey begins on Aug. 1, and wildlife experts say all indicators are pointing to a stable to increasing population of the popular game bird. Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said snowfall totals, spring rain and nesting temperature all have a roll in pheasant survival and nesting suc‐ cess. But while these indicators point to likely increases or decreases in the population; the best measure is the annual August roadside survey. The August roadside survey is con‐ ducted driving the same 218, 30 mile routes over Iowa gravel roads on mornings with heavy dew and light wind. These conditions allow the best opportunity to count broods when the hen moves them from the dew heavy grass to the gravel road to dry off before dining on a breakfast of
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
6
Wooley transitions into retirement INDIANOLA – Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever is honored to announce the retirement of Jim Wooley, a 31‐year veteran of “The Habitat Organization” and the current Director of Field Operations for Quail Forever. Wooley transitions into retirement on August 5th after serving an illustrious career in the state of Iowa, defined by a lifelong pur‐ suit for the betterment of wildlife and public lands throughout the state. “For more than three decades, Jim Wooley has provided selfless and dynam‐ ic leadership to make Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever the outstanding organ‐ ization it is today,” explained Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s president and CEO. “His influ‐ ence on wildlife habitat conservation spans throughout the Midwest thanks to innovative programs, research, and ideas that he has contributed to. The conserva‐ tion community owes a debt of gratitude for Jim’s 31 years of service, and we’re thrilled that it was spent with the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
family.” In 1985, Pheasants Forever hired Wooley as the organization’s first region‐ al biologist after working for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as the state upland game biologist. A well‐ known entity with the upper Midwest conservation community, he was respon‐ sible for starting more than 125 local chapters of Pheasants Forever in six states, has been the lead for many key partnership efforts in the state of Iowa, managed the organization’s very suc‐ cessful seed program, and has been a vital committee member of several southern Iowa chapters of Pheasants Forever – most notably, the Southern Prairie Chapter of Pheasants Forever in Lucas County. Wooley’s successful career in the natu‐ ral resources field is highlighted by many great partnerships, but perhaps none greater than Iowa Conservation Buffers Partnership from 1999‐2003. During this four‐year period, he garnered support from local Pheasants Forever chapters,
Iowa Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Iowa Natural Resource Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, and other partners to help implement 215,578 acres of Continuous CRP buffers in 85 percent of Iowa coun‐ ties. The Buffers Partnership used a model of part‐time technical employees to advocate for buffers through personal contact with interested landowners. This highly successful partnership changed the face of Iowa’s landscape and became the future model for Pheasants Forever’s popular private lands program ‐ the Farm Bill Biologist Partnership ‐ which now employs 119 biologists throughout the country who worked with 35,809 landowners in 2015 alone, leading to nearly 1.4 million acres of habitat improvement for wildlife. Wooley looks forward to spending quality time in retirement with his wife, Amy, and of course, more days in the woods, fields, and waters of Iowa enjoy‐
As Jim Wooley retires, he can look back on a career highlighted by the many partnerships he forged and his dedication to wildlife conservation. ing the great outdoors. Additionally, he will remain active with Pheasants Forever as a volunteer and the newly elected treasurer for the Warren County Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
7
STEWARDSHIP TIP: Three Tips to Conserve Water BY BEN LEAL
head uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute, an ultra low flow showerhead will use 1.5 or less. Recently Recycled Fish was invited to attend a Conserve water in your toilet: Install a dislocal angling club meeting and give a small pres- placement device, a tank dam, or an early-close entation. flapper valve. A displacement device is nothing We are a small non-profit organization that more than something to take up space in your inspires to educate and empower anglers, outtank. Fill a 32 ounce plastic soda bottle with doors men and women to be good stewards of gravel, cap it, and place it in the tank. Tank the resources we have available throughout dams, pieces of flexible plastic wedged into the North America. tank on either side of the flush valve, reduce the Water conservation is just but one aspect, but amount of water available per flush by holding a an ever important one. small amount out of use. An early-close flapper Certainly, weʼd all like to install Ultra Low Flow valve is a valve that will shut before all the water or waterless toilets to