Usually when you get up early and make a long drive to go fishing you get an idea on how the fishing will be based on what you see on the drive. If you don’t see much for instance, not a single deer, fishing will likely be lousy. But if you see wildlife on the move, whether it be extra birds, deer grazing in the meadows and perhaps maybe even a road crossing black bear, fishing is often excellent.
Today, Bob Butler, Granny and I saw lots of animal activity on our drive. We expected great things, but to our surprise (defeating all theories), not a single fish stirred. Our normally productive musky lake not only skunked us, but we didn’t see a single fish. No musky, walleye or bass. We packed it in before noon.
But poor angling days can be productive. The trip was worth it for helping this snapping turtle see another day. You know by now I have a fancy for the shelled reptiles. It’s their egg laying season and we see a lot of them. Normally I observe. But this specimen was inching his way out over the white line heading right onto Highway 70. I see far too many squashed turtles in the road. Its heartbreaking and just goes to show how ignorant and blind people can be behind the wheel. Let’s just say, if I didn’t hop out and collect this beauty from a probable death, I would have felt sick the rest of my day. Instead, I took him with us and he was released next to shore on a wilderness lake. Undoubtedly, it will take this turtle a few years to find her next road. I’ll sleep good tonight!
Apart from your love for all living things, Jeff, you are clearly more comfortable handling a snapping turtle than I would be!
Jeff,
Thanks for saving the snapping turtle.
Here in Cary, NC they are being displaced by growth. I always keep an old towel in the trunk to grab a turtle crossing the road – in use about 5 – 12 times a year.
Have a Great and Safe Fourth of July weekend!
Tad
I’m glad to hear some “turtle love” here. Mike, as long as you keep your hands way back mixed with common sense, snappers move slow, and you can generally move them safely before they get all cranky. It’s the spiny softshell turtles that are new to me and are so fast it’s unreal. So far, I’ve not had to pick up a big one, but I’ll be nervous when the time comes. And Tad, I’ll be tossing a towel in the car. Great idea. Mr. Snapper was a bit stinky to be honest and a towel would have been nice!
Preach to everyone to slow down and do a rescue when needed. Turtles are getting severely displaced by growth. Concerningly. Fishing without them around wouldn’t be the same.