Submitted Photo Dave Crouse with a nice walleye caught bottom bouncing near Buffalo a few weeks ago.

Fall season is upon us and the weather pattern will likely continue to get cooler. A number of us have noticed that getting a chance at late-season yellow perch has been tough with lots of strong wind and unusual precipitation patterns.

Rick Miller in Irving and Lee Weber in Derby commented that the creek-run fishing can be erratic with low water levels or ultra clear and warm-water conditions. One option for the trout fisherman that has remained stable is fishing the mouths of our local creels usually at low light. Department of Environmental Conservation Lake Erie unit leader Jason Robinson recently commented that there have been positive reports of anglers catching some nice-sized trout while casting spoons at the mouth of Chautauqua Creek.

Trout are in the creek, but the gin-clear water is so low the fish spook easily. Anglers walk out to the mouth with waders pre-dawn or as late as 4 p.m. and can usually find something willing to give your offering a ride. Cleo, kast master, Swedish pimples, Johnson sprites all can be productive casting spoons. You want to use something with a little weight to help you achieve maximum distance without maximum effort. Those shiny trolling spoons won’t travel far without adding weight, which tends to affect lure action.

Use a croslock barrel swivel to eliminate line twist and make lure changing easier.

Bring along a landing net if you plan on practicing catch and keep. Bring along a couple zip-lock plastic bags, too. If you get a trout laden with loose eggs, you can keep them in the bags. If you forget a bag, you can snap off a smaller size tree branch where there is an offshoot from the main branch. Insert the V shaped piece of wood into the vent , which will help prevent the eggs from running out.

A great egg cure is Epsom salt and boric acid. Mix a couple tablespoons full of the Epsom salts with a teaspoon of boric acid powder in a solution of warm water. Stir well. You may want to use a glass jar for a container to crush the boric acid against to help it go into solution. Let the solution cool down. Rinse the loose eggs in cold water and strain in a tupperware strainer so the salt mix will not react with the metal. Add the eggs to a bowl and cover with your Boric acid/salt solution, cover and place in the fridge or a cool, dry place for about a day. Drain off the liquid. The eggs will bounce, but will milk when punctured. Store eggs in an airtight jar. They will be durable if kept cold.

There have been reports of anglers doing good numbers of yellow perch off Catt Creek in about 65 feet and in the evening, but the trick is to find good concentrations of fish before anchoring or setting up. There has not been much offshore fishing recently because of all the wind. The last reports on walleye activity indicated fishing in 60 to 75 feet of water, and many of the fish are hugging the bottom.

With deer season right around the corner it would be a good idea to check out your equipment, trail cameras, clothing, boots and off-road vehicles etc. While you are at it, consider locating your ice fishing gear and getting that accessible and ready, just in case.

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CALENDAR: There will be a meeting of the Eastern Lake Erie Charter boat Association on Wednesday at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club starting at 7 p.m. It is open to the public.

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Monday night fly-tying classes have resumed at the NCCC. The classes are always free, including the tools and materials. Classes start at 6:30 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Parents or guardians are also encouraged to join in. There is lots of individual attention and you get to keep your creations at the end of the night. Nothing to join, no dues and a flexible time frame. Check it out. Note the Con Club is offering a deer hunting contest for members.

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Upcoming Gun Shows by Larry Spicer will be held Oct. 9-10 at Conneaut Lake Sportsmen Association, located at 11861 Sportmans Road (off Route 18), Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, 16316, Show hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission is $5 per adult. Children under 12 are free with an adult. Show tables, limited to 53, eight-foot tables, are $35 per table for two days. For more information, call 716-792-9972 or Lrgunshows@gmail.com or check out LrsportingEvents.com.

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A gun show at Ashtabula County Fair Grounds, located at Ashtabula County Expo Center Building, 127 North Elm St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047, will be held Oct. 23-24. Same show hours and admission/set up information.

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A gun show at Hermitage, Pennsylvania (at the Hickory Post VFW 5550, East State Street will be held Nov. 20-21. Same show hours, admission and set up prices and contact.

If your club is conducting an outdoor-related show or hunter safety course or a turkey shoot, call 366-1772 or 785-3659 or 366-3000 ext. 1 after 6 p.m.