Autumn Assumptions

If you’ve spent any time in the Rocky Mountain west this summer, you’ve likely overheard a ton of mumbling and grumbling about fires, drought, and shit fishing. Well, some of it is true. And some of it has been overhyped. We recently received this note from Greg Felt over at ArkAnglers on Colorado’s Arkansas River, who succinctly sheds some fresh—shut-up-and-go-fishing—light on the subject. 

Via ArkAnglers:

Quality of the Experience—

It may have been the fires this summer. Or the dry landscape and low streamflows. Perhaps it’s the record heat throughout many parts of the country. I’m not sure, but somewhere along the way people seem to have adopted the notion that this is simply a tough year and that we should write it off and move on. That’s not what I’m seeing here, though, as I look at the next sixty days. Instead, I’m seeing clear water and deep green pools. I’m seeing trout moving up into fast shallow riffles to feed on midge pupae in the mornings and blue wing olive nymphs in the afternoon. There are hoppers springing in every direction when one walks through the brush and there are caddis, mayflies, and midges on the water. I’m seeing cooler mornings and evenings and the crystal clear days those bring. There will be snow on the high peaks and sharp color below that; aspen, scrub oak, alder and willow. I’m seeing a river with few anglers, plenty of room to move, the boat traffic finished up and the campgrounds emptying out. And I’m seeing a fishing company still in high gear, the shops still stocked, the staff still helpful, the guides still working it, on the oars and on foot. I think this will be a beautiful fall down here in many ways. And I hope that each of you has the chance to experience it.

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