Fall Fishing Favorites

My arms and legs tingled with anticipation as I walked the short trail down the river. It was a beautiful fall morning and the river section I had selected only had a couple of anglers in sight. The two anglers were poached on a couple of boulders on the far side of the river just below the dam. They were throwing heavily weighted sinkers with a bait of some sort into the heavy water from the spillway. My plan was to fish a run in the river downstream from them. The first few casts into the river were more exploratory than anything else. I was just working out the kinks from the last time I had fished. After a several casts and moving down stream a bit, I came across a section with an undercut bank that just looked really enticing to me. I was fishing with a floating jointed Rapala in the Rainbow Trout color. I cast the lure out into the stream and let it swim down the run. Nothing out in the deeper part of the run, but, my plan was too swim it up near the undercut bank on the retrieve. I watched closely as my lure rode along just sub-surface and reeled slowly as to keep the lure near the undercut bank as long as I possibly could. Suddenly, I felt the hit of a good trout. My plan had worked! After a tussle with the trout on the end of my line, I brought near shore at my feet where I could see it. It was a beautiful fall Brown Trout!

I brought it ashore and quickly as I could took my camera out and shot a quick picture of this Brown and then quickly released him to swim back to his undercut bank for another day and another time.

The fall fishing season is my favorite time of year. I love fishing for Brown Trout in the fall, and, as we know some big Brown Trout can be caught in the fall of the year as they prepare for the colder winter months to come. They are spawning and can be aggressive to protect their area. I do not fish directly over spawning beds, so let me make that clear. I do look for big Brown Trout, though!

In addition, the fall season is Elk hunting season. Nothing is more beautiful than to be outdoors in the fall of the year in the crisp air enjoying the beautiful color changes in our landscape and listening to a bugling elk off in the distance somewhere. I am not a hunter, as most of you know by know, however a bugling elk is one of the most beautiful sounds of the outdoors. Thought I would share a photo from my archives of a little ol' Elk who came to visit one day while fishing.

Now that is what I call a double dip for the fall season.

Elk Fun

A friend of mine sent along this video to me for enjoyment. I thought it was fun to watch and thought I would share with my blogging friends. Hopefully, you will find it enjoyable!

Fishing With Spammers!

Just a quick note here to let everyone know who stops by and who regularly reads my blog that "Spammers" have been busy swarming in and around my blog over the last few days. It has taken some effort to get all the junk out and secure the blog, but, I think I have it back to order.

One effect that it will have on those who leave comments on my posts is that I will be approving your comment before it gets posted. I had held out on doing this type of thing for some time, as approving comments mean they are posted sometime later than "Live". I always liked the instantaneous ability to comment back and forth with those left comments. But, alas, I have changed the way the commenting will be updated, so that my posts are not inundated with everyone who wants to get "free" advertising by making annoying comments and mis-guided efforts at plugging their marketing product. Hope all my readers will continue to post and I will get your comments up as soon as they have passed through my quality assurance for my blog.

Ben's Giving It Away!

Just wanted to direct all my readers over to my Blog Buddy Ben G's blog and encourage their participation in his giveaway of some outdoor goodies. Let's support my fellow blogger!

Ben G. Outdoors is proud to announce our Fall 2009 Reader Appreciation Giveaway.

Ben G. Outdoors a blog devoted to hunting, fishing and outdoor adventure. Will be having a reader Appreciation Giveaway. The contest will run from Monday October the 19^th through Friday October the 31^st at 5:00pm. Winners will be posted on the site Monday November 2^nd.

The list of Prizes includes Boots, Apparel, & DVD’s.

Please stop by Ben G. Outdoors for more details and your chance to win one of the fabulous prizes.

Ben G. Outdoors Fall 2009 Giveaway is brought to you in Part by Hank’s Clothing, Warrior Outdoors, & Magnet Gun Caddy.

Idaho Has 'Eyes!

Yes, indeed, Idaho has Walleye fishing. Now one doesn't normally think of Idaho and excellent Walleye fishing in the same thought. Idaho is a cold water mecca, right? Lots of Trout water, Steelhead runs, and Salmon migrations, right? Yes, all of the above statements are true. But, hold on there all you would be adventure seekers in Idaho and beyond. Idaho has some very good warm water fishing also. Bass are becoming more and more popular targets in waters throughout parts of Idaho. There are lifetime trout anglers who are finding great fun and success chasing Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass around in their lakes and streams. We all know what a kick in the pants it is to be on a pond or lake catching a bucket full of Bluegill and Perch. Ahh..... those are the times!

Another fish gaining popularity in Idaho waters, in a few selected places, is the Walleye. The folks who fish Walleye successfully (by the way, that is not me yet!) are an avid group of intense anglers who cherish finding and fishing for Walleye with their favorite jig or other lure or bait. That brings me to what this whole post is leading too.

Let me introduce you to Mike Chupa and his new Idaho State Record Walleye taken just a couple of days ago from a Southern Idaho Reservoir.

That is (17) pounds and (12) more ounces of Walleye. What a great fish. I have to ask you, Mike, is that really your fish or did she catch it and your just getting all the camera time? Just funnin' with ya'. Just to show you that Mike knows what he is doing look at this photo of the Idaho State Record Walleye and another great Walleye that he caught on the same trip. Now them are some 'Eyes.

Yes, my blogging friends, Idaho has 'Eyes!

Blogging & Product Reviews

I don't very often use a post just to link to another online site in order for my readers to get information that is of importance to the blogging world, but, in this case I would like to offer this link for all of my fellow bloggers to check out since it may have an impact on your individual blogging perspectives as far as posting product reviews go for the future. (The soon future!)

Any comments or thoughts are appreciated at Idaho Fishing Notebook.

Taking The "Old Guy" Oath

Well another year has come and gone. On Tuesday, I turned (60) years old and my family had me take an "Old Guy" Oath before we had treats and presents. It goes something like this:

"Raise your right hand and repeat the following. I, Mel Moore, being of questionable mind and aging body, do solemnly declare my self an Old Guy. Therefore, I am permitted to

#1. Scratch my butt in public

2. Drive forever with my left blinker on

3. Pass gas while standing in line at Wal-Mart

4. Jabber incoherently on my blog

5. Snore like a chainsaw

6. Fall asleep with absolutely no warning

You gotta' love it. It started me to thinking about where I am going with this "age" and "sound mind" scenario. I looked around and came across this video that pretty well sums it up I think. Hope you enjoy it and I hope I can remember to go fishing.

Fishing Meadow Lake

At least a couple of times a year, I like to head to the high country and try my luck at fishing for trout from the high mountain lakes in my area. One of my favorites is Meadow Lake. This beautiful mountain lake sits at the base of a rock wall high up above just about everything else in the area. Located high in the timber above the old ghost town of Gilmore, Meadow Lake has been a favorite of mine and also of my parents long before me. My dad always said that if he could only fish one place in Idaho, his choice would be Meadow Lake. Not that it has incredible fishing, though it does feature some fun fishing for high mountain Rainbows, but more that it sets in such a spectacular setting. Truly, one of the more beautiful places I have ever laid eyes on.

This picture is taken from the shoreline at Meadow Lake. Notice the rock wall that sits to the rear of this photo. If you look closely at the rock wall that white stuff you see is "snow". Higher up the rock wall is a lot more snow. This photo was taken in late July. Meadow Lake, I believe, may have the coldest water I have ever fished in. Float tubing it is something that you will never forget! You had better use some warm thermals underneath your neoprene waders if you want to stay warm. I found that out on one of my first trips to Meadow Lake years ago. I would also caution those who go out on to the lake in small boats. Please use your life preservers as this cold water will take it's toll on anyone accidentally dumped into the lake without proper wear.

A twelve inch Rainbow is a good fish here. There are some bigger, but, for the most part the Rainbow's are of the foot long variety. The shorter growing season in the high lakes limit food supply and growth. I like to fish here with Spoons or Spinners. Most of my fishing here is done from several spots along the wooded shoreline. Spoons help me cover more of the water, and, deeper parts of the lake.
I like to use Little Cleo's, or, Thomas Buoyant spoons with some Silver or Gold coloring. Here are a few I use.

These are a couple of my favorite Little Cleo's.

Thomas Buoyant Spoons I have had success with.

Here is a shot of one of the popular spots to fish from. Look closely and you will see your truly enjoying a day at Meadow Lake.

Actually, this is a pretty poor photo. You can hardly see a few of us fishing from the rock pile as we call it. Need a telephoto lens from where this was taken. By the way, Meadow Lake has a nice campground and picnic area close to shore and is usually quite popular during the dog days of late summer. The road up to the lake can be driven in regular two wheel drive, but, is a narrow mountain dirt road in spots so be careful. As a reminder, this is the land of awesome beauty. Please don't litter and ruin the experience for others!