"Trying to catch a fish with rod and fly is like trying to catch a bird with string and bread." H.R. Dobson

This is an interesting analogy, put forward by H. R. Dobson as part of our early education in fishing. I always thought it meant that an angler should practice stealth because fish, in particular, Brook Trout are wary creatures. I'm pretty sure that's what was intended, but I have been thinking of other interpretations...

When we were kids we loved to fish off Liverpool's Town Wharf - a massive wooden pier with a blotchy patina of creosote and seagull shit, and always, the stirring bouquet of dried fish guts. With our closed-face spinning reels, fiberglass rods from Canadian Tire, and "Daredevil" lures, we caught Pollock and, sometimes, Mackerel right off the wharf. It was lots of excitement for young boys! Once a fish was caught, we used a jackknife to chunk it up for bait, and hauled Eels and Sculpins up over the dock, as well. Occasionally, a bold Seagull would find itself on the wrong end of a hook, and cause all kinds of commotion.

What if birding were a legal sport like fishing? What if we could get a license to go out and try to catch birds with a rod, a reel and a lure, or bait? We'd have to study the habits of each species, and practice conservation, of course. There would have to be bag limits and seasons. I imagine we'd find pigeons pretty easy-to-fool, sort of like Pollock. People might go on safaris to capture exotic trophy birds like Emus or Condors. We might have to use live bait to capture Peregrine falcons, or to bag a Snowy Owl.

If "birding" were a legal sport like fishing, would you do it?



Photo: Pigeon Eye by David Gifford

Dragons that Fly!

Here is a photo of a dragonfly (Green Darner) that has just been fitted with a tiny radio transmitter by Princeton University professor, Martin Wikelski (left). The scientist was tracking their migratory patterns in a 2005 study funded by National Geographic. Apparently they only fly during the daytime, in a generally southward direction, pausing sometimes for several days when conditions are to their liking. Two consecutive nights of decreasing temperatures will get them moving again.

One day on the Pinware River in Labrador, my brother, Steve, shot some video footage of a large dragonfly circling my head, picking off the blackflies that swarmed there. I joked about wishing it was tethered to my hat, trained to attack insect pests on command. Apparently, using Wikelski's technique, such a thing is possible. He uses Krazy Glue to attach the miniature radio transmitters - so, why not a length of monofilament?

I actually did have a dragonfly on a tether once. It happened like this. I was fishing alone in my canoe on a stretch of the Mersey River known locally as the Kedgie River. This is the section that flows from Kejimkujik National Park to Rossignol Lake. Trout were rising under overhanging trees near the riverbank and I made a beautiful cast with a small dry fly. It doesn't happen often, but this was a perfect presentation. As the line straightened out and the fly began to float down through the air towards the surface of the water, I anticipated a nice Brook Trout coming up to slurp it down.

Instead, something unexpected happened. The fly instantly took a different direction and came crashing down with a splash several feet short of the intended target. Annoyed and perplexed, I stripped in line to cast once more, when to my complete amazement, in slow motion, the fly and leader levitated off the water and up into the air. I kept stripping line and soon I had a clear view of what was going on - a large dragonfly had a death grip on my #14 Adams and was trying to make off with it. He circled the canoe, then dropped it and flew off. The truth - so help me, God!

The Boat on the Medway

Here is a shot of the 12' aluminum boat on our land in Charleston. I've been going there almost every day lately. Today my wife and I were there twice. In the morning, we cleared brush and in the evening we took a boat ride and snapped a few pictures.

As noon approached I noticed a guy in a pontoon boat with a fly rod, fishing the water upstream from us. He told us he hadn't seen any fish. Perhaps dawn or dusk might have been better times for August fishing but he looked like he was just happy to be out on the river on such a fine summer day.


Photo by Random Phrump: Medway River, Nova Scotia.

Here's your hat - what's your hurry?

Over at Steve Dobson's Fisherman's Blog, there is a post or two on the topic of fishing hats. My wife likes to travel and I always have the same request: "Bring me back a hat." Some of the hats she brings me I actually wear. In this case, the "Cool as a Breeze" model from BC Hats (Australia) has become my "go to" hat for fishing, gardening, boating - even mowing the lawn.

Let me tell you what makes it work for me. First, the brim is wide enough to provide a generous oasis of cool shade on a sunny day. Second, the crown is made from a nylon mesh that lets the breezes flow through. Third, it has a soft absorbent cotton "sweat band". Fourth, it is lightweight - made of sturdy canvas, but not as heavy as their leather models. Fifth, the adjustable lanyard keeps it from blowing off when you have an irresistible urge to stick your head out the window of the pickup and holler, "G'day, mate!"

The Original Dobson Clip "Hands Free" Rodholder

Steve's done it again! I hate to brag, but that brother of mine is one smart feller. Years ago, he invented a system that allows a person to control a professional video camera from a wheelchair. He won serious kudos and an industry award for the innovation.

Now he's designed the perfect "hands free" rodholder that attaches to your fishing vest. It allows an angler to change flies, change leaders, or release fish unencumbered by the rod. At the same time the Dobson Clip holds your rod perfectly balanced and positioned for a great catch and release photo. At $14.95 (tax and shipping included) this is a must-have gadget for the serious fly fisher. Check it out at The Original Dobson Clip website.

Photo by Dave Dobson.

"Your true colors... are beautiful like a rainbow." C. Lauper

I have been at Acadia University this week learning about communication, collaboration, and inclusive education. My course is in the morning so that leaves my afternoon or evening free for fishing. There is a small lake only about 15 miles from campus that is stocked annually with rainbow trout - a species not native to Nova Scotia. After looking at a few maps and making some inquiries, I found my way to the shore of the lake and waded out.

I hooked one right away and stripped in line till I had the fish in close, then decided to wind up the slack and play him on the reel. That's when he did some aerobatics and finessed himself a long-distance release. The second fish was much the same. The third and fourth, I managed to bring to hand and release. In thinking about the experience, I love seeing and touching the fish, but I kind of like the LDR - it's a Win-Win situation. The fisherman wins because he fooled the fish into striking his fly, the fish wins, because he escaped from his predicament. The most successful fly was my #8 Rumsey Lake Minnow (3 out of 4 fish) and the other was the magic dry fly - #10 Tom Thumb.

TIP: For summer fishing, when it's too hot for waders, I like to wear shorts and an old pair of sneakers - but running shoes don't dry easily - they stay damp and smelly. I've tried those "river shoes" with the rubber sole and mesh top, which dry in a jiffy, but they don't offer much protection from rocks. This year I stumbled upon a pair of molded rubber clogs at WalMart for only $8 - knock-offs of the popular Crocs brand. I decided to give them a try. They are great - lightweight, comfortable, washable, fast-drying and like a suit of armor for your toes.

"When a man gets to a certain age, he stops looking at women and starts looking at boats." H.R. Dobson

I don't know if I believe the part about "stops looking at women"... I still look at sunsets, plants and birds, and water - things I find beauty in - and yes, the female form is in that category. Maybe I haven't reached that age yet.

Yesterday, I put the boat in the river for the first time since having the patch welded. To my great relief, the floor stayed dry as a bone. The anchor drop, new oars and oarlocks all worked like a charm. At 54" across the beam, she is wide and roomy for a not-quite 12' boat. I think I'm going to like her.


Photo by Random Phrump: Medway River, Nova Scotia.