As a former resident of Payson, one of my favorite places to visit was Spring Lake. I love the evergreens that surround the path that borders the lake. Those towering trees that welcome local birds that perch on the branches and nestle within the needles.
Spring Lake is a majestic place with a complicated history, and I knew that and approached with reverence. As a mother of many young children, I’d often go for walks with them around the lake with the added incentive of seeing the many ducks and geese that make the lake their home. Doing this reminded me of my childhood when my mom would take my siblings and I to our local duck pond and I loved recreating those memories with my own children.
Through my many visits, I came to converse with locals who let me know that many of the ducks and geese were left there when owners discarded them. I learned that most of the birds live there all year long – many succumbing to viscous and mindless attacks. And then there are those who are injured due to neglect from visitors.
One such incident was witnessed recently by Spring Lake local Nancy Stucki, who while on a visit, heard a “weird thrashing in the bushes.”
That thrashing was a duck who had gotten a fish hook stuck in its beak. Thankfully, some fishermen were there to help remove the hook.
“This poor little duck was terrified,” Stucky wrote in a Facebook post. “He was flailing and peeping and stuck. He had a barbed hook through his tongue and the line was attached to a bush. The day was saved by two fine gentlemen, one the fisherman and the other a paddle boarder who also empties the small trash cans into the dumpster. The little guy endured the pain, and afterwards waddled down the bank and into the water.
“I kept muttering, ‘please God’ over and over while the men were working on the little guy,” Stucki told Serve Daily. “The men were the heroes, along with my friend who spotted the fisherman and asked him for help.”
Stucki explained that even though she and her friend pick up trash at the lake every day, she has never seen anything like this before. She pleaded with fishermen and women not to leave fishing line and hooks behind and for all visitors to clean up after themselves.
Several commenters on the Facebook post also encouraged visitors to be mindful and even offered tips to prevent further incidents.
“As long as people use nylon lines it will keep happening,” one commenter said. “Me and my girlfriend went fishing/swimming there Saturday and she pulled a whole trash can out on the west side across from the school and we found three lines with hooks and two spinners – one in the trash can that was in the water and one in the middle of the road as well as at sandy beach. I find at least five lines every time I go there. A braided line is best.”
Another commenter posted a reminder that there are recycling receptacles for fishing line in the form of pvc pipe around the lake, with another commenter adding that those pipes are often filled with garbage.
Others offered gratitude for the men who stepped in to help the duck.
“Thank you for helping,” a commenter wrote. “My parents used to clean around the lake daily and assist the wildlife. Unfortunately, they are not well enough to do so anymore. Grateful for good people willing to help!”
I may not frequent Spring Lake like I used to, but my heart isn’t far from it. When I see posts about garbage being left and animals getting hurt, it breaks my heart. Likewise, when I hear of men and women stepping in to save an animal’s life, it gives me hope.
I echo the words of many who love Spring Lake, and plead with all visitors to be mindful of all who call the lake home – especially the ones who live in the water and sleep under the trees.
