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June 23, 2019 - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides

SUMMER IS HERE
BY JOHN BERRY

Last week I was fishing on a sunny day, with temperatures in the nineties and little if any wind. When I got off the river, my Suburban had been sitting in the sun for hours and was toasty warm. I was perspiring, when I headed home. It took a cold shower and a change of clothing to cool me down. Summer is here and we have to deal with it. Here in Arkansas summers can get pretty hot. Over the years, I have developed strategies to survive summer fishing.

The first is to wade. To me, there is nothing like wade fishing, with the water lapping against my waders, being surrounded by gin clear water and being able to easily see the fish. The water is a constant fifty seven degrees. If you want to cool off you just wade a little deeper. If it is brutally hot (over a hundred degrees) I will wet wade. I wear my wading boots with neoprene booties but no waders. It is minimalism at its finest. Dress to get wet. If you are too hot, take a swim. This is the ultimate hot weather survival strategy.

There is only one problem. The water has to be low enough to wade. That is great right now but in a few days downstream flooding is going to clear and the Corps of Engineers is going to begin generation with a vengeance. I expect high water for most of the summer. In situations like that, there are streams like the Spring River, the North Fork of the White, the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek that are not subject to generation.

You can fish early or fish late to avoid the heat of the day. I prefer to fish early before the sun has risen high in the sky. I will get on the river before sunrise. There is nothing more beautiful than the sun rising and cutting through the fog. The problem here is that my regular fishing buddy, my wife, Lori, is not an early riser. By the time she is up and has walked our dogs, it is getting warm. A lot of times I will go early and meet up with her when she arrives.

Finally there is the strategy of dressing for the heat and fishing trough it. In a boat there is nowhere to hide. You need to protect your skin from the sun and take advantage of any breeze. You want light breathable fabrics. I wear lightly colored tropical pants and long sleeved shirts. I always wear sun gloves. A lot of my fellow guides wear Buffs (light woven fabric neck gear that can be pulled to protect their faces and ears but I prefer full brimmed straw hats. I wear light wading shoes to complete my gear. All of it is light and quick drying and I can take a quick dip to cool off.

It is possible to handle the heat. Get ready it is coming.

John Berry

berrybrothers@infodash.com - www.berrybrothersguides.com

(870) 435-2169
- (870) 404-8015

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