By week’s end clouds moved into Central Oregon, daytime temperatures stayed in the seventies, and there was a chill to the morning’s air. Summer has come to an end.
There are still wildfires raging to the north and plumes of smoke continue to move over us. However, spurts of rain and cooler weather will aid in their demise.
Amid shifting forecasts we’ve managed to find spaces with smoke-free air and blue skies. This week one of those excursions was to the Crooked River Canyon.
Regardless of location, fishing gets better as summer turns to fall. There are fewer people along the river and it is no struggle to locate shade and stave off the scorching summer sun.
What’s not to like about the Fall?
As mentioned here before, the winter migration has started bringing with it more birds to the canyon.
River’s edge may still hold the last of summer’s green and buzz with insect life but just a few paces up the bank a season’s heat has taken its toll.
It won’t be long now for frosts to push the green out of the willow’s leaves and spread warm tones of brown down to river’s edge.
We start the day with puffy vests and hoodies braced against the brisk morning air.
Waders have again become required kit for fishing. But there’s still enough energy in the mid-day sun to warm you out of those top layers.
It’s inevitable that September will shift into October and our lunches will be accompanied by hot cocoa and a splash of whiskey. All too soon this pleasant Fall weather will get pushed out by winter’s chill.
Until snow blankets the roads, we’re getting in as much outdoor time as possible. We favor this time of year.
The bonus, however, is fruit stand shelves with half a dozen peach varieties and easily twice that in plums.
