I saw an explanation about why the temperatures continue to climb, even though we’re past the summer solstice and the days are getting shorter. It’s apparently something called Seasonal Lag, but to be honest, I didn’t read the story because it was filled with words I knew I’d have to look up.
But why it happens is not as important as that it happens. Especially when you’re out there standing in it. Frankly, if I’m trying not to melt while I’m tossing a fly line in 100-degree weather, I really don’t care why it’s so stupid hot out there. I just want to figure out how I can cool myself down about 30 degrees.
And that water I’m tossing my fly line into starts looking more and more inviting. I’ve been known to shed the waders and just mosey out into the current, as deep as I can get and still work my cast. But an even better way to cool off, though not as productive on the fish-catching side of the equation, is to dig the inner tubes out of the barn, fill them up with air, and go float the river.
We try to get at least a couple good river floats throughout the summer. The best way to do it is to get another overheated family to join us, so we can park one rig downriver, then all pile into the other vehicle and head up to where we want to put in. Then we can spend the bulk of the day splashing and soaking in the water as we leisurely bob our way down the river until we get to where we parked the first truck. Pro tip – volunteer to be the driver for the put-in vehicle, because whoever parks at the take-out ends up with wet seats. The crew tends to dry out pretty good before you get back to the put-in ride.
So grab the tubes and hit the water. It’s looking like there will be plenty of days hot enough to do it in the next couple months.
