The Housatonic is getting crowded

[BLACKGHOST1]

Here is a few pics of Dave, aka Brookie, getting crowded by a heron. Right before I took the first pic, Dave was fighting a fish and this heron flew down and was dive bombing trying to get the fish. I couldn't get the camera out fast enough to get any shots of that. Maybe because I was laughing so hard. ;D

In this pic I think Dave is politely telling the heron to fish somewhere else.

The heron is ignoring you Dave. ;D

I had a great day fishing with you and Alain. Thanks guys.

Mike

I went back last Saturday and this guy decided to point out a few spots for me to fish.





I also spotted this white woolly caterpillar. This is the first one I have ever seen! Did any of you guys ever see one of these?

[AaronJasper]

Tons of fish and perfect river conditions can make for some crowding for sure! I had a heron rip a fish off of a customers line a few weeks back. I even have video of it!

[alanb_ct]

On that day we saw six different herons and three osprey. Torrey was just telling me the state biologists believe avian predation on the Housatonic has been severely underestimated.

[BLACKGHOST1]

Aaron: That must have been something to see firsthand. I'd love to see that video.

[Rainbow]

Thats funny stuff!

[SperryWater]

Same thing happened to my brother and I a month ago on the Housy. As soon as we starting fishing the Heron came down and stood on a rock about 5 feet from us and waited till one of us caught a fish and then grabbed it. Only the fish was still hooked. The line snapped and the Heron ate the fish and a pair of flies, one of which was a pretty big woolly bugger. It didn't seem to bother him as he came back and tried it again.

I guess the word is out and the Heron's have figured out an easy way to get a meal. It is a dangerous way to make a living though, as I imagine sooner or later one of those hooks is going to get stuck! I guess the best you can do is try and scare them away before it happens.

It is pretty surprising the first time it happens though.

[AaronJasper]

Kind of like this
The Heron

[SperryWater]

Yeah! In fact I think it was in the same spot - is that Push'Em Up? Might be the same Heron!

[TroutAholic]

The same thing happened to me at Push em Up on Sunday.

[heavyd]

I got bit by a white caterpillar just like that last year on the farmington. My whole arm blew up with hives. Not fun.