This guy followed me around for about 90 minutes today and would swim right next to my seat only inches from the kayak.

 

I’m not sure if he was hungry or trying to tell me that I was fishing in the wrong spot.

He's young looking he might be trying to imprint on you.

The loons on my pond like to hang with me too.

1 hour ago, Dwight Hottle said:

He's young looking he might be trying to imprint on you.

Imprinting occurs in the first few days after hatching.  This duck hatched many, many days ago.

The last guy the duck saw in a Kayak gave him something to eat.  Now it's expected.  

 

I was fishing with a buddy once who tossed  a potato chip to a nearby duck.  Within 15 seconds every duck on the lake was gathered around my boat...  I don't take that guy fishing any more.  😆

1 hour ago, OldManLure said:

Imprinting occurs in the first few days after hatching.  This duck hatched many, many days ago.

@Tennessee Boy @OldManLure Yes I know but they also imprint from someone feeding them.

That’s classical conditioning.  Imprinting occurs before an animal has developed the ability to learn.

Local lake here has tame ducks sometimes. I offered one a cracker and he came close enough for me to grab. I grabbed him and me and my son took turns petting him before I let him go. Should have brought him home.

We got a Great Blue Heron that hangs around one of my shore spots. We've named 'her' Heronetta...and she'll come over to our side when she sees people catching fish. We'll toss her one every now and then to watch her gobble it down.

 

1 hour ago, Bazoo said:

Local lake here has tame ducks sometimes. I offered one a cracker and he came close enough for me to grab. I grabbed him and me and my son took turns petting him before I let him go. Should have brought him home.

 

A lot of wild birds carry avian influenza.  I would advise against that.  Waterfowl are notorious for having it.

1 hour ago, gim said:

 

A lot of wild birds carry avian influenza.  I would advise against that.  Waterfowl are notorious for having it.

Thanks. I didn't have any idea about it. I don't know how long these ducks were wild, but they had been tame ducks that escaped or were turned loose, at least that is what the park people said. Not sure that makes any difference on disease.

Basically any bird can get it.  Domesticated poultry are generally more susceptible to it because of the close quarters they tend to inhabit (it spreads easier).

 

Waterfowl often gather in flocks, although outdoors.  So the chances are lower being outside (just like with us, spreading viruses is less likely outside).

 

I hunt wild turkey and pheasants so it's something I'm aware of too.  I always wear rubber gloves when I clean them and then wash my hands and knives thoroughly afterwards.

 

I wasn't trying to scare anyone or fear monger people about this.  Just something to be aware of.  Cases in people are rare and the ones that have been found were because they worked with poultry or cattle.

Looks like supper to me!!!

did you catch any where you were fishing?

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

did you catch any where you were fishing?

Not with the duck around. I moved west to one of the AI waypoints and landed a 5+ pounder. It was the only bite I had in my three hours out there.

 

I headed west from the ramp and made a long run even though I knew it was probably low percentage fishing based upon my previous experience on Tobesofkee. But I wanted to try out some of the new spots recommended by AI. I saw only one boat out on that section of the lake.

 

This weekend I'm going to hit an electric or idle speed only lake. I'm not sure which one.