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Show ! t Brown The SunNews. Wednesday. Oct. 9. 1991 9 the best time of all for fishing in Utah's streams Fall is often Fall is an incredible lime to enjoy nature - hiking through the autumn leaves, wildlife viewing or photography, hunting, harvesting -- wild nuts and berries. It is also one of the best times to go fishing. Fishing generally improves during the fall for many species of fish which gather in schools and become more active as they move from the depths to the cooling surface waters. Fall fishing can be different than summer fishing. Some fish school and stage over certain types of structures. This is true of warm water fish such as walleye, bass or bluegill. Other fish follow temperature zones; others follow the forage fish. Knowledge of the lake, its bottom and its water patterns helps anglers find the fish. The major game species in the state trout, black bass, walleye and kokanee salmon, will all key in on water temperature and bottom structure. All these fish are predators, so they concentrate where there is ample forage. Savvy anglers gather here too. During the fall, bass and walleye seek out bottom formations, usually a rocky point fairly close to - c 5 1' an area with forage fish. The angler needs not only to find the point butalsolhedepthofthefish. Trout usually follow water temperatures. In summer when the surface water is hot, they go deep. In the spring and fall, when surface waters are cool, they move into shallow waters. One way to locate areas likely to have schools of fish is with a topographic map. Another way is to locate schools and read bottom formations with a fish finder. Look for areas with bottom structures, rocky points, drop off banks, trees or even masses of vegetation. For kokanee, look for stream channels. Kokanee gather in schools and search for cooler water in the fall. The schools are usually located near the streams in which they spawn. These are called staging areas and the fish concentrate just off shore while they undergo physiological changes. Before beginning the spawning run, both sexes turn red and the male develops a hooked jaw and humped back. Try imitating the natural forage found in the lake. Try various colors and sizes of jigs, crankbaits and other lures that closely imitate the prey. Baits, such as night crawl throughout southern Utah will open November 8,aboulone month later than usual this year, according to the DWR. The late opener applies to Sevier, Sanpete, Beaver, Carbon, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Uintah, Washington and Wayne counties, and Tooele County south of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dictates the earliest opening dale, the latest closing date, and the maximum number of days (50) that ducks may be h unted each year. This year the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) re ceived approval to split the state into northern and southern zones for duck hunting. The northern zone, consisting of 11 counties, opened last Saturday, October 5. The southern Zone will take advantage of the latest possible season closure (January 5) thereby pushing back the opener to November 8. The split season will maximize hunter opportunity statewide. Beginning this year the conversteel shot for sion to is nationwide. waterfowl hunting It is now unlawful for a hunter to d shot- have any form of non-tox- ic lead-loade- ers and dead minnow also work well this time of year. Another strategy is to try attractors, lures with colors that dont imitate the prey but can be seen from greater distances. This works especially well in murky waters or on cloudy overcast days when the light is dull. In late fall, when waters are cold, it is generally best to present a slow, sluggish lure. This can be done by slow troll or drifting over the structure and casting. Give it action but not so fast the fish has to work for it. If you are jigging, be aware of light bumps when the lure is on the way down. These are hard to feel, but if you do, set the hook immediately because it could be a fish. When fishing during the fall, be but harvest According to DWR will be great, especially careful of weather and water conditions. Winds may flare up at any time usually without much warning. They can make the lake rough and create windchill factors equivalent to temperatures well below zero. Go prepared for any kind of weather and know the symptoms and treatments for hypothermia. Fall is an excellent time to fish, but extra precautions are needed to do it safely. ,G OF ALL: DWR officials say time of year for fishing in Utahs ;jecially good right now are the ,ih's natural wonders while you MAY BE fib.1: that Fall con L" streams are Brown lion1 fish during a C J f all season. Following units shells in his possession while hunting any species of waterfowl anywhere, or while hunting any game within a waterfowl management area. Daily bag and possession limits are essentially unchanged from last year, but hunters should consult the 1991 proclamation now available wherever hunting licenses are sold. The general statewide goose and swan seasons remain unchanged. Goose and swan hunting began October 5 and will continue until January 5, 1992. open officials As the air outside becomes crisp and the daylight hours draw shorter, many Utahns hear the call of the annual big game hunts echo in the fall air. For the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, this time of year represents a period when we quicken our pace in almost every aspect of our wildlife responsibility. Ours is the responsibility to monitor both , hunters and the hunted and provide data for future hunts and wildlife management. Many will have the opportunity to chat with one of our conservation officers in the field. Be sure that you have read and are familiar with the 1991 big game proclamation so that you can greet them with a smile of confidence when you see them. Over the past few years the Utah Deer herd has been on the decline due primarily to the droughtcondi-tion- s that have gripped the state. The hunting forecast this year reflects this problem. Herd numbers are down as fawn production and survival has suffered for the past five years. Consequently, the annual harvest will be down as well in most areas. This should not detract from the overall outdoor experience that is sought by most Utah hunters but it will decrease the number who harvest a deer. Now for the good news. Every November and December the DWR does its annual deer counts. Part of the data that is gathered from this count is the percentage of does that are supporting fawns. The past few years have seen numbers as low as while good years will proWe have had duce as high as more water this year and as a result fawn production seems to be up again. Actual counts wont be available until late December, but it appears that we may have bottomed out and after this year you should see greater hunter success as deer numbers increase. The deer hunt in Utah is a tradition that has survived many generations and will continue for many more. Be sure that you understand the rules and exercise safe practices at all times when handling 40, for muzzleloader hunts only The l.aSal Do ing unit will be i general season it year this unit N, entry area dunnp general season and muzzleloader hnnii season only. General season deer hunters may hunt both Book cliff units during 9 season, but only the October holders may hunt special permit muzzleloader the eitherunitduring Ml 11 19-2- ALso in 1991 the Book Cliffs deer entry areas dunn" CO UI'.J hunt. For more information check the 1991 Utah Big Game proclamation or call any DWR office. in lb Turn those unwanted items into Cash!! the SunNews W be down Ip A Call Hunting should I. make Utah's fall fishing fops Late duck season opener for southern Utah this year Theduck.cootand snipe season U ot- Classifieds 529-783- An elephant's trunk 40,000 muscles. 9- 528-311- 1 J At A has about Have Yo Ths Good w 0P ? ft Li lied f In Life iU Could Get: etter? L.T3 95. firearms so that you can enjoy our hunting heritage for years to come. New Subscription Rates In County $15 per year In Utah, but out of County $18 per year Out of State $21 per year Security & Enforcement Officers Wanted! Security and Enforcement Officers are wanted at the Central Utah Correctional Facility. Salary: $6.38 to $7.92 plus excellent benefits. Must e have a high school diploma, three years of paid employment andoreducation.plusthe ability to be certified as a Peace Officer. Prior related experience no longer necessary. We will train. Applicants will undergo an extensive testing and background investigation process. Submit State of Utah Application (DHRM-7- ) to CUCF, Human Resources, 6100 South 300 East, Gunnison UT 84634. For further information contact Kathy Robertson, 528-615- 6 full-tim- h See 1 ! -- 1000 South Main B f fV "i 1 t - ! 1 nL Mi j Trucks 'corn Fot? "Home Of Red Carpet Service" or 8 Richfield 96-8A3- ); 6 Pli. pooljcopy wmmmmAmA W |