Just Fishing

Last day of a week that felt like autumn has already arrived and, I think I’ll go fishing.

I carried the Maxwell Leonard 50 DF yesterday, amazing myself with how beautifully it casts. I had to keep backing off on my power stroke, and watching the line simply sail out there. With a faster action than many bamboo rods, it is easy to punch this Leonard a little too hard, and that is counterproductive. My wrist fished graphite for too many years, and muscle memory lasts, confound it!

I tried a couple of rivers, taking five trout on an Isonychia pattern 100-Year Dun. Still, there was no sign of even one of the larger trout I seek, but I truly enjoyed the day. The latter portion of the afternoon was particularly blissful. The sun, revealing itself from the passing cloud banks and warming my back, caused me to turn and take in the sight of the river below: sanctuary for the soul.

Summer returns this weekend, the milder Catskill Summer I cherish, with highs from the mid-seventies to the low eighties, cool nights, and a bit of rainfall here and there, giving the freestone rivers a chance to hold onto the fishable temperatures this autumn interlude has provided. May it be so!

I may try a two-river approach again today, continuing my search for the missing leviathans, and taking advantage of this taste of gorgeous weather.