OUTDOOR CORNER: STREAMS PROVIDE A COOL PLACE TO FISH

Most anglers don't regard the dog days of August as prime fishing time. Day after day of bright sunshine, sky-high temperatures and smothering humidity reduce the enthusiasm of fish and fishers, alike.

In fact, serious anglers often resort to late evening and night fishing when fish are often most active. What many do not realize, however, is that good fishing awaits in many Southeast Missouri streams.

I can't think of a better place to spend a hot summer afternoon than by wading the cool, shaded waters of one our local streams. You will usually be fishing alone and often catch more than a few fish!

In general, stream fish react to the hot summer weather by spending much of the daylight hours very near cover and shade. Stream side vegetation, downed trees and root wads, and large rocks located in the deeper water of pools are all excellent places to cast a bait, especially if located in a shaded area. Larger bass, rock bass (goggle eye) and catfish will generally be very close to cover during the day. However, during low light periods such as cloudy days, early morning or late evening, these fish will move from their favorite hides and prowl throughout the pool and adjacent riffles in search of food.

One tip is to target areas of deeper moving water during the day or low light periods. Runs and deep riffles are cooler and contain higher oxygen levels. Add the abundance of insects, minnows and crayfish that live in these areas and you can expect to find some of the larger fish holding near breaks in the current. The exception to this pattern can be the sunfish, bluegill and longear, in particular. These fish spawn throughout the summer and can often be found in spawning colonies along the shallow shorelines of pools.

Most small streams can be comfortably waded while wearing an old pair of tennis shoes, a pair of cutoffs and a ball cap. I strongly recommend a pair of polarized sunglasses for sunny days. These allow you to see underwater, locating the deeper water and cover and often even the fish.

Expensive fishing gear is not necessary when stream fishing. An ultra light or medium-action rod with a reliable spincast or spinning reel rigged with 4-8 pound line works very well. I prefer spinning rods for small lures, especially jigs, and a heavier baitcast rig for fishing larger bass lures. Include a stringer if you anticipate keeping any fish, a ruler for measuring bass (12 inch length limit applies to stream bass in the local area), a small assortment of lures or bait, and a water bottle and you are set for the trip.

Lure selection is not as critical as it might be on an impoundment. Stream fish always seem to be willing to strike a small lure, sometimes going to great lengths to do so. Small plastic jigs, top water plugs, crank baits and plastic worms will catch nearly every stream fish that swims. For those targeting bass, larger spinner and buzz baits, plastic worms and jerk baits can't be beat.

When fishing specifically for bass, I carry two rods one rigged with a buzz bait and one with a plastic jerk bait. Aggressive fish will generally inhale the buzz bait while the less active often take the plastic bait. Those preferring to use live bait can't go wrong. Live crayfish, worms, crickets, grass hoppers and minnows all work very well. The bonus in using live bait can be a very diverse catch as well.

Fishing with live crayfish could yield a stringer of bass, rock bass, catfish and drum all from the same pool! Crayfish and minnows can usually be collected in large numbers from the stream prior to fishing and kept in a minnow bucket you carry.

The two tips I give novice stream anglers is to be stealthy and cast accurately. Stream fish have evolved to be very alert to disturbances in the flow of water and any overhead movement that might be a predator. When wading, move very slowly to minimize noise and the ripples you create on the water surface. When wading downstream, take care to minimize the sediment you disturb into the current signaling your approach. Try to walk or wade along the shallow shoreline using vegetation to mask your approach as you cast to the shoreline with the better habitat. Often, the longer you can make your cast the more strikes you'll get.

Accurate casts to "fishy" spots will generate more hookups than blindly casting into open water or areas of poor habitat. This may mean stalking a spot, carefully choosing your path to prevent alerting the fish to your approach. Look for openings in the overhanging tree limbs or the downed tree branches in the water.

Sometimes it may take several casts to hit the target but it's very often worth the effort. I've caught many nice bass from small openings in the cover that other anglers simply passed by as being too difficult to fish. A wide variety of fish species inhabit our many local streams. Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are arguably the most sought after. Rock bass and longear sunfish are common.

Bluegill, crappie and green sunfish are also found in many streams. Channel catfish are widespread while flathead catfish inhabit the larger streams. White bass, walleye and even sauger can be found in streams that ultimately flow into the Mississippi River. And don't forget the hard fighting redhorse and hog suckers found in most streams.

An added bonus to stream fishing is the often abundant wildlife you will encounter, especially along those streams with quality corridors of trees. You will often share the stream with deer, turkey, wood ducks, and beaver, to name a few. Numerous birds, mammals and reptiles live in or near streams with quality habitat.

So when the mercury soars and you wish you could wet a line, consider a fishing trip to a local stream. The water is cool, the solitude refreshing and best of all, the fish are waiting!

Mike Reed is a fisheries management biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation .