Fishing Lessons at Dawn
I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time one morning this week.
I set out early with my Border Collie, just as the sun was peeking over the eastern horizon with a red glow that lit up the sky. We wound our way down to the river and ended up in Bissell Park, as we often do. We circled the park enjoying the sites, sounds and solitude that is best experienced at that time of day. We strolled down the boardwalk along the Grand River listening to the steady flow of water rushing over the falls. Then I spotted him. He was standing knee deep in the churning water just below the falls. His grace and skill were evident as he scanned the murky water for any signs of the fish he was seeking. My fishing experience is limited to my younger years, so watching this seasoned professional as he stepped carefully on the uneven riverbed was something to behold. There was a grace in his effortless fluid motions that made it look like he could do this all day long. His success rate was amazing and I found myself just standing and staring at this spectacle. I believe this section of the Grand is a “catch and release” area but this expert kept every one that he pulled from the river, but I don’t think anyone is going to arrest this fellow. The reason, you see, is that my teacher on that particular morning was a Great Blue Heron. His tall lean body, keen eye and rapid reflexes made the art of fishing a beautiful thing. It was hard to pull myself away because it was a perfect example of nature in motion. It demonstrated to me that the cycle of life is alive and well in our back yards here in Centre Wellington. As we climbed out of the park and crossed the steel footbridge above the falls, I looked down to see him snatch one more good sized fish, flip it in the air and swallow it head first in one smooth motion.
If you are interested in taking a fishing lesson of your own, my quiet unassuming teacher puts on a clinic several mornings a week, you just need to kick off the covers, pull on your running shoes and head down to the Grand. See you there.
Barry McKay
Elora, Ont.
Barry McKay