SEPTEMBER
Beech Fork Hybrid Stripers
Just about any time is a good time to chase hybrid stripers. These striped bass and white bass crossbreeds are one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish out there. So let's escort the fall season in with these thick-bodied battlers with a trip to Beech Fork Lake.

At 720 acres, Beech Fork is one of the state's smaller reservoirs. But it makes up for its lack of size by way of healthy fish populations. This includes hybrid stripers, a fishery maintained by regular stockings by the state Division of Natural Resources.

Beech Fork has a substantial gizzard shad population, one that the hybrids make good use of. Keeping in touch with shad locations in the lake will assist you in finding these eating machines.

A boat ramp is located at the lake's marina. Boats are limited to 10 horsepower. Any boat on the lake with a motor greater than 10 horsepower must have its propeller removed. The lake is about 10 miles south of Huntington.

OCTOBER
Tygart Lake Smallmouths
Although I love catching river smallmouths, taking them from lakes isn't too bad either. That's especially true when surrounded by the colors of the season on a scenic water like Tygart Lake.

Located near Grafton, Tygart Lake is a good choice for those from the Morgantown and Fairmont areas. Its proximity to Interstate 79 makes it an option even for anglers who live greater distances away, especially from the north and south.

An impoundment of the Tygart Valley River, its nearly 1,800 acres (summer pool) feature a predominately rocky shoreline. The shore's irregular features create plenty of points and cuts for fall smallies to relate to. And there are good numbers of smallmouths here. Tygart Lake is considered one of the top bass lakes in the state, and one with a strong smallmouth population.

The main boat launch on the lake is located at the Tygart Lake State Park near Grafton. Since this lake is subject to fall drawdowns, it's probably wise to plan on using the main launch. However, there is another access area at the Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area. Another good fall option is the tailwaters section below the dam. While smallmouth bass may be present there, the area has a good reputation as a producer of walleyes and tiger muskies.

NOVEMBER
Elk River Muskies
Muskie fishing has always had a strong association with late fall. In a state where one has several options on where to cast a lure for river muskies, it can be difficult to make a choice. But if one were to pick the Elk River, it would be difficult to argue with the decision, particularly if the target is a trophy-sized muskie.

Muskies are present in the entire stretch of the Elk River from Sutton Dam down to its merger with the Kanawha River. But the best habitat lies in the portions that flow through Braxton and Clay counties.

As water temperatures drop, river muskies will concentrate in the deeper, slower pools. Higher water flows, common in the fall, further collect muskies in such spots. The presence of wood -- shoreline deadfalls and logs imbedded in the river bottom -- adds to the likelihood muskies will hold in the pool.

Access spots are numerous along this stretch of the Elk. In Clay County, there are campsites 1 and 2, Duck, King Shoals, Mary Chilton Roadside Park and Queen Shoals to name a few. Braxton County access is limited to a small boat landing at the Frametown Bridge and the one at the Sutton Dam tailwaters.