conserve water. Itʼd be in the tank can flow into the bowl. Early-close nice to redo our plumbing so that our gray water flappers often are adjustable, so that you can is recycled into our lawns. find a good balance between saving water and These can be expensive projects and while having the toilet bowl reliably cleared. theyʼd be nice, the fact is, you can conserve Conserve water your yard: Eliminate all water at little or no cost. Here are three simple runoff. Observe your sprinkler and make sure tips to help you conserve. that water does not get on the sidewalk, driveConserve water in your shower: Install a low way, or street. Even the smallest overlap will flow or ultra low flow showerhead. This is one of send gallons of fresh water into the sewer. the easiest ways to conserve water in the home. Sprinkler systems are great and provide worry Most non-conserving showerheads will use 5 to 8 free watering, just ensure that they are disables gallons of water per minute. A low flow showeror put in a rain mode when Mother Nature proRECYCLED FISH PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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vides us with adequate moisture. Why it is important to the Fish: By conserving the amount of water that we use, we reduce that amount of water that we discharge from our homes. Water from showers and toilets is discharged into the sanitary sewer. In some areas sanitary sewers are combined with sewers that channel natural runoff. A series of dams in the sewers prevent sanitary sewage from entering the watershed. During heavy rains, combined sewers can overflow their dams and discharge raw sewage directly into a stream or river. Needless to say, raw sewage in a stream can spell disaster for our fish. We all have a stake in the future of the resources we enjoy. Water, the quality of water and the amount directly affects each fishery that we enjoy throughout the year. Areas that are known for trophy fish are those that have deep clear water where natural reproduction can take place on an annual basis. Remember that we all are stewards and…our lifestyles run down stream. Tight Lines All!
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
8 BY BOB JENSEN
End of the summer fishing
It was a hot August day when this walleye took a liking to Mike Frischʼs Hornet. Photo by Bob Jensen
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can’t believe I’m thinking this already, but autumn is fast approaching. The month of August signals the end of summer and the beginning of school and football season. It also is a time when fishing can be a little tough if we don’t make some adjustments in the way we go about our fishing. And, if we make those adjustments, fishing can be very good. Following are some fish‐ ing adjustments to consider for the next few weeks. Right now is a time of plenty for predator fish. There is lots of food in the water. The baitfish that were born this spring are now at a size where they can be eaten by the bigger fish. In many bodies of water, the gamefish don't have to look very hard for a meal: All they need to do is open their mouth and swim and they get a mouthful of minnows. When there is a lot of food in the water, often it works well to abandon the “Match the Hatch” the‐ ory. “Match the Hatch” suggests that we use a bait that looks like the dominant baitfish. Let's say you're fishing for walleyes on a lake that has lots of perch, and many of those perch are in the three to four inch range, perfect walleye food. The walleyes see perch every day. I don't know if walleyes get tired of eating perch, but I've seen lots of times when a bait that looked nothing like a perch out‐ produced a bait that looked like a perch on a lake that had a strong perch population. Give it a try. And if that doesn't work, try a bait that does look like a perch, or go larger or smaller, or faster or slower. If what you’re doing isn’t work‐ ing, try something else. That’s a pretty good rule for life. If you want to catch largemouth bass, move through an area faster than you would in the spring or early summer. Fish are willing to take a fast moving bait when the water is warm. Also, by moving your bait faster, you're covering more water and showing your bait to more fish. Try working a weedline with a crankbait, something like a #6.5 Salmo Hornet. Move them fast. When you catch a couple of fish close together, and you often will, slow down and work that area thor‐ oughly. Throw a jig rigged with Impulse plastic or live bait. After you've worked the area over good, pick up the crankbait and start moving quickly again. You’ll catch largemouth, but you’ll also get walleyes and northern pike. By the end of your fishing trip, you'll often have caught a good number of fish and cov‐ ered quite a bit of water with this faster approach. Fishing in August can be challenging, but it can also be productive and rewarding. Wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, drink plenty of water while you're out there, keep changing baits, move quick‐ ly until you find the fish, and you'll increase your chances for fishing success. I'm not going to stay off the water in August, and you shouldn't either. The weather can be hot, and the fishing can be hotter.