I heard it dipped into the 20s at Brundage Mountain this week. Leaves are turning brilliant gold. Football is being “discussed” with tiny flecks of spittle flying from opposing mouths, and there are big, strong fish swimming from the ocean into Idaho’s rivers.

If that’s not enough fall clues for you, it will take a snowstorm to wake you up to the obvious.

Fall is exciting because second to spring, it’s the best time of year to fish. I know you summer lovers think it should rank higher, but fall is golden for more than its leaves.

The water cools and fish know winter is coming. And that’s not just trout. If you’re still out chasing bass and other warmwater fish, you know they’re feeding aggressively, too

The only challenge is balancing hunting with fishing trips.

Hunting season is short in comparison to fishing season, which is essentially year round.

But there’s time to do both. I’m planning trips to local ponds I didn’t get to in the spring, and there’s always the Boise River for a quick after-work trip. Then there’s a combo deer/steelhead trip this fall.

Wherever you’re hunting, there’s usually a lake, reservoir or stream nearby. Take advantage of them.

There’s also a good ol’ fashion cast-and-blast trip.

So look below and find your favorite spot to fish and give it a go. Or just as good, find someplace off the chart and hit it.

Think like a fish. Winter is looming, and I know from the deserted rivers most of you stay home when the snow flies, so if you’re not out in the next month or so, it’s a long time until spring.