Author Archives: rivertoprambles

About rivertoprambles

Welcome to Rivertop Rambles. This is my blog about the headwaters country-far afield or close to home. I've been a fly-fisher, birder, and naturalist for most of my adult life. I've also written poetry and natural history books for thirty years. In Rambles I will mostly reflect on the backcountry of my Allegheny foothills in the northern tier of Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York State. Sometimes I'll write about the wilderness in distant states, or of the wild places in the human soul. Other times I'll just reflect on the domestic life outdoors. In any case, I hope you enjoy. Let's ramble!

The Gnats

Posted on March 31, 2020

I parked 20 feet from an old black truck at a pull-off by the river. I began to pull on my waders when I saw two fishermen with rods and nets returning to their vehicle. Before I knew it, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Beaverkill, distance, economy, fishing, friendship, Genesee, Griffith's Gnat, nature, pandemic, reminiscense, stocking, virus, Willowemoc, writing | 13 Comments

The Far and Fine, from Home

Posted on March 25, 2020

1. The sun on rusted rails extending through a chain of ponds. Sun that softens the edge of ice; walkin’ blues colored by a smile. Sun reflecting from an eagle; thermals of the western ridge. The sun on a leaning … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birds, deep woods, haiku, home, narrative, nature, pandemic, poetry, Spring, Walt Franklin, Wings Over Water, writing | 18 Comments

Getting My Green Back

Posted on March 17, 2020

I’d like to say that when the going gets tough, the tough go fishing, but I wasn’t feeling all that confident of late. With the world changing so rapidly in recent hours, though, I did go fishing. Yes. The sky … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged fishing, green, hiking, hysteria, nature, Sam the Shamrock, social distancing, society, teaching, trees, virus, writing | 16 Comments

Irish Hill

Posted on March 10, 2020

“What’s your name, boy? Look at me! I’ll say it once more, and that’s it!” Saturday night. Years ago. Driving home from a four-day workweek, needing to unwind. The Cold Beer Tavern, corner bar, small town USA. “Truth boy, look … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Cold Beer Tavern, crusher, drinking, friendship, graffiti, Green Book, Ireland, Irish Hill, nature, O'Shaugnessy, poetry, redneck, St. Pat's, TripEnd Brewing, What's your name?, writing | 8 Comments

An Excuse To Be…

Posted on March 6, 2020

The arrival of March is always an exciting time for me, no matter what the weather’s like. It can be cold and snowy, wet and windy, or warm enough by day to get the sap flowing skyward through the maple … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birdwatching, flyfishing, nature, Nature writing, non-fiction, personal essays, poetry, Spring, Walt Franklin, Wings Over Water | 10 Comments

Taking Flight

Posted on February 25, 2020

Many of you who have followed this blog for a while understand that I seldom honk my horn, attempting to promote the books I write. Occasionally, though, a new work is issued and I’m justly proud to release it like … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Rivertop Rambles", birds, books, ecology, fly-fishing, natural history, nature, poetry, small press, Walt Franklin, Wings Over Water, Wood Thrush Books, writing | 12 Comments

A Letort Original

Posted on February 20, 2020

[ Although I introduced the following subject in a post about a year ago, I’d like to present it once more, this time from a somewhat difficult angle, accompanied by recent photos from the New York home water. Thanks, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bamboo, birds, Black Ant, brown trout, fishing tackle, fly-fishing, friendship, iconoclasm, Letort Spring Creek, nature, Spring, spring creeks, tenkara, writing | 10 Comments

Winter Spring

Posted on February 13, 2020

Mid-February, and I track through the snow toward a big spring in the hills. I’d follow the deer prints but it’s easier to step inside the wheel ruts of an ATV. I read new promise in the strengthening light. Grouse … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Aldo Leopold, community, environmental law, headwaters, nature, place, poetry, politics, preservation, prose, small streams, winter spring, writing | 22 Comments

Where the Owl Lives

Posted on February 6, 2020

The gentle snowstorm slowed my uphill walk. The wet, accumulating snow felt cool but comfortable. The whiteness was a blanket for a dark interior, a surface for the place where the owl lived high on Dryden Hill. The snow accentuated … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birds, environment, hiking, hill country, nature, owls, poetry, power, preservation, prose narrative, snow, trees, Walt Franklin, writing | 16 Comments

Winter Woods

Posted on January 29, 2020

Mild temperatures following a fresh deposit of snow provided all the inspiration needed for a hill walk. Grabbing my walking stick, I left the house and climbed slowly through the woods. I paused at an old abandoned car and noted … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged forestry, hiking, history, invasives, landscape, nature, poetry, rambling, science, trees, winter woods, writing | 19 Comments