Fishing Line Left Around the Lake--Nasty Stuff

[LBM]

While fishing this morning an owl was observed sitting in a low tree by the waters edge over some water willows. At first glance it appeared to be contentedly sitting there observing our fishing efforts. On second glance something seemed out of place with a wing (that almost looked like a branch) that seemed to be protrudeing at 90 deg from the body of the owl.

We trolled over to the shore close enough to take a couple of pictures and realized the owl was tangled up in fishing line in the branches and unable to leave.

Not knowing how long it had been there I figured that if I was able to get it free it wouldn't be able to make it and secondly just how agitated would it be with me if I got close enough to actually untangle it.

I was able to force the trolling motor into the water willows and get close enough to grab hold of the outer limb the owl was sitting on. It loudly clicked its beak at me and tried to back up on the limb to evade me. I was able to cut the line wrapped around the branch above the bird, which immediately freed it up. It paused on the branch then flew back into another tree seemingly ok.

With the attached picture you can see the line on the branch above the bird. Sure hope it makes it.

[wannalearn]

U bring a camera with you all the time, don't u.. LOL...
Which lake was that at ?

[Shellback]

That was a heck of a Good Deed For The Day! Nice work!

[LBM]

Yes Wanalearn I usually have the camera with me all the time.

My collection of 'lake sunrise pictures' exceeds my collection of 'big fish pictures'. :D

The lake was Louisburg - Middlecreek a nice little serene 280 acre state fishing lake. No recreational boating and noisy lake lice to contend with. Sometimes my own private lake.

[Scales]

[Great Job, LBM---I saw somewhat of the same thing a couple of years ago on Jordan Lake near Raleigh except this was an Osprey that was hanging upside down from his nest by some fishing line he had become entangled with. The Game Warden had to be called and he was able to shoot through the line and the Osprey fell in the lake where he was rescued and taken to a local rapture center. The sad thing about the fishing line in the water is that we fishermen can't blame this on the ski boats and jet ski's. It's usually someone that calls themselves a fisherman that throws the line overboard. Never quite understood why someone would do that... By the way, the Osprey survived and was released again. Good fishing to ya!

[Kenny]

Atta boy LBM!!

[fiddlefarter]

Thats a good thing you did and I'm sure the owl was wishin' he would have been nicer to you after gettin' loose. I never throw line in the water and if I hang some or see some and get a hold of it I put it in a bag I have in the boat. Time and money spent putting new seals in my lower unit made me realize how bad that stuff is. Had friends that burnt up some trolling motors on it too. Not to mention what it'll do to a bird.

[stripmine1]

that was a great thing to do. We true sportsmen say thank you. i just don't get why some folks can't see that sacks from the grocery store are prefect to take with you on any outting, their free and small, and it is so little trouble to put your trash of all kinds in and toss properly at the end of the day

[Ranger375]

Blessed be LBM
It amazes me how little time it takes to not leave line or throw it overboard until you look at places where some bank fishing people ( note not calling them fisherpersons)have been and trash all over the place. Never can understand how they can carry it in but can't find any way to carry out to trash barrell about 50 feet away.

LBM your account for blessing from owl-dom has gone up. Now if your account with crappie would go up maybe you could even out pictures of sunrise and crapppie catches could become more balanced.

Good job and great picture.

[Crappie Chatt]

:D Good job Lee!!!! How about posting some of those sunrises? The ones you sent me are outstanding. I showed one this morning to a friend and his responce was "I want to be there"! I'll be out at Melvern tomorrow, watching the sunrise, with Catdaddy. I don't think we'll be hard to find with all the laughter and jet boat noise! Heh! Heh! Heh! <*)}}}><