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Welcome all who have a message, a short story to write or a comment to leave. 

The Yukon is a fascinating place to live or simply to visit. I invite each of you to share an experience you have had while passing through. The yukon has captured us all at one time or another and this is a place to leave a post telling everyone what yours has been. Allow me to be the first, may you find a smile upon your face as I share something of the past.
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Yukon Duck Fishing55
By "Quill"


 
Do we really have to fly south

Holding out


 
The fight was on
“Yukon Duck Fishing”

It was chilly morning at the far south end Teslin Lake that mid
August morning, there reminders that it was going to be an early fall. There were a few of them that year; waterfowl were starting to gather in larger groups as they prepared for the annual migration.

I had been fishing the area of the lake to the far south near what a place called Father Boyd’s Cabin. There had been a set of Mallard ducks there all summer. The Drake I noticed had been very protective and willingly dive-bombed the canoe several times. On the east side of the lake there was a reed bed that produced lunch sized Lake Trout, so I decided to cast a few times in the general area in hopes of catching one.
This particular day I caught far more than I bargained for as that silly drake decided my spinner bait was fair game. The faster I reeled it in the faster he chased it and you guessed it he took the bait. Now I have caught many a good fighting fish in the Yukon but this full sized duck was a real match. The fight was both on the water and in the air. One might think the fight would be over once landed but let me tell you differently. With tackle flying all over, a barking “Tannis” the fearless Cocker Spaniel at the far end of the canoe and the writer getting beaten severely and very unsure how to bring this whole situation under control. All the while being concerned about the welfare of this crazy duck.

So now that you have the picture I needed to ask myself, what are the regulations on fishing for ducks? Look as hard as you like and there is nothing in the Yukon Fish and Game Act, with the exception of harassing the wildlife. At this point and time it was the ducks word against mine. Judging by the commotion I would say the duck was winning the argument; it was not looking good for me.

Finally I was able to get a coat over “Larry the Duck” as he became known covering his head and seemed to quiet him somewhat. Now how to remove a hook was another lesson to be learned. The wound was not all that bad after I got the hook out. It was the wound that was to be inflicted on me next that I’ am sure was worse. I leaned forward to get a closer look and I suppose Larry had one last chance at revenge, as he must have found a hole to peek out of his prison. His aim was near deadly as he hooked his own fish, grabbing hold of my cheek and left me with a welt as he flapped out of my hands and out of the coat holding him.

The lesson to be learned, check where you are casting as Larry still has a “Cheek to pick” with any fisherman that thinks he can “Duck Fish” especially on his lake. So be fore warned fellow anglers. Larry is likely still at large.

© 2010 "Quill"