By Chris Erwin
Every year I spend a week on the water in the fall. The actual date I go usually depends on the Kentucky Outdoor Press Association fall conference. For the last few years, it has been held on Cave Run Lake so I try to go down either a week before the conference or the week after. This year it will be the week after.
They are a few reasons why I enjoy the fall and why I make this trip each year. I thought I would share with you how I prepare and what I hope to get done this time of year. If you have ever wanted to spend a week on the water in the fall, you may find some ideas here that will help you put your trip together.
I get asked a lot why I go in the fall instead of the spring. The answer is pretty simple: It’s the only time I can get away for very long. The upholstery shop stays covered up in the spring and while my duties there are nothing like they use to be, my family wants me there during the busiest time of the year.
They are a few other reasons while this trip has always been in the fall. It started as a bow-hunting trip, but as I got older I found I really liked spending these last days on the water since deer gun season was always later and I didn’t want to lose what little time we had left to fish.
The water is also predictable this time of year. We rarely have fall floods and the water is usually falling since the late season draw-down starts in October.
The bass and musky are both active this time of year, and if the weather permits you can end your season with a bang! The fish are going to be focused on the shad. Here again it makes it easy to plan. We will be throwing crankbaits, spinnerbaits and some topwater baits but there are plenty of other baits that will catch fish. Our time will be spent finding shad not changing a lot of lures. 
While the weather can be fickle, it’s not often too cold and the fish should still be in the upper water table. The lake is void of many of the boats you see all summer, and the trees are in full color. It’s just a great time to be on the water!
If you go this time of year, you want to make sure and have a rain suit. Rains can be cold, turning a little rain into a freezing nightmare if you get to wet. It’s also a good idea to carry a change of clothes in case you end up in the water for some reason.
I always also buy my deer tag and bring my bow just in case I spot a big buck that I end up wanting to spend a little time hunting.
For years, I camped for this trip somewhere up Licking River. These days, I have a permanent camp that I have had for some time. So I’m staying in a camper and I don’t have to pack everything I bring up the river by boat. However, I find I miss those days and my time hunting and fishing with my old friend Hershell Crum.
If you have an annual trip that you take each year, drop me a line. I would love to hear about it.
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