fish hook in loon photo

[Lin]

I was cruising through the gallery and saw a photo posted by n_ishak. It's a loon photo that shows a fishhook lodged on the side of it's mouth. I asked under the photo if they had let the loon center know about this and the area where the photo was shot. After thinking about it I decided to post it here. If this is a recent shot, and anyone knows the location of the loon, it should be reported to the center so they can seek the bird and try to remove the hook. While fishing around islands in Moultonborough this year we seemed to have picked up an extradoinary amount of loose stray hooks hanging off the vegetation or lures caught via long snapped filament line on snags below the water. I know it's frustrating to catch a lure or hook and have the line snap but it's also careless not to try to retrieve it. Either fish or humans can later get caught up with them.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/509/medium/IMG_8882_copy.jpg

[ITD]

I was cruising through the gallery and saw a photo posted by n_ishak. It's a loon photo that shows a fishhook lodged on the side of it's mouth. I asked under the photo if they had let the loon center know about this and the area where the photo was shot. After thinking about it I decided to post it here. If this is a recent shot, and anyone knows the location of the loon, it should be reported to the center so they can seek the bird and try to remove the hook. While fishing around islands in Moultonborough this year we seemed to have picked up an extradoinary amount of loose stray hooks hanging off the vegetation or lures caught via long snapped filament line on snags below the water. I know it's frustrating to catch a lure or hook and have the line snap but it's also careless not to try to retrieve it. Either fish or humans can later get caught up with them.

Most fish hooks will rust away and dislodge in a matter of weeks, its probably already gone. Retrieving lost hooks most of the time is impossible......

[Island Life]

I know it's frustrating to catch a lure or hook and have the line snap but it's also careless not to try to retrieve it. Either fish or humans can later get caught up with them.

I'm curious to know if you, or other people, dive in after all the hooks and lures you lose? We fish a lot and, sure, we lose a lot of hooks - and, ocassionally, a favorite lure. We try as hard as we can to get them loose but either the line breaks or we just can't dislodge the hook. I've never seen anyone jump in after a hook - do people do this? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[BoulderBronco]

I've never seen anyone jump in after a hook - do people do this? :confused: :confused: :confused:
Actually I have, but not often. I only do it if I am just out on the boat on a nice day with my bathing suit on and fishing half assed.

[LIforrelaxin]

I've never seen anyone jump in after a hook - do people do this? :confused: :confused: :confused:

I have a little hot bed of fishing heaven in front of my place, and have seen many a fisherman just cut thier line when they snag on the bottom. Now I am not neccesarily saying it wrong because most of them say something if I am around, and expecially if they see me in the water. And hey I can't blame them, if it was early spring wtih fridged water I would do the same thing. The big question is what can be done....

Well when I am in swiming I put on my mask a couple times a summer and go over to the area where the snags happen, dive down and get any of the hooks an lures I find, sometimes I get none, sometimes 4 or 5. It gives me something to do. In short I say this, if you notice something grab it if you can.... and if it is in a place where it might cause an issue (off the end of a dock or around an identifable swiming area,) let someone know....

[Lin]

Well when I am in swiming I put on my mask a couple times a summer and go over to the area where the snags happen, dive down and get any of the hooks an lures I find, sometimes I get none, sometimes 4 or 5. It gives me something to do. In short I say this, if you notice something grab it if you can.... and if it is in a place where it might cause an issue (off the end of a dock or around an identifable swiming area,) let someone know....

That's basically what we do. We usually fish out of a canoe which makes it easier to find the other end of the line. I'd have to say we get about 90% of our lost hooks/lures. If anyone has fished around the islands just south of Green's they'd know what kind of snags, milfoil and other aquatic hazards exist. Many of the lures hooks we get though are just hanging from the branches along the shoreline. It's just a matter of responsibility to your environment.

[Grant]

I retrieve all hooks and lures surrounding our property -- whether they're mine or not. Most can be retrieved with a mask and snorkel, but I do find a number of lures and hooks in deeper water with the scuba gear on.

But I digress...and must share a disturbing event from a few years ago.

We do a lot of fishing right off our dock -- it's always been a great place to catch bass, whether top-water fishing in the early morning or evening, or tossing a crawfish on a hook while you're hanging on the dock. One gloomy day about five years ago, I was casting a Carolina rig and watching another line with a crawfish. The crawfish line suddenly went tight and started running fast. I put down the other rod, picked up the running rod, and waited for it to slow down before setting the hook. Before I got a chance to set the hook, a large adult loon surfaced -- just a few yards in front of the dock -- obviously in great distress. Shaking it head violently and flapping its wings, the loon started moving out toward open water. It was then that I realized that the loon had plucked my bait from the bottom, and now had a hook in its mouth or throat.

Fearing what damage the monofilament line could do to the bird (let alone the hook), I pulled as much of the line as possible by hand, and then snapped it -- realizing that the rest would be pulled away with the loon (creating a real threat of entanglement). The loon kept shaking its head and flapping its wings and moving further away - quickly. I followed in the canoe for about a half mile, until it submerged, and later saw it surface about 50 yards further...still in distress. I contacted Fish & Game and told them the entire story, in case they came across the bird.

The moral of the story: If you see a loon nearby, bring in your fishing line. We are downright paranoid about it now -- and will crank in any bait or lure immediately if a loon is spotted within 100 yards. They move quickly and are keen hunters. A nice fat crawfish on the bottom is like a winning lottery ticket for a loon on the prowl. Don't injure or kill one like I did.

