A Strange Fish

A Strange Catch Earl Plato
Wainfleet, close and yet so far. The four of us put the boat in at Dunnville’s public dock about six p.m. this August evening. John moved his good-sized craft easily down the runway and into the calm waters of the Grand River. This was to be a sight and fishing expedition of a few hours.
It had taken us about twenty minutes from the O’ Brien’s of Wainfleet located on the Welland River to reach Dunnville and our launching place, Close and not so far.
The Grand, that great river from the northwest, was our waterway to Cayuga. Yes, we had been on the river in past years but not for some trolling. This night we counted but three fishermen in their little boats. John has a depth measuring device, “14 feet here - a good place for pickerel. we’ll fish here on the way back.” he commented.
I had my camera and took plenty of shots. Remember the time - growing shadows and some good reflections. Weeping and river willows - plenty of them. We passed the trailer site. Plenty of trailers and docks but few people. Think! It’s dinner time, eh.
We eventually approached the bridge at the town of Cayuga. Time to head back downstream. John set up out trolling poles. He told me that he had given me a good lure. Diane took over the wheel and we trolled.
A hit! A fair-sized hit for john. A two foot gray-coloured fish came to the surface. “The net!” What a strange fish. Unlike anything I had ever seen. Elaine snapped some shots. John weighed the creature - two and a half pounds. This fish had a rounded tail like an ancient coelacanth. It had a large head and a mouth equipped with strong sharp teeth. It’s back was covered with a series of small fins. No keeper this! Back into the water but we had some photos. You regular fishermen know the species- the Bowfin.
It was growing dark when we arrived back at the Dunnville dock. It was a great trip on a great river. To be exact a Grand river.
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I didn’t intend to lie but the response from cat lovers made me add another cat myth tale.
Cat lovers there are in Niagara. No doubt about it. One old friend questioned the existence of ‘Whitey’. Brother, Ed, confirmed to him that my pet cat did live. I have only fond memories of that favourite feline. Yes, my mother had no great love for cats but she never discouraged us from having them as pets as long as they stayed outside. She was always faithful in feeding them when we forgot our duties.
From the Buffalo News “Debunking some old cat tales.” Cats are a danger to babies. With two pregnant daughters should we be afraid?
Only one daughter has a pet house cat - a beautiful black and white feline named Daytona. She is truly a house cat. Here’s what Gina Spadafori of the News wrote. “Cats do not maliciously smother or suck the breath out of babies, as the myths hold. That doesn’t mean some considerations aren’t in order, however. Pregnant women have to take special precautions when cleaning the litter box - or have someone else do it - because of the risk of disease. Yes, even animal advocates remind new parents that common sense dictates no animal be left unattended with a small child - for the protection of both.”
Next: A well fed cat won’t hunt. Makes sense, eh?