BOB, A Bigmouth Old Bass Trains Humans on a Maine Lake

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November 11, 2015
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Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine Nov. 19-25
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BOB, A Bigmouth Old Bass Trains Humans on a Maine Lake

BOB, A Bigmouth Old Bass Trains Humans on a Maine Lake

Great East Lake, Maine’s Golden Pond in the Sanford Lakes Region

BOB: How to train a human
photos and text by Ben Hall

feeding bob


Predictably each summer, to beat the “dust and heat of town,” humans flock to the state of Maine. The rolling hills, rocky coastline, pristine lakes, brilliant flora and perceptive fauna draw them. The turnpike is bumper to bumper with expectations of sighting a moose or a loon. Here comes blueberry muffins and whoopie pies.

 

 

 

 

 


If you listen closely you can hear visitors imitating Maine accents. “You can’t get there from here.” “Ayuh.” “My wife is from away. She was born in New Hampshire.” “This chowder is wicked good.”

bob cove


Visitors seem to understand that their environment is special, as do Mainers. Mainers, however, have a special appreciation that they are only an integral part of the natural world. The trout idling in the stream, the chickadee singing, the tall white pine reaching, the curious chipmunk scurrying, the Polyporus sulphureus on the stump glorifying and trumpets of death in the campfire ashes proclaiming, all signal a special presence or spirit in every aspect of creation.
So, I, BOB(an acronym for Bigmouth Old Bass) have a curious relationship with those from away. They see me in the shallow water searching for sustenance and declare to themselves that they can catch me. It is my job to get them to supply me with nourishment so I can enjoy the summer and fatten up for the winter. Through the water grasses and lily pads, around the rocks and under the docks, my hunting grounds are well known.

bob smiling


Do bass prefer live bait? Worms, crayfish, minnows, hellgramites and hatching insects are some of my favorites. Fly fisherman look for aesthetically pleasing and “match the hatch” creations which are OK for a quick diversion from my usual fare, but I work hard to teach them that live bait is my preference. Sometimes I get fooled by lifelike flies. When humans make mistakes they might say, “I’m only human.” Guess what? “I’m only a fish.”

bob crayfish


Would you believe that I let them catch me once in a while? Yes, I put up a fight once hooked, diving into the rocks and logs or dock poles to try and break their fishing line. Most of them throw me back right away and now feel they have power over me. If I just get them to feel responsible for me, the path to training has begun. Before you know it, they will pick up a frog or bug and throw it out in front of the dock and see me swoop in and open my mouth to engulf my morsel. I’ve got a big mouth and it’s impressive.
My cousin, SOB (acronym for smallmouth old bass), puts on a spectacular display when hooked, leaping out of the water and sometimes fan-tailing across the surface like an agitated circus acrobat. He hasn’t figured out that this just encourages them to cast top water lures like a jitterbug to see this brilliant display once again. This conditions them in the wrong way. They don’t really add to SOB’s sustenance.
It is just better to join the swimmers or to look up at the humans from under the dock with my mouth partly open so that they can see I want to be fed. Sooner or later someone will issue a challenge to see if they can feed me out of hand. I know how humans think. They want control over the situation and want to feed the fish.

Bob's view


Of course, it is fun to look up at them and encourage them. They constantly search for crayfish and frogs by the shore and catch minnows in traps. Eventually, they get the idea that they can dangle a morsel in the water to try and train me to feed. What a laugh! I follow them around when I hear them on the dock to let them know they have the power over me.
Usually, they begin by throwing one of my favorites into the water. Flashing to the meal, I reveal my beautiful, wide black stripe on my side. The humans share high fives. An adventurous one, usually challenged by the others, finally fingers the bait and lowers his hand into the water.
Now I have to make it look like I am tempted but cautiously swim around and stop to look up. Gradually, my body rises with the imperceptible stirring of my fins as if I am levitating above the sand.
It is all part of the training to make sure the human gets delightful satisfaction in the process.
Finally, my mouth opens and I gently nip the fingers of the holder and dash away with my captive. It’s not like I bite the hand that feeds me. The nipping gets the holder to exclaim to the others how he and BOB have a special relationship.

bob, feeding 2


The human is now hooked (trained) to act in a giving way so that both of us will get what we want. Symbiosis has been established. The feeding will continue, particularly when others are around, especially fisherman.
How to train a human? It’s not difficult. Just make them feel special by caring for another. BOB!

bob stone art


To learn more about lakefront properties for sale on Great East Lake in Acton, click on the green box above.
To learn more about Great East Lake and the Acton area of the Sanford Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Great East Lake is Acton, Maine’s Golden Pond
Ten Ponds and Lakes for Vacations and Recreation in Acton, Maine
Hikes near Mousam Lake in Shapleigh and Acton, Maine

 

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