The dog days of summer are a 40-day period from July 3 –August 11. It is at this time the dog star, Sirius, rises and sets with the sun.
Although the dog days of summer are usually the hottest, they don’t have anything to do with either dogs or the star Sirius. Instead, they say the tilt of the Earth explains why these days tend to be the summer’s hottest.
During summer the tilt of the Earth causes sun’s light to hit the Northern Hemisphere at a more direct angle, and for a longer period of time. This means hotter days.
The fishing reports for stripers on Beaver Lake were very good this week. The guides have been going out about 30 minutes before sunrise and doing very well until about 9 a.m. Some are still fishing at night and doing just as well.
On days of extreme high temperatures, the easiest way to beat the heat is to switch over to warm water fishing. I love Kings River for this – chasing smallmouth bass is phenomenal on a fly rod.
Smallmouth can fight harder pound-for-pound than many other species.
The flies I like to use on the Kings are a white woolly booger with a red wrap around its neck and some flash. Any crawdad patterns, and towards the evening a popper with the drop fly. I have actually caught two fish at one time using this method.
If you choose to take a spin and rig to the Kings River, a white rooster tail with a red head, rebel, crawdad, and tube jigs work. As evening falls a tiny torpedo is the trick. Look for deep holes and hope for a bit of flowing water.
The coolest place to be right now is on the White River. At times it feels like nature’s air conditioner. The water is always cold, that’s why the trout are so happy there.
That’s where we hit the river to catch Hudson Rapphold’s first trout, using power bait and nightcrawlers injected with air.
Sightseeing or a guided trout fishing trip? Call Custom Adventures Guide Service (479) 244-5259.