by Bob Johansen, September 17, 2007

Man's best friend can also be a great fishing buddy and an avid camping and boating companion.

During life's journey, on Planet Earth, we meet many people. Some become good friends and for anglers, a few become special fishing buddies. I have been blessed with many very special fishing partners from the human race. I have also had a very special fishing buddy, that I loved very much, that most people considered "non-human." I suppose they are right, but to me, he seemed to be almost human in so many ways.

The name on his birth certificate was Midnight Star Spike. We became friends very quickly and dropped all formalities and I just called him Spike. For a cocker spaniel, Spike was a large dog, nearly twice the size of many cockers. He was jet black with a white "star like" spot on his throat and of course, he had those huge floppy ears.

Spike was about three years old when my wife and I adopted him and had neverbeen fishing. I remember the very first time we took him out in the bass boat. He was so nervous that he just shook from head to tail. His uneasiness soon ended however and he quickly became an avid boater. He soon recognized clues, like hooking up the boat, that a fishing trip was imminent and would stay right at my heels to try and insure that he wouldn't be left at home.

After his first rather reluctant boating trip, he would eagerly jump into the boat and take up his position as "bow watch." As we cruised down the lake, he would stand on the bow with his huge ears flopping in the wind. And, when we stopped and started fishing he would settle down near me and watch -- and if a duck or seagull got too close, he would keep a sharp eye on them.

Spike stands bow watch as we cruise down Lake Sammamish

One sunny, late summer day, my neighbor, Frank, and I were perch fishing in Lake Washington when a few ducks swam near seeking hand-outs. Spike shook with excitement and finally he could stand it no longer. He plunged into the water in an unsuccessful attempt to nab one of the pesky ducks. With considerable effort, I was able to bring him back aboard. Being a special pal of mine, and only a friend of Frank's, Spike went to the back of the boat and shook the water off on Frank.

Spike would get quite excited when any fish was landed and always rushed in close for a look, a smell, and sometimes even attempted to try a little taste. He fished for every thing with us -- sockeye salmon on Lake Washington, yellow perch on many lakes and reservoirs and for largemouth and smallmouth bass in waters all over the state of Washington.

He loved long fishing trips, that took several days, and we would spend the nights in the camper. He shared many days, with my wife and I, fishing eastern Washington's Evergreen Reservoir, Potholes Reservoir, Scooteney Reservoir, Banks Lake, Osoyoos Lake and many more. On these extended trips, we always had plenty of Spike's favorite food and an ample supply of his special "cookies." The cookies were those crunchy doggie treats shaped like bones. Spike liked the big ones.

Spike learned to love the water. On warm, sunny fishing trips, we would often beach the boat and Spike would wade, swim and drink some lake water. We always carried water in the boat for all of us, but he could never resist tasting the lake water also. He also really liked exploring the uninhabited shorelines with his keen sense of smell.

One sunny, early fall day, my wife, Spike and I were fishing for perch in the Potholes Reservoir. We were using ultra light fishing gear and small bits of perch meat for bait and catching quite a few perch when suddenly I hooked a big five pound rainbow trout. The big fish took off with the speed and power of a fresh winter run steelhead. Well, Spike and I were both quite excited -- much more so than my wife, who was standing by with a net.

We finally landed the fish. Spike was crowding so close to me, trying to get a close up look and sniff the fish, that I accidentally knocked him over the side. While he "dog-paddled " around the boat, I quickly put the rainbow in the cooler and went to the rescue. After getting him back aboard, Spike showed that he was a little perturbed by turning his back and ignoring me. All was forgiven by evening however, when we were enjoying barbecued rainbow trout while camping in the Potholes State Park.

Spike sulks after being accidently knocked over the side of the boat while catching this 5 pound Rainbow.

My wife is not an avid bass angler, so on many occasions Spike and I would hook the bass boat to the camper and take off -- just the two of us. We enjoyed our time on the water together and I admit, I often talked to him as if he was a human fishing buddy and would say things like, "Look at this beauty Spike, isn't she a dandy." Spike always showed the proper appreciation, watched closely and never seemed to object when I released the fish.

On one occasion, Spike and I had been bass fishing for several hours on Skagit County's Lake Erie when I decided to quit. We came ashore, no other anglers were around, and Spike was enjoying running around exploring with his amazingly keen nose. I decided to let him explore while I loaded the boat. I backed the trailer into the water and pushed the boat off shore to drive it onto the trailer. I was about 40 feet off shore when Spike saw I was leaving without him. He raced to the shoreline, plunged in, and
started dog paddling furiously in an attempt to catch me. I had to laugh as I quickly came to the rescue.

Spike and I spent many evenings around a campfire. He loved it and so did I. I liked the feel of his soft hair as I stroked his head and ears. I liked sharing snacks with him. He would eat anything he saw me eat -- even raw vegetables or fruit. His favorite human snacks, however, were smoked salmon and pepperoni. Potato chips and nuts were also high on his list of favorites.
Spike also loved camping in the camper and I enjoyed his company. On all camping/ fishing trips, we always carried Spikes favorite sleeping blanket and his pillow. Sometimes, in fact quite often, Spike would wake me at dawn and want to go outside. That was O.K. on the mornings when I wanted an early start fishing, but sometimes, I like to sleep in. Once up however, we always enjoyed an early morning walk before anyone else was up.

Spike had his own blanket and pillow.

Spike is gone now, to the happy fishing grounds, and I miss him very much. He was laid to rest with his favorite sleeping blanket, his food bowl and a few of his special "cookies." Humans who have never known the love and loyalty of a wonderful pet have missed something in this life and probably don't understand the strong bond that can develop between man and his "best friend." I never considered myself Spike's owner -- we were family. And, when the time comes for me to knock on those pearly gates, it
would be so nice, if among those there to greet me, one was a little black guy with big ears and his stubby tail wagging with joy.

As wonderful as it is, to enjoy the companionship of a loyal pet, it also comes with considerable obligations. Pets are like small children. They need love, protection and care. They love personal attention and need plenty of exercise, like long walks. They are sometimes expensive and need shots or other veterinarian services. Spike had some problems with eye infections and needed special eye drops on several occasions.

Pet owners should also be responsible for any mess their animal makes. Most dogs are not very fussy about where they go to the outhouse. I always carried a supply of plastic bags and a "pooper scooper" in the boat as well as when we went on walks.

Non-human fishing buddies come in many sizes, shapes and colors. Over the years, I have observed many other anglers enjoying the company of their pets aboard boats. Some are very large and others are very small. I have even seen a little dog wearing a life jacket. I have also seen an angler with two dogs in his canoe while fishing.

So, if you have the time to give a pet the love and attention he deserves, you just might end up with a very loyal friend and a very special fishing buddy.