Autumn

Though the foliage has just begun to take on hints of autumn color, the rivers reflect the season in grand style. Flows are strong on the freestoners, and water temperatures are downright chilly just a week after summer’s finale. October lies on the doorstep, and my double gun is calling…

It is the latter half of the final week of September and the river too is calling me. I have not waded bright water for nearly a week, and my legs are wont to feel the rush of current once more. I need to feel the old cork of the Leonard in my hand and watch the dance of a dry fly on some sparkling run!

I feel the urgency of another season slipping from my grasp, though I still cling to hopes for an Indian Summer reprieve and for the season to steer a long, gradual course for autumn.

It was just last year that November brought a run of seventy-degree days to these Catskill Mountains: fishing the wide Delaware in shirtsleeves, can you imagine? I see no reason for truly cold weather until deer season.

Nature will give us what she will, and I will be thankful for it, whether it extends my fishing season or not. To see the seasons change in these mountains is enough!