An Unintentional Catch

All fishermen have, from time to time, a lure break off the line. The cause could be a weak knot on a long cast, a brush pile snag, or a simple drop while tying on. Perhaps it’s just an old lure. Do you bother to go after it, or do you think, It’s just old, and I’ve got plenty? If you love wildlife and water foul, that’s not a question you even ask.

This past summer a Canada goose came to the center with a lost torpedo lure embedded in its feet. The goose had stepped on the lure and the barbs of the hook pierced one foot. It appears that in attempting to remove it, the goose impaled its other foot with the lure. Now eight of the nine barbs were deeply embedded in both feet. One can only imagine the animal’s pain, stress, and frustration.

Its feet tied together by the lure, the goose was unable to swim and was adrift in the lake. Thankfully, one of our incredible wildlife first responders came to the rescue. She waded into the lake and gently brought the goose to shore. Discovering the lure, she rushed the goose to Carolina Wildlife Center where it was removed from the goose’s feet. After a time of quiet and careful monitoring, the goose was transferred to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in North Carolina to complete its recovery.

With the lake level down on Lake Murray for the winter, this is a great time to walk the shoreline and remove lost lures, sharp objects, and fishing line that could harm our precious wildlife. While every moment spent fishing is treasured, so are the wild birds and animals that make being there so special.