Trained Pelicans

[Freakyfisherman]

Fished the Berry Monday and we pretty well due to one our fellow BFTers.  I had been struggling to get into fish this year and put out a call for help.  

We  had pelicans following us around like we were the government with a fresh batch of covid checks.

When we would have a fish splashing at the boat they would move in closer.  We had their undivided attention.

Guess they are hanging around boats picking up injured fish that don't make it.  This is better than having rotting fish floating around however.

It pains me when I have a bleeding trout that is in the slot. He is going to die but I am not allowed to take him. I can understand the DWR not allowing fishers to keep injured slot fish that's for sure.  I see enough slot cuts at the cleaning stations as it is.  I'm afraid some would claim injured and not wanting to waste just to keep fish.

Years ago they were trained too. I used to target trout and would score them stripping streamers on the fly rod or by jigging jigs. I swear everytime I caught a slot cutt, i would gently release them, watch them struggle on the surface, then get gobbled up by the pelicans. It never seemed to fail. 
Gabe