Leaving Autumn Dreams Behind (with much reluctance)

Endless, golden October afternoon
.
There we found our river,
A simple quiet.
Our place.
.
Along ocean sand.
Under a setting November sun.
Another afternoon for us
Each walking little paths,
Soon shared.
.
Returning,
We convened with water.
Falling from dark December skies.
We found ourselves then.
Picking up little bits
of the dreams to
Hold us tight.
.
We wondered along the creek
Through snow, woods and
All along the grassy hills.
.
Together,
At year’s end [...]

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Descent into winter

These days
Falling into hushed calm
Of mornings lingering
And afternoons brief.
I cannot say
Those fearful words
We’re done
And yet you persist
And I find you there.
Find me again
Along the river
Starved for rain
As I gather the last memories
As fast as I can.

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rain, sun, rain

Started out early in the rain, then things briefly cleared to warm sun in the early afternoon, then a walloping downpour came through late afternoon.  It came slowly over the western edge of the valley looking like a giant wave.  Only one small steelhead to hand, but a slow and steady stream of mystery grabs [...]

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River notes – November comes in on a storm

A certain tension, maybe, seems to develop as Fall progresses.  Teased on with a few light rains, the hills start to play the role with colorful trees and a few choice mushrooms showing.  But down below, the river still speaks summer with low, clear water.  I think that might have changed this weekend.  Maybe:
Follow him [...]

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Winter Cometh Soon and a Pause

The latest weather forecast paints a lengthy period of rain starting later this week suggesting rising rivers and a big step towards winter.  Granted, winter is still a ways off by the calendar.  We are likely on the cusp of the more classic fall – damp ground, the river valleys shrouded with smoke from woodstoves, [...]

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Suicide dogs

The dogs lie in waiting during the dawn hours.  A truck zipping by at 50 miles per hour constitutes fair game apparently.  Twice they seemed to just miss the front tire.  Maybe that was their version of success – game won.  Crossing and walking down to the bottom of the north-south run at the corner [...]

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Welcome October Rain

This afternoon’s Eureka forecast discussion settles the matter:
“RAIN FROM A SECOND…MUCH STRONGER SYSTEM WILL MOVE
THROUGH FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. THIS SYSTEM IS MUCH
MORE POTENT WITH ITS MOISTURE AND UPPER LEVEL SUPPORT. MUCH OF
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA WILL RECEIVE ONE TO TWO INCHES OF RAIN…”
“…RAINFALL WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON [...]

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Equinox

It all felt big and empty today.  A lonely wind tried to blow late in the afternoon but it got all hung up in the trees.  It seemed like it was trying to find itself and couldn’t quite get going.  Along the way it would pick up a few leaves from the trees and scatter [...]

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Speculations on the Movements of Steelhead

My last two outings have produced less than memorable numbers of fish – unlike my first few trips of the season.  Last night I walked the trail into a couple of decent runs.  The place has never been quantity water for me, although it definitely has the potential.  Instead, I’ve taken some of my best [...]

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New Water in an Old Place

I started out under the Davis bridge far too early in the afternoon.  It’s a short run, a quick fish, a place to spend some time while the shade settles on the better water upstream.  I walked down in shorts and wading boots through an acre of dried thistles, blackberries and hundred degree heat – [...]

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