Hiatus

It has been more than a week since I last stalked a Catskill river or wielded a fly rod; a time for taking care of many of the other necessities of life. For most people, nine days away from fishing would not be abnormal. Most anglers fish a weekend or two during the course of the year, the most fervent perhaps half a dozen weekends from spring through early summer. In retirement, I am more fortunate, for it is from these rivers that I draw the essence of life.

Now I am acutely aware that it is not the prime-time fishing that I have missed. In fact, heat and spotty storm systems have made this last half of July less than productive. Even though time on the rivers may not have resulted in memorable fishing, I miss the energy of the flow, the magic of the hidden rise, and the mental challenges of solving Nature’s puzzles.

I am very much looking forward to August, and it’s first week bringing the quintessential Catskill summer weather I love! Summerfest comes to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor on the first weekend, when the faithful gather to browse vintage tackle and share thoughts and memories of their seasons. August is corn on the cob at farmers’ roadside stands, misty mornings stalking trout, the first rays of golden evening sunlight that says it’s high summer and the season is turning.

Such golden light brings me hints of autumn and grouse on the wing, warm, breezy afternoons with ants or hoppers touching down to send the trout into an impromptu feeding frenzy.

For today, another stormy day is promised, but we hang expectantly on the cusp of change. Perhaps I will even tie a few flies to move closer to that first warm embrace of August!