It still bothers me a great deal. In hindsight, I suppose I should've tried to bring the bird to the dock, restrain it, and then take it to a vet. But a bird that size is hard to contain, and it was in such distress that I probably would've killed it in the process.

Sorry for the long post, but that photo brought home a really disturbing chapter & lesson learned.

[SIKSUKR]

Sad story Grant.That would bother me as well if I had hooked a loon.I had the same thing happen deep sea fishing once but the bird we caught was a seagull.I didn't feel as bad for the gull but that's probably not right.

[Grant]

Yeah, definitely a bummer. I've always been a big loon advocate -- we've had several designated nesting areas near our place, and have been diligent about keeping an eye out for them. So to unknowingly inflict harm (perhaps fatal) on this loon was very disturbing. However, we did learn a valuable lesson, and it will not happen again.

And to think that, for a few seconds, I thought I had the bass of a lifetime on that line...

[MomCat]

Please be aware that fishing LINE is just as serious a problem as the hooks. Loons can easily become entangled in line that has been broken or cut because of an underwater snag. If at all possible, find a way to remove as much of the line as you can, even if you have to leave the snagged hook/lure behind. We snorkel often on our small lake, which has many "visiting" loons, and we are amazed at the number of lures and yards of line we find (and remove)--not to mention beer cans and other debris left by pigs who presume to call themselves boaters and fishermen. And, yes, I've gone in to remove my own line when necessary.

Grant, you did the best you could under the circumstances, so please don't beat yourself up over that event. I have followed many of your posts and know that you are one of the most conscientious and concerned advocates for our lakes. One of the best things loon lovers can do is join the Loon Preservation Committee <www.loon.org>. Dues and donations make possible the work they do to save our loons and their habitats--from rescuing injured birds to promoting legislation, conducting research, and educating the public.

BTW, although this is my first post, I have been a daily visitor to the Forum for many years and feel as though I know some of you already. I continue to be impressed and moved by the comments from this group of people who care so deeply for our beautiful Lakes Region--and for each other. Besides General Discussion, I especially enjoy the Restaurant Reviews--including the banter AND the debates!--and the Home/Cottage/Land Maintenance info has been really helpful (finding contractors, etc.) Now that I've "gotten my feet wet" as a poster, I hope to continue to join in the discussions and not simply stand on the sidelines observing.

[Pineedles]

Momcat. I think Grant knows about the dangers of monofilament to wildlife: Fearing what damage the monofilament line could do to the bird (let alone the hook), I pulled as much of the line as possible by hand, and then snapped it -- realizing that the rest would be pulled away with the loon (creating a real threat of entanglement).

So, welcome to the fray. Please express your opinion openly and don't be afeared of some of us who don't agree. Moi? Never! I love the loons, but I never confuse human life with other wildlife. :D

[jrc]

When I snag a hook, I always pull the line until it breaks versus cutting it. It almost always breaks at the hook, you can usually see the remains of the knot at the end of the line. After this you have to cut off the over streched section of line and trash it, but at least it's not in the water. Of course you have to be careful, you can break the rod or the hook can unsnag and fly at you.

[gtxrider]

When my nephews were little I would fish with them from the docks at Sandy Point. Well one day the younger one was fishing with worms for sunnys and a small duck dove down and took his bait. After a long fight I was able to grab the little duck, but it has swallowed the hook. I did not see alot of blood so I cut the line and let the duck go. Never knew what happened to the duck after that but I hope it survived.

[MomCat]

Thanks, Pineedles--I appreciate the words of welcome. Yes, I saw that Grant is certainly well informed and wildlife-friendly. My comments were directed at no one in particular, just anyone visiting the Forum who may not realize the potential consequences of lost fishing line. And, jrc, you make a good point indeed about exercising care to avoid the perils of a flying fish hook! :eek:

[Grant]

Momcat. I think Grant knows about the dangers of monofilament to wildlife:

So, welcome to the fray. Please express your opinion openly and don't be afeared of some of us who don't agree. Moi? Never! I love the loons, but I never confuse human life with other wildlife. :D

Pineedles...you and me...we got something in common, based on yer avatar. Hey now.

[secondcurve]

Can someone tell me what the status of the loon population is on Winnipesaukee as compared to prior years? My unscientific observations tell me that the population appears to be doing well, but I'd be curious to hear from more informed posters. Thanks.

[LIforrelaxin]

Can someone tell me what the status of the loon population is on Winnipesaukee as compared to prior years? My unscientific observations tell me that the population appears to be doing well, but I'd be curious to hear from more informed posters. Thanks.

Well I have no data but what I can tell you is on the northern part of the lake, I saw Many loons this year. It was not uncommon to take a ride and see loons in 2 or 3 diferent locations while I putted around the islands. And this year I kept getting visited by two different pairs of loons off the end of my dock. And at night that unmastakable cry has been very plentiful... So I would tend to think they are starting to make a strong come back.

Now with that said I have a concern. Everyone has been so concerned with the loons, and they have gotten excellent protection. However I wonder if this protection has come at a cost. I have noticed this past summer that the loons I encountered showed absolutly no fear. I was swiming and one pair of loons came within 15 feet or so of me.....my back was to them until a friend told me to turn around...I couldn't believe how close they were. They had no fear of humans..... Have loons always been so bold?

[Pineedles]

"IKO IKO" Jokomo feeno ah na nay! :)