There are few fishing buddies who will tolerate the 100th time I say “one last cast!” or endure early spring canoeing in semi-thawed ponds. One I can always count on is my dog, Nelson. He’s there tail wagging as I reel in what could be a personal best or a sardine—excited either way. He’s opened doors to solo fishing which, as a small woman, wouldn’t be comfortable without him there. That said, this 80-pound lug of snuggle and I put in a lot work...
