I've been taking my two new, stray dogs with me to the river on most of my outings lately.
It's deffinitly against my better judgement as I have read in the past that the silvers and kings would clear the fishways on a columbian dam and not return for a half hour.
All this dew to the oil released from a mans hand or a dogs paw. It was reported from a study that the fishes scent finder could detect this at 1 part per 80 million.
I like taking my dogs with me but will probably leave them at home when the fishin gets serious. Was wondering about you guys, do you take your dogs with you when you fish?

If that bull was true, then how do all those salmon make it back to their streams of origin with all those dirty old smelly BEARS standing right in the middle of their streams? How does a fish known what a human even smells like? What about all the urine and crap that is dumped into the rivers from people and animals? That sure doesn't seem to stop the hundred of thousands of salmon and steelhead from going up the Columbia each year does it? It may be true that salmon and steelhead have very unique sense of smelling, but how could they know what "humans or dogs" even smell like? The last time I checked, I had never found any human or dog remains in their guts, have you? They don't eat them do they, so how do they know what they are?

What about all those hatchery fish that have humans around them all the time, especially when lots of them had been hand feed by humans for 1 or 2 years? If smell really meant that much to them, you would think that all you would have to do to catch them hatchery fish would be to just rub your hand scent onto your bait, and they would think that they were back home again getting another free lunch! It is true, if you let your dogs jump into the water that you are fishing in, that you will likely scare some of the fish out, and that also goes for peoples actions too!

Smell plays a part in fishing, but I think we over rate what that part really is. You say that fish can detect this at 1 part per 80 million. That may very well be true, but think about this, what in god's creation would a steelhead or salmon think he is eating when he grabs a bait covered with 80 million pars of anis oil? I was out fishing in a hog line at the mouth of the Cowlitz a few years ago, and the old guy anchored up next to me was just hammering the upriver bights. The only thing different that he was using and doing different then I, was that he was dipping his spinner in blue dawn dishwater soap detergent, right from the bottle. I could even see bubbles on top of the water when he let his spinner go out each time. Fish do have a great sence of smell, but I don't thing that they have the ability most of the time to know what the smell really means! That's my 2 cent worth!

If it was me, I would take my dogs fishing and chuckle at every one else!

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????


[ 08-05-2001: Message edited by: cowlitzfisherman ]

WOW! EASY COW.

I think they were referring to predators, I.E.-mammals.
Now I'm going to go put my head back on and take my dogs feeshin.

Simmer, Simmer. Just want to be your friend.

I used to fish a small river that had a jogging trail on the other side from a particular spot I liked.I used to get highly upset when some jogger's dog would make a detour and swim in the hole I liked.
Funny thing was I hooked steelhead on three occaisons on the first or second cast after a dog cleared the hole.I don't know if it was coincidence or what but I stopped getting upset when a dog,or anything else,would stir up a spot I fish.
I take my dog whenever I go to a spot where she won't be around other anglers.

FLICKYOURJIG

If you cared enough to adopt a couple stray dogs, then you are truly my friend!

I did not mean to bit your head off! I just want people to think about what they have read, and apply it to life! Your posting was a very good question, and I am sorry if you think that I was trying to bite your head off. After guiding for 10+ years, I have heard this crape many times before. I have seen just about every study that you can imagine, and believe me, in almost every study that I have seen, or read, it is usually been very bias by the person(s) who have paid for the study. The older I get. I am quickly becoming a believer in common sense!

Ask the questions, and let's see what the other folks think, and yes, take your dog fishing, and keep him in control just like a kid! Most fishermen never mind a well behaved dog, or in that fact, a well behaved kid. After all, we too are mammals!

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????

As usual, your points are very well taken and this is no acception.
Fishon cowlitsfisherman and lets see what everyone else thinks.

Sorry it's
cowlitzfisherman opps.

Sorry thats-----------OOPS

I honestly believe that overhead boats stir up fish to bite, but not dogs jumping in the water, swimming and splashing around. I've had a few bad experiences with dogs and their owners. The owners come right up to the areas where I fish and throw balls/sticks into the water for the dogs to fetch. Of all the places on the river/lake for them to do this why do they always pick the hole I'm fishing.

FLICKYOURJIG, go ahead and bring the dogs to the river, but you should keep them off the water until you and everyone else in the area is done fishing.

Bringing your dogs fishing is great.Just remember to clean up after them,as well as yourself when your done.It aint no fun steppin in the doo at your favorite hole.