Heatin’ Up

Finishing the steaks out on the grill, I felt that sun working it. I checked the thermometer: 99 degrees!

The afternoon to evening sun has a direct shot onto my porch, and that generally ramps up the porch sitting temperature another eight to ten degrees. Clear blue skies, not a breath of wind, and I could feel it getting into the century mark as I plated the last steak and retreated inside. I swear my initially ice-cold beer was warming noticeably while I was drinking it, despite the koozie!

The week looks a return to hot and dry, a good time to find deeper colder water to wade!

Yea, today’s task was to tie myself a supply of the new transitional dries for the summer sulfurs, boxing up a dozen and a half in sizes 16 and 18. I split my production between the CDC Duns and the Century Duns, so I can present the trout both looks. This design was a big part of my winter fly tying, so much so that I was truly excited to meet the spring hatches and give them a thorough trial. Obviously, that didn’t happen, so I hope some heavier sulfur hatches as the meager few I have seen this summer, will give me that chance.

The transitionals are intended to set down into the film, with just the thorax and wings forcing themselves into the air. Compromised hatching mayflies are vulnerable and should be very attractive to our wild, educated and wary browns and rainbows.

I wasn’t overjoyed to have to tie these on diminutive size 18 hooks, for they require more parts and manipulations than most of my usual dries, but they came out fine. The finned and spotted court of judges will of course have the final say.

Tuesday looks to be the hottest day of the week, with the high around 95 degrees. I have bountiful practical experience wading the deeper runs and pools of the 48-degree release water of the West Branch Delaware on such days. An ultralight sun hoody above and some insulation beneath fits the bill!