By Jim Mize
A couple days ago, I fished with a Lab. No, not as bait; he went with me. Dogs and fishing go together like donuts and dieters; you know better, but you do it anyway.
Most people think of dogs as hunting companions rather than fishing partners. Maybe that’s because dogs can’t back a trailer, or, at least, the cost of teaching them that trick can be excessive. Also, when hunting, dogs have a specific role; namely, they go get what you shot. It makes you wonder if when you take your dog fishing, you should at least take turns reeling in the fish.
Every dog does something different on fishing trips. Some run around the boat constantly keeping an eye on things. Others fall asleep in a warm spot. Mine sits and keeps looking at me expectantly with an expression that says, “So, when you gonna catch something?” He can be impatient at times.
Fishing with a dog in a boat can be simple enough, but fishing streams with a dog can take some planning. For example, if you’re waist-deep in a stream, you either have to train your dog to sit on the bank or he will be doing a lot of dog paddling. Which is good for the exercise, but at some point he gets tired and tries to climb into your waders.
But there are a lot of good reasons to take your dog fishing. For example, if you have a dog along, you can shoot some good photos even when you catch no fish. This might explain why I have a lot of dog photos. Another reason to bring a dog is to have a witness who won’t talk. There’s something nice about holding up a fish and not being challenged about your guess of its weight or length, or who later corrects your story.
Dogs also make good company to and from the river. They tend to like the same music as you, or at least, don’t ask you to change the station. Also, whenever you decide to fish is fine with them. They’re just happy to go. I mean, when was the last time your fishing buddy rolled the window down and stuck his head out? Besides that one time when he was hungover.
It’s easy to spot the vehicle that goes with a fishing dog. It’s not the hair on the seats or the mud in the carpet that gives it away. It’s the drool on the windows. I don’t know what my truck windows taste like, but I guarantee my Lab does.
In fact, after watching my Lab over the years, I’ve concluded he only has two moods: happy and asleep. Even when he barks at something he seems to enjoy it. On the other hand, dogs have a few habits that can make fishing with them difficult. A problem with retrievers, for instance, is that they retrieve. And it’s hard to get mad at them when they do. On our last trip, we hit the trifecta with a shoe, a dead snake, and a dirty diaper. The most irritating part is that normally I would have caught the shoe.
Also, dogs would tell on you if they could talk. They can’t even get away with the things they did. For example, if the leg gets chewed off a chair or you see teeth marks in a fine bamboo fly rod, everyone suspects the dog. Sure, he probably did it, but where’s the “innocent until proven guilty” principle now? Another dog habit that’s annoying is that a wet dog can’t help but shake. It’s his way of saying, “Hey y’all, watch this! “I wonder if wet dogs shake when there’s no one else there. It’s a lot like that philosophical question about a tree falling in the woods and whether it made a sound. Just for the record, when that tree fell, my dog was nowhere near it. Honest.
Another thing about fishing dogs is that they tend to ride home wet. This is an inevitable conclusion to the trip. A wet dog. And wet dogs have their own unique smell, widely known as “wet dog smell.” Let me tell you, as cute as puppies are, if this were a good smell the leading perfume in the world would be “Eau de Wet Dog” with a soggy puppy on the front of the bottle. But instead, you get an odor that lingers even after the water is gone. Or maybe it was that dirty-diaper retrieve.
One thing dogs don’t understand, however, is catch-and-release. If you want to irritate your dog, show him a fish and let it go. All along, he thought it was going to be his. Otherwise, what’s he there for? I have heard of dogs that will stick their heads underwater and grab fish. I’m not sure I want one of those. I mean, who wants to get beat fishing by their dog? Not only that, but how long before he starts fishing without me? And does he expect me to sit quietly for one of his fish tales?
If you’re a single fisherman, I will share a secret. Girls dig dogs. This helps a lot if you’ve been fishing for a week and are grungier than a fire pit. But not everyone is a dog person. And my dog seems to like them best, or at least, jump on them the most. Maybe that’s why they don’t like dogs.
Also, a few other people may not appreciate your dog. For example, if you stumble upon a bunch of skinny-dippers and your dog retrieves a few items to see if they are yours, you won’t necessarily be rewarded even if you bring them back. Some people are funny that way.
The good news is that dogs can do a lot of things wrong and get away with them. That’s something I could never pull off. For example, my Lab can track mud anywhere and with one big grin he’s forgiven. I need to learn that grin.
All in all, dogs can make entertaining fishing companions. The only advice I’d offer is that should your dog stumble upon some skinny-dippers, teach him to bring back something besides their shoes.
“Fishing With Dogs” is an excerpt from Jim’s award-winning book, A Creek Trickles Through It. You can find the book online or order autographed copies at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com. Email: jimmize1@cs.com
Award-Winning Book of Fly-Fishing Humor
Award-winning author, Jim Mize, has written a humorous book specifically for fly fishermen. Titled, A Creek Trickles Through It, this collection delves into such topics as carnivorous trees, persnickety trout, and the dangers of fly-tying. This book was awarded first place in the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association’s Excellence in Craft competition. Whether you are an arm-chair fisherman or one with well-earned leaky waders, it will be a welcome addition to your fishing library.
Jim has received over one hundred Excellence-In-Craft awards including one for each of his other books including The Winter of Our Discount Tent, Fishing With Beanpole, Hunting With Beanpole, and The Jon Boat Years. His articles have appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, as well as many conservation publications. You may order copies through Amazon or get autographed copies from his website at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com