Of Crabs and Canoes

What could go wrong? Gabe and I crab from a canoe.

In my ongoing efforts to figure out how to go crabbing in the various small watercraft I have access to, Gabe and I decided that a canoe attempt was in order. And the pink salmon were running, so we thought we'd try to catch some of those while we were at it.

I'll leave some of the outcomes to your imagination. But I will offer a few observations:

• Fly-fishing in a canoe is tricky. Crabbing in a canoe is tricky. Two people doing both at the same time in the same canoe is...tricky.

• Mobility is a bit of a problem in a canoe, and it's worth thinking about where to put things so you don't have to climb over or around a stack of crab pots to get at them. Things like paddles.

• The bottom of a canoe is a great place for angry crabs to wander around if they get loose. They really seem to enjoy it.

• It's recommended to wear close toed shoes while crabbing in a canoe (see above).

• If you accidently drop a crab pot overboard by accidentally springing open the clip that secures it to its line, and you need to suddenly and violently lean over the side of the canoe up to your shoulder in an effort to catch the sinking pot before it disappears forever, don't compound your troubles by attempting to yell a warning to your shipmate. It will only startle them, and believe me, they're already startled.

• The correct response to "You guys are going out in that?" is "Thank you for your thoughts and prayers."