Those sassy-grassy-bassy days of summer
How I tell it's summer, one essential summertime fishing skill, and the feel-good fish of the season.
CFStronauts
We just hit meteorological summer at last weekend's solstice, but for me, for the last two decades or so, the real start of summer is when I first hear DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's "Summertime".
I still remember the definitive moment when the two fused. I was working in the New York Post's sports department, and at 2am we had finally put the newspaper to bed. My colleague Eric and I both lived in Harlem, and he offered me a ride back uptown—a huge upgrade to taking the subway, and a gesture of acceptance from an older colleague (with a car). We were cruising up the FDR in his Jetta, listening to the radio, windows down, and boom, there it was.
Maybe it was just one of those early spring heatwaves, but it was still significant enough. There was a slightly rank breeze off the East River, just barely cutting the humidity. After a silent shared nod, Eric twisted the volume up. Well, I'll be damned. It was summertime.
Invariably, every year since, I will hear "Summertime" in some unforced, natural, diagetic way—on the radio, from the window of a parked car, in a bar or restaurant—and everything will just fit. And I will think to myself, "OK, now summer has started." Invariably, the song just arrives at a particular time of day or mood or weather situation and, there we have it: Summer.
Want to know what's especially weird? The last three years, I've started hearing it together with "Summer Madness" by Kool and the Gang, the source of the sample for Mssrs. Smith and Jeff. Sometimes it's the DJJJ&TFP first. Sometimes it's Kool's octave-jumping synth, ripping a hole in the fabric of time and space.
This is a long way to go to inform you that this year, in the first week of May I heard both, again, the same week. Thus, despite having just passed the calendar hurdle, we've been here for a few months. It's been hot. Out west, fire season started early. We've heated up the planet and are now facing the consequences. The Fresh Prince, and Kool, and Jazzy Jeff, and the whole Gang (or the conspiracy of radio DJs who are season-pushing) have declared it. Now it's time to come to terms.
What's your tell-tale sign it's summer? Reply and let me know!
n.b. My daughter has designated her official start to what she terms her "Wild Girl Summer" as when she gets stung by a bee. I'll keep you posted on when that commences.
Here's one essential summer fishing skill:
Nick Parish
July Casual Casting
Casual Casting co-host Lisa Amato and I are back at it on Friday, July 31 at Westmoreland Park. Register here to drop by for an open casting session where we find stuff to work on, offer friendly critique towards improvement, and maybe even play some fun casting games.
July 31: Casual Casting
Join us at at a free Friday night casting practice co-hosted with fellow CI candidate Lisa Amato. All are welcome, and rods will be provided.
Ribbon map update
Ribbon maps are now in stock at several local retailers! You can find them at the Deschutes Angler in Maupin, Royal Treatment in West Linn, and The Four One in Parkdale. Got a shop you think might want to carry the map? Let me know! Haven't got one yet? What are you waiting for?
🎥 Film pick(s) of the week
Talking about summer (and that summertime fish, the bass), this week I was reminded of these two gems from Catch Magazine featuring Todd Moen and friends answering the proverbial question: "Who's gonna feed them hogs?"
I think I went straight out and bought a dozen poppers the first time I watched this video. Slow-mo hero shots, smooth soundtracks, lush scenery. They really have it all. Enjoy.
Leaders ➰
Fishy links to start your week. Got one to share? Hit reply and send it over! 🪝
Keep fido out 🐕
The Deschutes is running super low, and a cyanobacteria algal bloom in Lake Billy Chinook means don't let your pooch drink. (Deschutes Angler on Instagram)
Know your mayflies ⛵
The Pale Evening Duns are starting to make their appearance on the Lower D. (deschutesriveralliance.org)
Don't be a boat ramp bozo 🤡
Now's a good time to review the essentials of boat ramp etiquette. (fwp.mt.gov)
The Zen of not catching 🎯
What if all the fish you miss on dries never actually ate in the first place? (flylab.substack.com)
Dammed if we do 🧱
Bridge Michigan takes a close look at the fight over dams on the holy waters of the Au Sable, with private equity vultures circling. (bridgemi.com)
A river knows how to river 🏃♂️
In New Mexico, the Gila River is getting room to spread out and occupy its natural floodplain. (reasonstobecheerful.world)
If you wild it, they will come 🚴♀️
The 750-mile Empire State Trail is a case study in the economic recovery that can be had from nature-based tourism and activity. (highlandscurrent.org)
That's it that's all! Current Flow State is a weekly newsletter from me, Nick Parish.
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