A Change In The Weather Much Needed
I don’t know about you but I’ve about had a belly full of this incessantly hot and dry weather.
I checked my weather notes and noticed that we have had about 20 straight days of no rain and temperatures near or above 100 degrees.
We have had some predictions that I have come to doubt, that we might see a lowering of temperatures sometime in the next week or so along with maybe a shower. As much as I’d like to believe that it won’t be long before we get some relief, I’m still skeptical of such predictions. I think I will have to see it to believe it.
There is a prediction shared with me by my friend Neil Shaw, meteorologist, who doesn’t always have to rely on his computer and maps to predict weather. Shaw said he received this information from an old gentleman who, like my mom, didn’t need a weatherman to tell him when changes would be coming; he just looked at the natural order of things and when they happened, you could mark it down.
Shaw told me that the gentleman’s prediction was that when you begin seeing yellow butterflies flitting across the road, there will be a frost some 30 days later. He added that he has watched this for the past several years and it has proven to be basically true.
Taking note, I saw my first yellow butterfly September 10, so I have marked my calendar to see what the weather will be like on October 10. That should be the second Saturday of squirrel season, so you can bet I hope that’s right; nothing is more special to a squirrel hunter than to feel the chill in the air and the absence of mosquitoes.
Shaw noted that the reason for this may have something to do with the lessening of daylight hours and cooler nights in September that trigger the little butterflies to begin their flight, the same criteria that causes hummingbirds to begin their migration across the Gulf to spend the winter away from the cold temperatures.
My mom never had to rely on butterflies to predict changes in weather. She had inbuilt system that proved to be true just about all the time.
I grew up in the country and was blessed with a mama who was as good at predicting weather as some of our meteorologists. If mama said something was going to happen, it usually did just as she said.
A favorite is one that I have watched down through the years that has proven to be basically right on the money…. ”If it thunders in February, it will frost on that same day in April”. To be honest, it doesn’t always frost on the predicted day but in nearly every case, there will be a significant cool down around that date. She also predicted, usually correctly that there will be chilly weather around Easter.
Between the arrival of the yellow butterflies this time of year coupled with my mama’s finger-to-the-wind prediction, I’m not sure I need to listen to long-range weather reports to get an accurate reading of what the weather is likely to do in the coming weeks.
All I do know is that my lawn has turned to crispy brown duff instead of the luxurious green it’s supposed to have. I am saving money on having someone mow my yard because basically, there is nothing to mow.
This time of year, what I really like to do is to be able to sit on the porch, cup of coffee in hand and enjoy the nice rather brisk weather. I may even need to slip on a jacket for comfort.
If I tried to do the same thing this week, the heat would creep in and I’d soon head inside for the air conditioning.
Let’s hope the yellow butterflies I’m seeing now know what they’re predicting.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are fair around the grass early on topwaters. Later if you can stand the heat, they’re around deep drops. Soft plastics and cranks baits are working fair. Crappie are around the deeper tops and are hitting jigs and shiners. Bream are slow. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Crappie are deep and are fair on shiners or jigs. Some bass are being caught early on topwaters and not many anglers are trying it later because of the excessive heat. Fishing overall has slowed because of air and water temps being so warm. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Bass are fair on crank baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair in the river lakes. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are overall slow but best on topwaters early. Crappie are in deep water in the channel and fair on jigs and shiners. The bream are slow. Catfish are fair on red wigglers and night crawlers fished just off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie are suspended around and above the thermocline where there is more oxygen. Bass are in the shallows early hitting topwaters. Not many are trying them later because of excessive heat. Night fishing is best now that the weather is turning hot. Bream are slow. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water level is still falling. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and buffalo caught in nets. Nobody is trying the crappie and bass because it’s too hot. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.