The Doldrums or Mid-Summer Stalled

Its here. We are smack dab in the middle of a place where stream water is scarcely moving and the cool autumn winds haven’t arrived to catch the sails. July and August. Although there is still good trout fishing up north, we are about done around the southern part of the state. Its still too early to run dogs on wild birds for fear of heat, ticks, rabid toads and upsetting young birds, so– For the dogs, we have yard work, garden hoses and the wee plastic pool out back that makes for some pretty good fun and cooling. I wish I had more pictures to tell the story, but its entertaining to watch Tucker watching Bromley as if to say, “you silly pup”–as he sets by being his aloof self. I think Tucker knows that fall is around the corner, but Bromley doesn’t yet know what is coming. Unless of course, you believe that an innate knowledge of the connection between the doldrums, cooling weather and grouse are passed genetically.

I tend to think this is the case. Maybe you do too. It would explain some things such as the dogs longingly staring at my shotguns and vest and an increased interest in grouse and woodcock body parts laying around the study.

It is a good time for storing up energy inside where its cool and just generally looking like English Setters do during the doldrums.

For me its a good time to be cool inside and tie some new flies and get ready to start a new job. Yee hah! Finally. I digress, but just one more word on that subject. I’ve enjoyed a break in the form of semi-retirement and more fishing and time with the dogs, but not having any extra money limits options, so in balance–well there is balance.

Anyway, before long the nights will begin to cool, the shadows will grow longer, the days shorter, birds will fly and we’ll be walking the crisp forest floor and cool streams again. I don’t much like the doldrums of summer, but I reckon they do serve to make what follows all the better. All the same if I had my way we’d just skip it–and I’m pretty sure the dogs would to.

Cool moving water and a breeze to make the doldrums pass.

Soon.

Ya, Well–I Ain’t Buyin’ It

Maybe I Can Sleep Them Away

Tucker Observes

Tucker Doldrums

Bromley in Pool

Bromley Doldrums

~ by John McGranaghan on July 14, 2010.