Not too long ago, the West Branch of the Susquehanna was what many would consider a dead river. The leading cause was uncontrolled acid mine drainage that killed almost everything in sight.

Many readers will remember how even short exposure to the water would turn anything a rusty red color. But that is far from the case today.

Today’s Werst Branch offers a thriving fishery for many species, including smallmouth and large brown trout. But the species that gets the heart pumping is the ever-allusive muskellunge.

Many anglers associate musky fishing with early spring or even the heat of summer. Spring is famous for bringing hungry muskies out of hiding as they feed aggressively following a long winter. Summer finds the water wolves cruising shallow and attacking top waters and spinners out of anger as much as hunger. But for large, heavy trophy musky, nothing beats the fall bite.

As temperatures drop, musky — like many other species — start feeding like never before, preparing for a long, cold winter. Plus, those same fish you saw in the spring have had an entire summer of gorging on bluegills and suckers to grow and put on weight.

This combination gives you the best chance of the season to catch big fish. However, targeting fall musky can be so different that you might be fishing in new water.

The first difference you will encounter is finding where the musky moved. During the warmer months, they prefer to cruise the shallows. Targeting flats or the tip of rocky points usually allows you to hook up with far less than the famous 1000 casts. Not so once the leaves are falling. Now, you need to look deeper.

Big fish will have abandoned the shallows for deeper pools. Although they may be near the point, likely, they are now further down the bank slope, even 2 or 3 times deeper than only a few months ago. They will also be more profound in the vegetation where they previously hid in the shadows waiting for passing prey.

Focus on vertical walls, deep pockets, or heavy cover just offshore of summer haunts. Although musky will move to deeper water, it is often within casting distance of the shallow flats they cruised during the summer.

Next, you will notice that your previously successful top water or blade is leaving you skunked. The fast-moving baits can no longer pull monster musky from the deeps. To be successful in the cooling water, you need to break out the crankbait, jerkbait and giant swimbaits. A slow, deep presentation is the ticket to needing the net this time of year.

Everyone has a favorite pattern, but I am a big fan of matching the hatch whenever possible. On the West Branch, this can be a fat trout, colorful bluegill, or even a juicy sucker — all favorite fare of local muskies. One of my favorite combinations is a 5-6 inch white or silver swimbait with a black and purple skirt for more movement. The black and purple skirt can often save a bad day.

Weather will also play a much different role during fall attempts to land a musky: summer angler’s warm days and a light southerly breeze. Not so as water temperatures drop; the best days to boat a fall musky is when temperatures are down, and a cold front is approaching.

Unseasonable warm days will shut down the bite like hitting a switch. However, this should come as no surprise as most predators, including musky, will feed heavily when dropping temperatures indicate winter is around the corner.

Cold, windy days may not feel like the best time to be on the water, but in terms of putting fish in the net, they far outpace Indian Summer.

If you have filled your tags already or just need a break from not seeing your big buck, get on the water and chase a toothy giant instead.

Good luck, good fishing.