Here at Man Versus Fish, we understand that there are many ways and means to use a body of water. In fact we totally get that, and condone it. From camping to boating, hiking and a little family fun time, to us, it’s all good.
Except when people are disrespectful.
This month, we award the prestigious Pond Scum Of The Month to Nonfisheramicus Canine Nonleashicus, or NCN for short.
This species of Pond Scum seems innocent enough, until your chest deep in a river trying to zero in on some finicky brown trout, then, they become rather annoying.
Let’s take a closer look at this annoying species.
Identifying Traits
NCN will commonly be found on the shore of a body of water, with a dog attached to it. Sure, this body of water will have a leash law in place, but don’t trouble NCN with that nonsense—it can’t possibly apply to his dog!
In my most recent trip fishing the Chattahoochee River, I had several run ins with NCN. Most specifically, I had run ins with his Labrador Retriever. I was chest deep, getting locked into a pool that had some good fish in it, and this big, dumb lovable character named sport decided he would swim in and say, “Hi!”
After a brief introduction, he quickly ascertained that I needed to be cooled off, and helped me do just that.
If once wasn’t enough, I ran into NCN twice more on that same trip! I don’t know if I have some dog whisperer powers that I am currently unaware of, but I became a dog magnet that day.
What To Do If You See NCN
Well, I actually don’t have a great plan for this just yet. I am considering putting a little bacon in my fly vest, that I could throw as a decoy should I see NCN coming next time.
If you have any better ideas, we would love to hear about them.
For now, let’s just make an agreement that we will be respectful of all posted regulations, and of anyone enjoying the water for any reason. I don’t throw my fly line at you when you walk by, the least you could do is bring a leash!
See ya on the water…