BC Hunt Club Goes North

Well a few members of the BC Hunt Club made their yearly trip up north to Big Jims island for our traditional "Opening of Bass season/ Fathers day" celebration. This year we had a couple of members join us on this trip for the first time. Robert and Mason Thompson joined us and along with Big Jim gave us a fishing lesson. To the right of the dock is the old run about boat with a my 8hp motor that they used. To the left is Jims "Yellow Bananna" boat, as Mason called it, with a 40hp motor and trolling motor that I and Bob Henderson used to do our fishing. You will notice which group had the best fishing luck.

That smile on Mason's face was plastered there the entire weekend. He was a fishing fool the entire time running from the dock, to the point, standing in the boat, and in general casting his line constantly. I've never seen a kid take to fishing like Mason has. The feaver must have been hot because the third day after they returned, yesterday, Robert showed up at home with a new fishing boat in tow. Looks like Jim has gotten another family on the way to the poor house with the fishing feaver.

Other new members are John Casper, who worked with Jim and I for many years, along with his son Jessie and, soon to be, son in law Brian (no shirt) that came along for the festivities. While they didn't catch as many fish they did have some quality ones, as you can see.

Don't worry none of these fish were returned to the river harmed from being out of the water to long, in fact they wern't returned at all but rather they were the guest of honor at dinner Saturday night.

Kevin and his buddy Nate also caught a few good fish along with a nice Northern Pike to add to the dinner fare.

Oh well a good time was had by all and it was a lot of fun to watch. I for one will enjoy the memories of this fathers day for many years to come. Thanks to Jim for a great weekend, Mother Nature and God for the outstanding weather and fishing luck, Mason for making me laugh so much, Robert for being the great father to Mason that he is and the way he has raised him to listen to and obey adults , John and his gang for helping with the cooking and cleaning, and especially to my son Kevin for letting me be his Dad and enjoy experiances like this!

Cayuga Lake Trout

Father's day weekend fishing outing. Caught off of Long Point, George Havelin Captain. Three landlocked salmon were also boated. Tasty on the Weber.

Progress

City-living plus kids plus soccer coaching plus Sunday school plus all the rest has equalled little time to get Stella out for formal training. She gets walked a lot, which means she's okay on leash. She's pretty good with land retrieves, despite her catch as catch can training regime.

Today was a small breakthrough.

Took the wife, kids and dog to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chapter of the Izaak Walton League (I joined recently) to muck around and have a picnic near the trout pond. Lots of thick, tall grass growing around the pond. Stella dove right into the grass, charging through and tumbling out - splash - into the pond on the other side. She didn't get in over her head and, unfazed, climbed back out then charged back into the grass, rolling, bounding and happily goofing off.

Karin grabbed the retrieving dummy and tossed it into the grass near the water's edge. Stella retrieved without a problem. Karin threw the dummy into the water near-shore. Stella with a bit of hesitation picked it out of the water and brought it back without getting her tummy wet. The kids gave it a go, keeping the dummy in the shallow water, Stella continuing to bring it back. Karin and I looked at one another and I said, "I can always strip down and take a dip and get the dummy if Stella refuses." Karin throws the dummy 10 yards out into the pond. Stella runs to the pond edge, refuses to go further.

I grumpily tell Karin I was joking about going in to get the dummy.

Stella starts getting agitated, running back and forth across the shallows, taking a few steps into the water and coming back - Karin, the kids and I giving her encouragement throughout. Stella, staring down that dummy, works her way deeper and deeper again. Finally she's swimming for the first time in her life. It's clear she's not thinking about swimming, she's focused on getting that damn dummy. Out she goes, not graceful but with purpose nonetheless. She grabs the dummy first try, makes a turn in the water and comes back, comes out and brings the dummy to hand. Karin, the kids and I are jumping with joy, giving her attention and big wet hugs.

We all take turns throwing the dummy farther and farther out, with Stella gaining poise with every retrieve. Over the course of 10 minutes, her swimming improved noticeably. After each retrieve she would turn around and sit facing the water, waiting for the next throw.

Breeding told us Stella would love the water. Breeding told us Stella would retrieve from water. In theory.

Today Stella showed us some of her stuff, and I'm looking forward to seeing more

Canoga Marsh Restoration Tour and Work Party

Canoga Marsh Restoration Tour and Work Party, Sat., June 2, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come for as long as you can. Meet across from 3208 Route 89, Fayette

Tour starts at 10:00 a.m. followed by an all day work party. Plant shrubs, transport cattails, clean up Canoga Creek, rip out invasive roses and put up nesting boxes as part of an extensive wetlands restoration project in Canoga Marsh. These habitat improvements complement the newly dug vernal pool and wetland potholes and make the habitat even better for waterfowl, frogs and salamanders. Vernal Pools have been described as “wicked big puddles”. These small, temporary wetlands are typically wet on a seasonal basis. Spotted Salamanders, Wood Frogs, and many other amphibians depend on these pools as breeding sites and rarely entrust their larvae anywhere else. As well as provide unique, fish-free habitat, vernal pools provide the benefits of all wetland --- reducing flooding and purifying the water that passes through them.

Dress in rugged clothes. Bring work gloves and a shovel if you have them. Some gloves and tools will be available. If working in the wetland appeals to you, bring tall boots or waders. Come for any part of the day. Please estimate when you expect to be helping when you register at 607-532-4104 or manager@cayugalake.org.