By the time this gets published and gets read by you, the first official cool-down of fall 2023 will be happening. The forecast for September smallmouth into next week looks outstanding! Summer has ended, and now it's time to turn the page. While the boat, our lake selection, and we ourselves are ready for fall fishing patterns and strategies to take shape, I am simply not yet mentally prepared for this final quarter of the year. Where did my summer season go..... I was back on the water last week for trips with my groups of anglers. Great fishing some days, tougher fishing on a few. For a non-livescoping boat that is also anti-social media, our 50-fish days were impressive. So too were the struggle days of 15 to 30 fish. Lots of 16 to 19 inch fish captured, with the tops at 20". Unfortunately, I was regulated to action waters and was unable to work the trophy waters I favor. This weekend's heat wave made things challenging. I am glad I didn't have to fish. Struggles galore from the sounds of it. My boat has begun seeing some early fall activity happening. Schooling of baitfish is occurring with more regularity. Yellow perch are invading the flats and d