Dog Fish – well nearly | Dartmouth Fishing

Dartmouth Fishing – Sea fishing aboard Blue Marlin III (Ocqueteau 645) from the river Dart in Devon UK

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Dog Fish – well nearly

13 March 2010 One Comment

It was a sunny Saturday with a light Northerly wind and Karen decided it was now time to take Rolfe the German Shepherd puppy for his first boat trip out of Dartmouth.

Rolfe is now 7 months old and is an all black German Shepherd Dog owned by the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary. Karen had volunteered last year to join their Puppy Walking Scheme and in October last year we took delivery of Rolfe.

Part of our role is to get the puppy used to as many new experiences as possible. I had declined to allow him on the boat until he could swim. He passed this hurdle several weeks ago and now is a real water baby so it was time to take him out.(although a life jacket for him will be a good idea for the future).

We drove across to Brixham where we picked up my brother Mike and headed to Noss Marina. Once we arrived Rolfe was eager to get going. The first hurdle was to negotiate the long gangway down to the pontoons which is slatted and open to view the river below. I was certain this would spook Rolfe but he surprised me by prancing over the gangway eager to get to the water. The next hurdle was to negotiate the deck of our neighbouring boat (our berths are doubles and we were on the outside). This was more tricky as he had to step over the pontoon onto one boat then negotiate across onto our vessel. After a bit of a fuss (he is still a wuss!!) he made the leap and he was aboard Blue Marlin III. We soon made it off the mooring and Rolfe was all over the boat eager to get involved in anything and everything.

We had a great trip down the river to the mouth of the Dart where we took a quick turn around the mouth at speed to see how Rolfe liked it. Needless to say he enjoyed every minute. It was then a gentle trip back to the marina to moor up. We think Rolfe is a natural sea dog as he loved the trip.

He has now ticked another box in his training CV and is a potential recruit for the marine section.

It was then back to Mikes for some serious ball chasing in his garden before the journey home. Once home Rolfe headed for his cage and collapsed into sleep. Sea air clearly has the same effect on animals as humans. The trouble now will be trying to get away on fishing trips with out the dog knowing.