Cayugan Trout and Salmon
Dr. James Murphy, DC
There is a proud fish mounted on my wall, a Brown trout all of
9 pounds when he finally arrived netside that one fine Spring day
back in '99. Salmo Fario they like to call him in learned circles,
for in the instant I brought him aboard the Owl's Nest, it was clear
I had captured a beautiful creature complete with spots both brown
and indigo. Feeding on smelt approximately 90 feet down,
it was immediately clear that he had been enjoying a frenzied feast...as
evidenced by his gorged, swollen midships. An angry onyx eye stared
at me as he lay there for here was the finest trout I had ever caught
of his kind.
The day progressed and the fishing remained vibrant, filled with
surprises. A pink-shaded lure trolled at 50 feet suddenly spasmed
against the line and the rod beckoned us to heave to. Frantic is
how one describes the behavior of both equipment and angler when
nearly any rainbow trout strikes from
the depths. Salmo Irideus is a world-class fighter, an acrobatic
leaper - and this finned pugilist was no exception. Breaking the
water's surface repeatedly, she then switched tactics - pursuing
the fight with lunges to the watery abyss below. Ever so gradually,
the trout was coaxed to the surface... with the warm,
soft Spring sunlight magnifying the exquisite pink stripe on her
sides the Rainbow trout is so well known for. 'Freedom to fight
another day' was the rule at this point, she left us feeling exhilarated
and completely awestruck. Like children who just caught their first
trout, another fond, vivid memory was gained.
By far the most common trout species in Cayuga lake are the Lake
trout (or locally 'lakers'); the morning remained busily filled
with our repeated catching and releasing one after another. Salvelinus
Namaycush (the later meaning 'deep dweller') is an apt description
for this bottom-residing trout who makes it a point to reside where
the greatest amount of baitfish can be found. Up until the new millenium,
the Lake trout frequently were boated in the 10-pound class...or
greater. They are a thing of beauty, their broad backs giving off
shades of black and blue, their white markings offer classic vermiculated
('wormy') appearances. Just before netting them, they have a
classic belly-up rolling pattern to their fight....not unlike an
alligator or crocodile.
Landlocked Salmon close out this exclusive group of noble fish -
and indeed, though none were caught that day, I do remember my initial
encounter with Salmo Salar (aka the Atlantic Salmon) in the late
Fall of '97. The uniform hills were adorned with autumn colors and
the early morning temperatures hovered in the 40's. Trolling above
the 100 foot level, we could easily see the billowing masses of
baitfish above/below this level on the sonar. Nothing but the breeze
of the morning air could be felt...the lake surface calm as glass.
As fishermen and fisherwomen can oftentimes attest, one begins to
meditate and
become imbued in the moment....breathing warm breath into gloved
hands, one's mind wanders onto more mundane things.
All hell breaks loose. Anglers have long christened the Atlantic
salmon as 'the leaper', a perfect moniker for this particular 8-pound
beauty who repeatedly broke free from the water's surface gazelle-like
and filled with grace. So rapt was our attention on her performance
that I completely forget
temporarily to reel in - but Lady Luck cast a benevolent eye upon
me that October morning and within 10 minutes, the salmon was nearly
as breathless as we. (Later I discovered that the New York State
record for this species greater than 11 pounds, giving an even more
grand quality to the catch that was made). Silver from tip to tail,
she sported black round specks across the side without the colorful
halos of her neighbors of the watery depths. She was every bit the
warrior I'd heard she would be.
To kill a trout or salmon is a serious business; one thanks the
Spirit for giving us sustenance.
The world of Cayuga Lake is a fast-changing and dynamic one; with
the increase of man-made demands placed upon it, we must strive
more diligently to be more watchful of the consequences. Recently,
a significant lowering of the
baitfish levels in all the Finger Lakes has impacted our trout and
salmon populations; with far fewer smelt to feed upon, these creatures
take to alewives for a secondary source of feed. Nothing is ever
without consequence. The vital ability of ALL living things to utilize
minerals and vitamins cannot be
overstated; specifically, the fish suffer for it is that smelt that
allow them to break down thiamine more readily in their dietary
cycle; without this vitamin in adequate supply, the fish suffer
growth problems...and fail to multiply like they did throughout
the years beforehand. Slowly, these problems are lessening
and we hopefully are seeing a slow reversal of these changes in
fortunes. Anything short of a full recovery would be a tragedy.
There is something magical about bringing a fish to net; there is
a cadence, a sequence of casting, the fish strikes and thereafter
begins a duet and strategy together which one has to use power and
finesse at all the right moments. The timeless art of give-and-take
endures. In the end, the smell of salmon wafts to the nose, the
slime of trout oozes through cold fingers, in the
palms one holds writhing and wriggling a wonderfully alive fish.
Soon, the feeling floods your conscience. Live and let live. With
an uncanny burst of speed, the fish darts back to the safety of
the deep - leaving one filled with a feeling of respectful generosity.
Such a creature was never an adversary; you
may or may not realize this...for now. In the warm glow of the moment,
you sense how lucky you are to be truly alive and its all the more
meaningful as the October morning Sun crests over the east shore
of Cayuga Lake and warms your face as you drink in the Autumn air.
Nearly as old as Time itself...this lake gives to us what it has
if we remember the golden rule...that is to put back. Of ourselves
especially. Nothing less will do.
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