Beating the heat

I’m pretty sure most people will agree that the first part of this summer proved unseasonably cool. In fact, as August arrived, I began to anticipate that we might not even see the century mark during the hottest season of 2019.

But in spite of my hopes, the sultry days that we are accustomed to experiencing during the month of July finally arrived. In fact, the thermometer hovered within a few degrees of and actually exceeded triple digits for several consecutive days.

It’s hard to grow motivated about going outside during these conditions, as even short stints in the outdoors can prove nothing less than miserable. However, I can recall a day when I hardly allowed the brunt of summer to slow me down.

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that I have slowed down a bit with age. In fact, I guess one could say I have grown more soft, but in all reality, I suspect that wade fishing would still prove a great means of getting out and enjoying the outdoors during the brunt of summer.

I’ll also be the first to admit that creeks aren’t as easily accessible as they were during my younger days. There was a time when most landowners were quick to grant permission to folks who asked to fish along waterways on their properties.

But things have changed. And in all fairness to the landowners, they are not necessarily the one to to blame. One cannot expect a person to give permission for another to enter their land when previous visitors have shown very little respect for their property.

I’ve seen it first-hand. People often leave the creek-banks scattered with aluminum cans, plastic bags, wrappers, wads of fishing line and dirty diapers, not to mention a lack of concern for fences, hayfields and trees.

That being, said, we are often limited to creeks and small rivers cutting their way through public land. However, it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities to gain the trust of a landowner, on occasion, at which time one should go to the extreme to treat the property with the utmost respect.

But regardless of where a waterway is located, there are a few considerations one should make prior to striking out along wadable waters. First and foremost, one should find a creek that is shaded by a thick canopy of overhanging limbs.

It is also essential, if one plans to remain cool, to consider water depth. Of course rapids and shallow pools are common throughout creeks and small rivers. However, there is very little relief in sight when one spends the entire outing wading in ankle deep waters.

In fact, shallow waters plagued with slippery stones can prove somewhat of a challenge to navigate. And rest assured that the heat will grow even more evident when one is constantly fighting to keep a solid footing. And lets face it, one has little hope of tying into anything worth catching in these long and shallow holes.

Fortunately, there are those waterways in our neck of the woods where deep pools occasionally lurk between the shoals. And these are the perfect wading destinations during the heat of summer.

These special little spots might be few and far between, so make it a point to enjoy them to their fullest. In fact, I’ve been known to spend my entire outing at one hole of water. Of course, I would thoroughly fish the pool and remain as quiet as possible upon arrival.

It doesn’t prove much of a chore to remain quiet and fish thoroughly on those sultry summer days, as the angler is usually savoring the opportunity to stand neck deep in the refreshing and cool waters. And if the water level is only waist deep? Not a problem. Simply slowly kneel down and fish from the seated position.

Once confident the hole has been fished thoroughly, then comes the time to lay the fishing rig on the shoreline’s edge and go for a swim. My inquisitive side has always beckoned that I swim underwater and explore the substrate. And it hardly ever fails that I happen upon ledges and other submerged cover provid

ing the optimal habitat for larger fish. And I even notice impressive fish slowly disappearing into the depths during these underwater excursions.

Of course, one must be mindful that snakes are often plentiful along these calm and secluded streams and rivers as well. But a watchful eye is usually more than enough to avoid close and sometimes nerve-wracking encounters.

After writing this article, I’m thinking its time to get out there on a sultry summer day and experience an activity that I enjoyed on a regular basis as a youngster. And with a little luck I’ll coax a few impressive brownies into biting while cooling myself in the mountain-fed waters that cut their way through the heart of the Ouachitas.