Bryan Esbaugh and his 15-year-old son, Wyatt, were out fishing for smallmouth bass on Ponhook Lake in Queens County, N.S. one Friday morning when they unexpectedly hooked a bald eagle. Wyatt, who used to feed bass to birds while fishing with friends, noticed the eagle following them around the lake and assumed it was waiting for them to catch a fish. The eagle trailed them along the shore for about 30 minutes, scanning the water for breakfast. During its final sweep of the lake, the eagle snatched their fishing lines and lures, becoming entangled in the process and crashing into the water.
Upon seeing the eagle struggling with the fishing gear, Bryan and Wyatt approached it in their boat. They observed one hook stuck in its beak and another in its foot. Wyatt carefully lifted the eagle out of the water and onto the boat. Bryan estimated the eagle to weigh around 25 pounds and highlighted the need to be cautious of its sharp claws.
Upon reaching the dock, the eagle slipped back into the lake and began drifting away. Wyatt skillfully navigated the boat, bringing the eagle to shore. He wrapped the bird in a towel and, with Bryan’s help, removed the hooks to free it from entanglement. Dr. Jessica Rock, a veterinarian from the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, praised the duo’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional assistance in such situations for the best outcomes.
Although bald eagles appear sturdy, they are delicate creatures, and expert handling is crucial in helping them. The eagle eventually regained its freedom, with Bryan humorously naming it the “Canadian White-Headed Lake Raptor” as a playful nod to a past political reference.
In a heartwarming turn of events, the eagle was successfully released back into the wild, thanks to the swift actions of Bryan and Wyatt.
