It’s been pretty hot here in Tennessee. Hiking way back into the backcountry of the Smokies seems more than oppressive in this kind of heat and humidity. A good swim in the river sounds so much better.

One thing I can’t help but notice is how trout are easily spooked by things outside of the water, but when you’re in the water they are curious and even approach you.

The heat has made fishing pretty tough this week. We haven’t even thought about getting in the drift boat in these conditions. There is a chance of thunderstorms over the weekend and temperatures are forecast to break from the high 90′s to the low 90′s. In spite of the heat, daytime highs on Mount Leconte and Clingman’s dome have been in the mid 70′s.