WHEN PERFECT STRANGERS CONNECT ON THE VALUES OF CONSERVATION By: Robert Pye
“Any luck?” The question was clear but a visual on whomever asked it was not. In mid-retrieve, my spinner bait lost momentum when I paused to reply in the direction of the inquiry. I knew it came from the cottage that was set back from a vegetated shoreland and in the early morning shade. “Only little ones so far,” I said, keeping my vibe elusive yet positive. On the water, that’s my signature response to help protect my fishing pride, and my fishing spots. However, judging by the tone, I gathered the question wasn’t fishing for free advice, rather simply casting out a friendly greeting. I took the bait.
as the riparian zone, to support wildlife, prevent erosion and reduce runoff that could threaten the overall health of waterways, including critical shoreline fish habitat. After getting comfortable with the conservation theme of our discussion, I admitted that I caught, and released, more than “only little ones” that morning. In fact, I said, “I hooked into a couple of lunkers over a productive weed line out there, which I realize now is being protected in part by the great stewardship of lake volunteers like you.”
With a quiet spin and thrust of the electric motor, I calmly navigated myself a few cast lengths closer to the property owner’s natural edge. Now I could see the man, or at least his face behind a steaming cup of coffee and a newspaper. He put both down for a chat that will forever shape my appreciation for people who take environmental pride in the waterfront they own, and the lakes that so many others have an opportunity to enjoy. Our exchange was one of shared observations about how the lake has dramatically changed as a result of invasive species, erosion, harmful blue-green algae blooms, and the increase in shoreline developments – the latter of which have, on some shores, replaced native plant and tree species with the kind of manicured lawns you expect to see in subdivisions.
LAKE LEADERSHIP
So, to answer his original question, good fishing is never a measure of luck, rather a focus on habitat. It’s almost always the result of community volunteers who support shoreland restoration, freshwater stewardship and education, as well as the kinds of local fish habitat projects that are happening these days thanks to organizations such
Not the case for the property I was Fish Habitat Restoration floating in front of however. Instead Work In Progress it is a brilliant example of how a shoreland can be as recreational as it is eco-functional, not to mention as Watersheds Canada. stunningly aesthetic. It was no surprise then when I learned that I was speaking with a volunteer from the local lake association. FOCUS ON FISH HABITAT I told him I only fished this particular lake a few times a year, and I had no idea how hard his fellow volunteers were working While angling is not in our organization’s name, it’s in the on citizen science efforts like Love Your Lake, and the highly passion of many of our supporters who promote healthy acclaimed shoreland restoration program called The Natural lakes and rivers through the programs already mentioned. Edge. We agreed that our lakes need the ribbon of life, known (Continued on page 41.) Just Fishing . 40
Fall 2023
