By the time Labor Day arrives, many fishermen are hanging up their rods. As the leaves start to change and the water begins to cool, we need to recognize the dinner bell is being rung once again.
Fish feed heavy only a few times a year. If I were to advise a client of mine as to when the best opportunity was to catch large numbers of fish, I would certainly say in the early to mid fall. I wrote last year around this time that I was kind of new to fall fishing myself. Being an avid hunter, I tend to be in the woods or on the water hunting more often than fishing this time of year. Boy was I missing out! What I found after a goose hunt turned fishing trip, will now have me on the water more often after Labor Day.
It's no surprise that land animals feed heavily in preparation for the harsh winter months to come. We see them scurrying around and filling their faces at a feverish pitch. Their attempt to pack on the pounds is imperative to their survival. This is no different for fish being that we can't see what's going on under water all the time. It's hard to visualize what fish are doing, and I can assure you they are doing the same as land animals. Fish, like deer, will begin to regroup as the temperature starts to plummet. Some may see this as a strength-in-numbers situation. In reality, it's food causing the animals to group up more than their need to associate. When deer find a good source of food, they will congregate in the area. Fish do the same thing, only when the supply dwindles they move on. Both species tolerate the presence of others rather than seek out companionship.
To locate where deer are feeding is easy, less time consuming, and cheaper in comparison to finding fish. An apple orchard, corn, bean or green field is the obvious place to look for deer. It's easy to see their food source is stationary, while the fish food is typically on the move. You can purchase sonar units and use them to locate the fish, or do it the old fashioned way. When I use sonar, I'm looking for groups of fish. If you don't have a fish finder, it’s all about covering water and finding where the heaviest bite is. This will indicate where the fish are gathered. When you locate a heavily populated area, it's a good idea to see what they are eating.
In order to increase your catch, it's a good idea to find out what the fish are feeding on. This can be done two ways. The clean way is to get a stomach pump and aspirate the contents. This is done when you are catch-and-release fishing because it doesn't harm the fish. If you are keeping them, you can do it the messy way. Dispatch the fish by quickly severing the spine, then cut open the belly and expose the stomach. Empty the contents and examine what the fish were eating the most. Try your best to match your bait to their food source. You will find that after fishing for some time, what you caught the fish with may look nothing like what they are eating. Fish are opportunists and may eat a bait mixed in with their preferred forage. When you finally catch one and match what they are eating, you are likely to increase your catch rate dramatically.
This past Monday was a little easier. I was fishing up at the Crosby camp with Dana and family. I wasn't getting bit much and knew something was up. I spotted small minnows jumping out of the water next to the lily pads, and it was obvious that they were avoiding being eaten. I approached slowly and saw they were light colored and about two inches in length. I was using black and white Crappie jigs, which were not working. I pulled out a white jig that looked a lot like the fleeing minnows, and the change was immediate. I was pulling in fish left and right, and filled my two stringers in no time.
My intention was to catch enough fish for a family fish fry. By using the information provided, I was able to conquer the challenge. After seeing the bait, I didn't have to get my hands dirty checking the stomach contents. I hammered the pan fish, and headed back to camp before dark for a picture with the day's catch.
Thank you to the Crosby family for inviting me up to camp this summer. I had a great time fishing and enjoyed teaching the kids to knapp flint. The leaves are beginning to change and so are the feeding habits of all creatures. Take advantage of this switch in their feeding pattern and don't put the poles away yet.
Good wishes and focus on fish after Labor Day.

Trappers Convention next week
SOLON – The Cortland County Trappers Association is holding its annual Fall Rendezvous Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Solon Sportsmen's Club, in Solon beginning at 10 a.m. There will be vendors, trapping, fur handling demos, raffles, auctions, games, and food. Solon is located on New York route 41 east of McGraw. Follow the signs to the Sportsmen's Club.