Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 9 - Flipbook - Page 24
Duke tentatively jumped up to the
bow of my Thunderbird, looking
intently at the water passing by as
we trolled along. “Oh boy,” I said to
my wife Joann, “he looks like he is
thinking about going for a swim.”
Muscles tensing, Duke fulfilled
my prediction and splashed into
the cool spring waters of Lake
Washington. As the boat traveled
forward, I went to the side, leaned
over, and grabbed the handle on
the back of his life jacket, pulling
him safely back into our boat. He
gave me a look as if to say, “what
did you do that for, I was just
starting to have some fun!” Such
is the life of going fishing with a
dog. JoAnn had always wanted
me to have a dog that I could
take fishing, and Duke, our oneyear-old Springer Spaniel, was just
that dog. Trained for upland bird
hunting, I’d introduced him to
water early and he took to it.
24 | NWFISHING.net
That said, hunting with a dog on
dry ground versus having a dog
on a moving boat are two very
different things. While fishing with
your four-legged best friend can
be a wonderful experience, it does
present some unique challenges
that anglers should be aware of.
much special, or, it can be a huge
headache, and possibly put your
dog in danger. Let’s look at some
basics to think about before you
take your dog out on your boat.
You’ve arrived at the boat launch
and there’s a couple of boats in
line waiting to launch. It’s just you
and your best friend and your
When you decide to bring your
expensive boat waiting to launch.
dog along with you on your boat
Now what do you do? In my
for the first time, it’s important to
opinion, Fido needs to stay safe
think through what is entailed
(pun intended) for your fishing trip. and secure in your rig. Letting your
dog out to run around is a big
First and foremost is – know your
no-no. Other anglers looking to
dog! What kind of training has
launch are not going to be happy
he had? Has he been introduced
with a dog running around, no
to water? Can he swim? Does he
obey your commands? Will he be matter how well-behaved you
a good partner at the boat launch, may think he is. Dogs can be
unpredictable, so keep him in
or a distraction and irritation to
the truck as you go through your
those around you? These are all
routine prep for launching your
important questions to consider
boat. Or, if there is a place you can
before you bring your dog along
leash him up to stay and watch,
for a day of fishing. Having your
out of the way of others, that
best friend along for a day of
would be OK.
fishing can make the day that