I would be choosing my tackle for the day, with a ride to the river just minutes away, but prudence has stayed my plans. An angler must be adaptive, and this morning’s threat of severe storms has me adapting mine. Most of the risk is centered on the morning hours, so a few thoughts may be laid down, and a few flies may be tied while Nature plays out her intentions for these Catskills.

Should storms decide to favor our rivers with gentle rain rather than downpours, some afternoon fishing could still be in the cards. I’m thinking this could be the day to carry a T&T Paradigm, the perfect rod for a quiet contemplative visit to the river. Followers of the marque know the Paradigm fly rods, both bamboo and graphite, were conceived to be the finest dry fly rods imaginable. They reward a smooth, deft casting stroke with perfection!

A day like this leads me to tie on an isonychia dry fly and stalk some of my favorite haunts along the Upper Delaware. Should the storms pass by, the cool, cloudy afternoon will keep the water temperatures favorable below Hancock, and the cold water flow from the West Branch still retained good clarity when I visited yesterday. It is the kind of day I have found the big, claret duns appearing over the years, and the memories tease my interest.

I have already gathered several iso dries, and tied some others, so I have just to place them in the evolving seasonal fly boxes in my summer vest. The Paradigm will be ready with a wipe of the ferrules, and a Perfect with a number five line is as close as the armoire behind me!

Eight o’clock, and a gentle hint of rain is falling. Clouds obscure the peaks of the mountains at all sides. The Red Gods’ intentions remain unclear, but it is time to allow the day develop.