RIVER DOGS
In praise of the company of canine companions

By R.Chris Halla

Opinions vary on the company of dogs when in pursuit of trout. We would probably all agree that an unruly, barking mutt, bouncing in and out of the water before and behind us, is an unwelcome companion indeed. But there are also those lovely canine sidekicks who stay close, who lie and wait quietly while we cast and who only come as far as water's edge to drink when thirst is overwhelming, and even then, only behind us. These good dogs are happy with a pat on the head and the occasional Milk Bone or bit of cheese or beef jerky, content to simply tag along.

Some of them come to stream with master or mistress, out for a day with their favorite person. Others reside deep in the country of trout, wandering about at will, and are happy for the kindness and temporary friendship of strangers. A few of those latter are pups of pedigree, but most are mongrels showing only a passing relationship to matron or sire, and many bear no resemblance whatsoever to their ancestral breeds, whatever they may have been.

On one of my favorite spring creeks, I always begin a dry and upstream trek below a bridge where there never fail to be several large trout, and the only question is whether or not I have the skill (or, failing skill, luck) it will take to put them on a fly. I seldom get to the water before Pepe and his pals join me. Pepe is part German Shepherd and part something else. One of his buddies is part Lab and part something with white on it, while the third member of the gang is (probably) part Jack Russell and, if I don't miss my guess, part Pepe. Their arrival is usually a hell-on-wheels affair with much dancing, tail wagging and petting, but once I'm in the water, these guys settle down and stay a respectable distance downstream behind me. They hang around until the first fish is caught and then, feeling, I guess, that their work is done, head off to other adventures.

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