Murky, Muddy, Mallards . . .

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Late June into early July always seem to be very rainy in these parts.  We dodged a big storm on the way to the river house, and arrived in time to see a layer of mist clinging to the warm river water.

With all the rain we had, the river was up about 6 inches.  The water was very brown, muddy and murky.

I set out in the morning for a short paddle.  Maybe it was the weather.  I didn't seem too motivated for a long paddle.  I didn't feel like fishing.  I paddled into Sucker Brook.  The water was still high and murky.

I then continued upstream and came across some mallards.  Usually they don't let me get too close.  This time I came within 20 feet of the pair.  They didn't feel very motivated either it seems.

Across the river I spooked a few mallard ducklings.  They scurried across the surface, using their wings and webbed feet to zoom across the surface.

As the sun climbed in the sky I could see the bands of discolored water flowing in the river.

A swift flew about the river, dipping into the surface.  I wonder what he was snatching off the surface?

I went fishing later in the day.  The off-color water seemed to put the fish off.  I caught a single bass.  My casting was sloppy.  I kept trying to place my crank bait right against the shore, but got hung up in the brush.

Murky and muddy made me moody.  I was glad for this day to pass...