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FISHERMAN'S CALENDAR
KEY TO SYMBOLS
SO=season opened (or opens); SC= season closed (or closes); SV=season varies by district or water.
C=clear water; D=water dirty or roily; M=water muddy.
N=water at normal height; SH=slightly high; H=high; VH=very high; L=low; R=rising; F=falling.
WT50=water temperature 50°.
FG=fishing good; FF=fishing fair; FP=fishing poor. OG=outlook good; OP=outlook poor.
MUSKELLUNGE: NEW YORK: Our St. Lawrence spy says broadbills and black ducks are abundant and musky fishermen trolling within gunshot of river blinds risk skinsful of 6's as irate gunners complain boats keep ducks from decoying.
MICHIGAN: Lake St. Clair muskies willing to hit fast-trolled spoon but not able as anglers turn to hunting; one 25-pounder reported last week.
WISCONSIN: After dip to low twenties last week weather is fair and OF through next week in northern Wisconsin waters (but he-men who braved cold spell said fishing was best of year despite discomfort); very slow action in Eagle River and Rhinelander areas, but scattered fish taking imitation-sucker plugs, mostly at dusk.
MACKEREL: FLORIDA: Miami bridge fishermen are getting good action in Bear Cut and other Rickenbacker Causeway spots. Palm Beach piers getting big play as 2-to 4-pounders smack jig-and-strip lures, with an occasional small kingfish joining the fun.
WALLEYED PIKE: PENNSYLVANIA: French Creek at Cambridge Springs SH, F, C, OG as night fishermen score with minnows.
MINNESOTA: FG at Pelican Lake near Brainerd, also at Leech Lake (south and southeast shores) and Lake Winnibigoshish (all over). Lower shores of Lake of the Woods producing fine walleyes in 4-to 6-pound class, and OG.
ONTARIO: F. J. Tram of Toronto hoisted 11-pound 5-ounce walleye from Madawaska River near Bancroft last week; Sturgeon Falls area of Lake Nipissing reports FG with minnows most productive.
BLACK BASS: MISSOURI: Upper Gasconade River producing fastest fishing in years following rains, and OG next week—also in Current River (but nights are too cool for long float trips).
MINNESOTA: Alexandria area lakes Miltona, Chippewa, Ida, Carlos and Mary caught fire last week and should still be sizzling by the time you get there (or try Osakis Lake just east of Alexandria).
TENNESSEE: Sudden cold spell killed Center Hill shad-minnows, reducing top-water action; OP in most state waters.
OREGON: Willamette River H, D, FP, OP unless no more rain.
PENNSYLVANIA: OG throughout most bass waters of state as Hazel-high streams return to normal but with algae and even fallen leaves washed away and fish in fine fettle.
SNOOK: FLORIDA: OG in Shark River and Ten Thousand Islands areas, with most fish in 3-pound class but some to 12.
TROUT: COLORADO: Gunnison River (Gunnison area) L, C, FF with eggs and worms, dry flies at midday, OF if weather holds; Tomichi, East and Cebolla streams VL, FG with flies, FF with bait; Granby Reservoir (Granby area) good for trolling, OG unless weather worsens; South Platte River (Shawnee area) L, C, FP, OP.
IDAHO: Salmon River and tribs slacking off but Snake still good in Ashton area for flies and bait; late afternoon fishing is best. Lost River watershed still producing but high-country lakes on last legs.
CALIFORNIA: Try Topaz Lake (part in Calif., part in Nev.) for mixed bag of big rainbows and Canada geese (a big flock was there last Sunday); trout SC Oct. 31 and best bets for last weekend are Upper Owens, Hot Creek, Upper Truckee—in northern area, Feather and American rivers, Donner and Webber lakes.
BRITISH COLUMBIA: Some fine creels reported from Campbell, Mohun, Shawnigan and other Vancouver Island lakes; most rivers H but F; FF most island and mainland streams but excellent on Fraser River bars.
BLUEFISH: MASSACHUSETTS: Blues thinning out around Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard as schools move south.
FLORIDA: After periodic rampages off Miami Beach, blues are invading Biscayne Bay; best sports are in southern part. Most east coast areas report in-and-out action with occasional red-hot flurries as choppers chase bait onto beaches.
STRIPED BASS: OREGON: Coos Bay agent reports FG in isthmus slough, best bait pilchard; shore casters taking fish but boats doing better despite rough water; OG for bait-fishing but fly-casters calling it quits.
RHODE ISLAND: In three hours three men in boat off Charlestown beachway between Westerly and Kingston boated bass weighing 58, 54, 52, 45, 45, 40 and 30 pounds last week. (You should have been here.)
CALIFORNIA: Winds slowed fishing last week as migration into delta nears peak, with most fish in 10-pound class (but Bethel Harbor reports lunkers to 39 pounds). OG for easy limits until mid-November cold weather, with trollers picking up a few bonus chinooks.
BONEFISH: FLORIDA: Clearing weather should bring bonefish and bone fishermen back to Keys flats; OF for fly-flingers and spinfishers.
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