What Just Washed Up on Shore?
Walking the shoreline after water levels drop can turn up some interesting finds.
Searching for shoreline treasure
Cottagers love to get out and comb the shoreline for washed-up treasures after the winter thaw. Sometimes they come across fishing lures, other times it’s a lost hat, or even a wayward dock.
Low water also reveals some of the ugliness that finds its way into the lake, as cans, bottles, and other junk people have dumped into the system become entangled in the vegetation at the high-water point.
During the fishing season, cigarette butts and discarded bait containers are common finds. One year I even saw a dirty diaper!
Seriously – who throws dirty diapers into the lake?
Rare discoveries
After a strong storm, or exceptionally high water levels, items that have been submerged for a very long time tend to make an appearance.
A few years ago, we had one of those situations. Water levels hit the highest point I have seen on my stretch of the river, and the stuff that turned up on my shoreline proved to be quite a surprise.
Iron file
The first item I came across was this old iron file.
I was surprise to see it because the tool is so heavy. I never would have guessed it could be churned up off the bottom.
Canoe paddle
This old canoe paddle also showed up on shore.
I’m not sure what the make is or how long the paddle had been in the water, but it now serves as a nice decorative piece in the cabin.
Ice skate
The most disturbing find was this ice skate.
When I first saw it, I thought, “Do I really want to look? What if there is a foot attached?”
How would you explain that one to the police?
The skate is an odd find in my neck of the woods because there really isn’t a place close to the cabin where someone would be able to do any skating. The property is on an island in an area that is pretty much impossible to get to through the winter months.
After a bit of hesitation, I finally built up the courage to look, and fortunately, the skate was empty.
Written and photographed by: Andrew Walker