It looks like another weather front might be storming through the state this weekend, which could stir up the fishing or shut it down, depending on where you are at and when. The full moon is Oct. 14.

As the front approaches, predatory sport-fish in both the mountain and desert lakes will feed more aggressively, providing increased angling opportunities. Even during the storm, fishing can be good at times as hungry fish continue to chow down to put on fat before winter conditions arrive. As the storm is passing and the barometer starts rising again, fish will often act like they have lockjaw.

In fact, that wonderful bluebird day following a storm might be great for landscape photographers and scenic rubberneckers, but it can offer poor pickings for anglers and hunters trying to gather wild fare for the autumn table.

So here’s my biggest tip – get to the high country and experience the leading edge of the autumn colors, possibly see some snowflakes fall, and catch some tail-dancing trout memories. Dress warmly.

If the wind is blowing (and it is supposed to), I like to fish Willow Springs or Woods Canyon lakes along the Mogollon Rim. Between the two, it is often possible to find a piece of shoreline that is a little more sheltered from the wind; but not always.

Windy conditions don’t always affect the trout streams as much. Try Canyon Creek, Christopher Creek, Tonto Creek, the East Fork of Black River, the West Fork of Black River, Silver Creek, or the Little Colorado River in Greer.

In streams where bait is allowed, catch some holdover hoppers from summer and you’ll have hungry trout fighting each other to gobble the wiggling morsel.

Take along the trusty .22-rifle and try for some tree squirrels. Yes, slow cooked in a crock pot or Dutch oven, squirrel meat is wonderful, especially for burritos, enchiladas and tacos. The meat is a little darker, like a chicken drumstick.

I always soak the skinned and cleaned squirrel in a little salted water first, then in whole milk for about an hour. If you are using it for Mexican food, think about cooking it with some diced Hatch chili peppers. It’ll tantalize your taste buds. By the way, if you only get one squirrel, try squirrel fried rice or make a black bean and squirrel stew.

Oops, I have to quite writing about food, my stomach is starting to growl.

In the warmwater lakes, the expected windy conditions could make things a little challenging, especially for boat anglers. My favorite windy lake to fish is Pleasant because I can often find some sheltered cove somewhere to escape the blustering blasts.

However, if it is white-cap city, don’t give up. Just leave your boat at home or on the trailer and work a little shoe leather along the backs and sides of coves, and maybe some windy main lake points as well. Just pin some topwater lures to your hat, grab a couple of poles, and go work some shoreline.

If the wind is blasting the surface, try inline spinners like Mepps, Rooster Tails or Blue Fox. A little flash-and-dash on a windy day is just what the fishing doctor ordered. At Pleasant, such a tactic might even get you some line-stripping striped bass.

Maybe take along a Texas-rigged worm with a slip sinker and carry a couple of tooth picks to peg the sinker and make it a Carolina setup if necessary. When you are casting from shore and working a lure up-grade/structure, a Carolina set up can sometimes allow the bait to float into the strike zone. Give it a try.

Another tip for a windy day is to work the rocky area near the dam at Roosevelt for smallmouth bass using curly-tail jigs or other crayfish-like baits. The wind and wave action will typically wash food like crayfish out from beneath the rocks and the smallies will often belly up to the smorgasbord.

Speaking of crayfish, this is a great time to gather up a bucketful of these small non-native crustaceans, especially in the high country lakes. Crayfish are not native to Arizona, so they don’t have a lot of predators. They can absolutely destroy a trout stream. So go catch and eat all you can to help the environment!

Go catch some memories. Maybe I’ll see you out there.