The UnGuided: March 2008

THIS AINT NO FISH STORY

There I was, there I was, in the CONGO! or on the stream side! Yep, I checked the forecast on Monday, determined to get my fish on this week and Thursday was THE day! 70 and sunny in the NC mtns. Although things at work went to Hades in a handbasket (more on that later), I kept my priorities straight and at noon, I hit the door running. For the first time ever I decided to take a k-9 companion, so I loaded up my Dunstan Retriever (more on her later) and my fly rod and MY NEW VEST THING!!! and headed for North Harpers Creek- a favorite local haunt. Two hours to streamside, including a mile walk in those lovable but not so breathable waders. Of course that's nothing for a mule in waders! If only the fish were as excited as I was. Water was a little low from the drought, but clear as grade A moonshine.

I tied on a big orange attractor, no telling what you got to do early season. One funny thing, I needed a leader so I stopped at the Kmart in Morganton but much to my surprise, they didn't have any leaders, so I bought s little spool of 6 lb test and made my own 7 ft none tapered leader and it worked great- why do we buy tapered leaders? Any who, it was business as usual, lots of casts, no sign of fish. Then an amazing thing happened. My Dunstan pup, Lil Ann, was staying pretty close and not getting in the water unless she had to. As I was moving up the creek, I looked back and there she was on a rock in the middle of the stream frozen like a statue. I yelled back at her to come on, but she didn't budge. I yelled again and she just held her spot. Finally in frustration I headed back toward her and as I got closer, I realized that she was locked down on a hard point. Now I was really curious so I stalked up the last few feet and there in the current right in front of her was a 12" brown trout! I could not believe my eyes! She was pointing a trout! Unbelievable. For those of you who are not familiar with the Dunstan Retriever, they hail from the South Island of New Zealand, a trout haven of course- but I had no idea that her pointing instincts would translate to fish! What a dog. However, knowing my skeptical and ignorant compadres, I quickly dropped my rod and gave her a gentle "whoa" command, encouraging her to hold the point. I scrambled into by vest and pulled out my camera and captured what has to be the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.

After I snapped the picture I stealthily eased into position to cast to brown. Unfortunately my rustiness and being distracted by the dog (I've never cast to fish that was being pointed) caused me to slap my cast down on his head and he bolted. Lil Ann was in hot pursuit, but alas, even a spirited Dunstan is no match for brown trout in a swift mountain stream. As the brownie darted down stream, Lil Ann turned and gave me a look of, "have you never caught a fish before?". So, I guess I'll have to wait until next time to see if the Dunstan can retrieve a fish as well as it points it!