Magical October Days
During the recent long, hot summer, most of my crappie fishing was at night under lights so I could escape the heat of the day. I had some successful hot and sweaty trips. The crappie were delicious as always. I am tired of the heat and humidity, though. I am ready for October.
The crappie fishing experts will tell you that October is a great time to catch a lot of crappie and bigger crappie. As the water begins to cool, they get active and aggressive. There are many great stories in this issue on how and where to go to catch October crappie.
When you are out on the water enjoying crappie fishing in October, take some time to enjoy the cooler weather. Also, take time to enjoy the beautiful fall colors of the trees that surround your favorite crappie lake. Their colors reflect in the lake water, giving you a double dose of color.
Also, during October, the wildlife get active and start moving around more. You will often see deer, turkey, and other wildlife at the water’s edge. They, too, are enjoying the cooler weather. Some hunters dress in camouflage and take their bow with them. They hunt early and then fish, unless they need to check a deer.
On my home waters in Missouri, we are blessed, in October, with common loons on our lakes that are migrating through. This iconic bird of the North Woods of Canada, Alaska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, the upper Great Lakes, and northern New England is a special treat for us, Missouri fishermen. Their calls and long, bending wails echo across our lakes, just as they do northern lakes.
To some Native American tribes, they symbolize harmony, generosity, and peace. In other tribes, loons are believed to be divine messengers. I enjoy hearing them and watching them.
Loons have their legs positioned far back on their bodies, which helps them swim well underwater, but makes it difficult for them to walk on land. It forces them to flap and scamper a long way across the water’s surface to take flight. I love to watch them do that.
October is also a great time to camp and crappie fish. It reminds me of my Canadian fishing trips. Cleaning our fish at the edge of the water. A sizzling skillet over a campfire with baked beans and fried potatoes. Campfire smoke drifts through the air. The sound of the loons.
When night settles in, you add a log to the fire and sit back and marvel at the star-filled night sky. It is better than a television or computer screen. Owls hoot, a coyote howls, and a campfire pops and crackles. You are at peace with the world.
Enjoy the great crappie fishing, but take some time to look around. If you limit out early and aren’t camping, don’t get in a hurry to leave. Enjoy those magical October days.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“My beloved October has returned—with its brilliant colors, cool temperatures and sunny, cloudless, azure skies, and I must enjoy it before it escapes for another year.” ~ Peggy Toney Horton, Author
