And the second rule of Duck Club is: DON'T WALK IN THE HIGH TIDE MARSH WHERE YOU DON'T SEE GRASS.
Picking up decoys, stepped right off the edge, slid down the mud bank, and over the tops of the waders. It would not have been so embarrassing if, 2 hours earlier while setting decoys with the grass was high and dry, I had not pointed out to my partner that at high tide it would look like we could walk right across, but as long as we only walked where we could see grass above the water we'd be fine. First thing out of his mouth: "Hey, isn't that where you told me not to walk?"
I give thanks today that the temp was in the mid 40's, so it was uncomfortable, not dangerous.
Gorgeous pair of black ducks sailed into the decoys 3 minutes before legal, backlit by the pale orange sky. Five mallards came in 10 minutes later, sailed over the decoys and landed 60 yards to our right. Other than my attempted swim, and a pile of buffleheads that was our morning for ducks.
We did have some great wildlife watching. We saw sea-run rainbow smelt around the boat launch in the light from our headlamps. They head up the estuaries this time of year, then spawn in early spring. From our blind we watched seals splashing along the shore all morning. We didn't realize what was going on until we were pulling the boat and watched a pair of seals--a mother and this year's pup, I think, as one was much larger than the other--chasing the smelt across the bait launch. I confess that in a moment of weakness we discussed whose house was closer to grab a fly rod and some baitfish patterns, because it looked for all the world like brook trout or landlocked salmon pushing freshwater smelts, with bait scattering ahead of the seals as they made sharp turns to herd the smelts into structure where they could not get away. Wish we could have gotten video. I never would have figured seals would focus on a 3-4" baitfish. Must take a lot to make a meal.
BTW, for those looking for good holiday reading for themselves or for gifts, may I recommend Randy Wayne White. Both his non-fiction and his Florida-based mysteries are well-written and enjoyable. I didn't realize this when I started this last week, but the "Rules of Duck Club" concept is stolen from his "How to Be a Competent Southern Water Person", which I think is one of the funniest things I ever read about boats. I will defer to the competent southern waterpersons among you to tell me if he got it right.
I guarantee folks here will like "This Dog is Legend". Both can be found in "Batfishing in the Rainforest", his first non-fiction book, soon to be on Black Friday sale somewhere.
Happy Thanksgiving! I've got a bird to roast.
Picking up decoys, stepped right off the edge, slid down the mud bank, and over the tops of the waders. It would not have been so embarrassing if, 2 hours earlier while setting decoys with the grass was high and dry, I had not pointed out to my partner that at high tide it would look like we could walk right across, but as long as we only walked where we could see grass above the water we'd be fine. First thing out of his mouth: "Hey, isn't that where you told me not to walk?"
I give thanks today that the temp was in the mid 40's, so it was uncomfortable, not dangerous.
Gorgeous pair of black ducks sailed into the decoys 3 minutes before legal, backlit by the pale orange sky. Five mallards came in 10 minutes later, sailed over the decoys and landed 60 yards to our right. Other than my attempted swim, and a pile of buffleheads that was our morning for ducks.
We did have some great wildlife watching. We saw sea-run rainbow smelt around the boat launch in the light from our headlamps. They head up the estuaries this time of year, then spawn in early spring. From our blind we watched seals splashing along the shore all morning. We didn't realize what was going on until we were pulling the boat and watched a pair of seals--a mother and this year's pup, I think, as one was much larger than the other--chasing the smelt across the bait launch. I confess that in a moment of weakness we discussed whose house was closer to grab a fly rod and some baitfish patterns, because it looked for all the world like brook trout or landlocked salmon pushing freshwater smelts, with bait scattering ahead of the seals as they made sharp turns to herd the smelts into structure where they could not get away. Wish we could have gotten video. I never would have figured seals would focus on a 3-4" baitfish. Must take a lot to make a meal.
BTW, for those looking for good holiday reading for themselves or for gifts, may I recommend Randy Wayne White. Both his non-fiction and his Florida-based mysteries are well-written and enjoyable. I didn't realize this when I started this last week, but the "Rules of Duck Club" concept is stolen from his "How to Be a Competent Southern Water Person", which I think is one of the funniest things I ever read about boats. I will defer to the competent southern waterpersons among you to tell me if he got it right.
I guarantee folks here will like "This Dog is Legend". Both can be found in "Batfishing in the Rainforest", his first non-fiction book, soon to be on Black Friday sale somewhere.
Happy Thanksgiving! I've got a bird to roast.
