Autumn is in the air and if the weather folks are right, maybe even a few snow flakes in higher elevations this weekend.

An unfailing sign of autumn is the first native Apache trout stocking of the year in Silver Creek near Show Low, courtesy the Silver Creek Fish Hatchery. It has become an annual event (see story below) on the first October day.

Check out this week’s Alamo Lake report where a bass-fishing couple got married, then celebrated the nuptials by having family and friends participate in a wedding-style bass tourney. It puts a whole new spin on learning to tie fishing knots.

With the opening of the small game season Oct. 3, maybe it’s time to give some cast-and-blast tips. Even though Roosevelt has not been on fire this fall yet, fishing is still decent there and could take off any time. However, Tonto Basin will likely be a central Arizona hot spot for Gambel’s quail.

Bartlett Lake is in prime Gambel’s quail territory and the fishing there has been superb this fall. However, the thicker vegetation in much of the area can mean practicing pretty quick wing shooting. Be sure to get away from water recreationists.

One of my favorite fin-and-feather forays is to Apache Lake even though the smallmouth bass aren’t back on the angling menu yet. The yellow bass and largemouth bass, plus the sheer beauty of this lake along the Apache Trail, make it all worthwhile. The adventure of traveling there over narrow dirt roads winding along steep precipices is just added spice (at last to many of us).

Those are tips for all you quail-and-bass lovers (yes, my hand was up). Now here are some tips for some squirrel-and-trout adventures (my hand is still up). The Mogollon Rim lakes and the adjoining ponderosa pine forest probably offers the premier trout-and-squirrel opportunities.

Don’t forget, junior hunters can get over-the-counter turkey tags as well (Oct. 3-9 season). You can go for a turkey and trout outing to the high cool pines, with some squirrels and maybe blue grouse thrown in for sheer autumn decadence. I’m ready!

We might not have lots of grouse, but they provide an added dimension to your mixed-bag, cast-n-blast adventure. Hey, it’s shotgun (or handgun) shooting shot for these birds, but apparently, you can also use a crossbow. Very interesting.

Now for the bass lakes, but let’s start with a side note for those launching their boats at O-dark-thirty: Please turn off your headlights so you don’t blind others driving down the ramp to launch. Here’s why. When you have a boat trailer attached and pointing up a ramp, your headlights become elevated and can easily blind someone. It’s a common courtesy and a common sense safety thing – a blinded driver could run into your outfit (or mine). Thanks.

Let’s get back to the fishing.

I know you are probably tired about hearing the Lake Pleasant hot-fishing litany, but maybe you’ll be glad to know that some anglers are missing the good bite while others are getting all the action they need. It’s not a for-sure thing. You have to work at it. Plan to search around the lake to find the most active bass, then pounce.

We have gotten some encouraging reports from anglers at Saguaro hitting the small largemouth bass and yellow bass jackpot. Great news for all us Saguaro addicts – it’ll be nice to get back into a tulle state of mind this winter.

Don’t forget that Saguaro is a pump-back lake. While water is released into Saguaro during peak electrical demand times to produce hydro-electric power, when the demand is light (and electricity cheaper), water is pumped back up into Canyon Lake. During water releases or pump-back times, a current is created. Predatory fish, such as bass, will typically face into the current. It makes a big difference in your lure presentations (and fishing success).

Lake Powell right now might provide some of the best fishing in the West right now. Striped, smallmouth and largemouth bass on topwater in one of the most scenic places on Earth if tough to beat. Right next door, Lees Ferry is providing some quality angling for wild trout, but don’t expect crowds, there aren’t any.