scof21_

Slow-moving foam lines will often indicate the water type you’ll want
on during fall months. As we say, “foam is home,” and these foam line
drag your favorite top water seducer through. Got foam that is thick a
eddy? Even better. You may have to vary the
speed and aggressiveness of your presentation
when fishing topwater flies in the fall. If you are
fishing your popper aggressively and the fish are
not responding, try slowing down. Present the
fly with a more natural, realistically behavior instead
of just trying to piss them off. Make a cast,
let the fly smack the water and let the rings dissipate.
Pop it again and wait 10 seconds. Pop
it again and skate it across the surface a couple
feet creating a wake behind the fly. Then pick it
up and do the same thing in the next best spot.
If you do this every 15 feet on a five-mile section
of river, that’s about 2700 casts and 5500-
ish pops or wiggles. It’s hard work, especially if
you are throwing big flies with a 7wt. or 8wt. rod.
This type of fishing is not easy and being able to
double haul cast will help your arm last the day
and allow you to tuck your fly into the nooks and
crannies.
From the first major temperature drop of the fall
until winter temperatures flatten out, the fall cooling
trend is in effect. A sequence of cold snaps
followed by warming periods will round out the
fall. You won’t find a smallmouth holding in highly oxygenated water o
a sudden cold snap. You may find one there in the afternoon if that pa
facing and in the sun. You may also find smallmouth warming themse
that have been basking in the southern sun.
162
S.C.O.F MAGAZINE