Tuesday, August 19. I couldn’t resist the forecast: cloudy skies with a chance of rain. Yes, rain. Over the hill it had been pushing triple digits. Now, October-like weather was to make a brief appearance. I jumped on the opportunity – sneaking out of work a wee bit early, grabbing a rod and fly wallet and wheeling inland. The river temps were dropping to below 70 (ouch that’s warm water!!!), so hopefully any fish hooked and released were likely to revive. (check out temps at the Yurok’s Real-Time Monitoring Page).
Sure enough, cloudy skies prevailed, though the rain drops could be counted in the dozens (thankfully, because I had left my jacket back in the truck). What transpired shall remain unposted… suffice it to say there are a few early running fish in the river. I will leave it at that. Also of note is the lack of wind that evening – the normally ferocious and unrelenting afternoon winds up the river had been knocked down by the approaching storm. It’s so nice to leave the river at dark, warm and calm, with the crickets chirping amonst the dry grass. We just don’t get that here on the coast. I can’t wait to get back!
Shaken Rain 