DF52 Pacific lamprey. Perhaps not exactly what you expected? Think “koi” for now, and I’ll fill in the details (and why this image is so rough) later…

Update: Okay, I’m back with some more info. I had a piece going last night, got 20+ minutes in and decided I really didn’t like it all—so much so that I balled it up and tossed it across the room. I decided to go about 180 degrees in terms of the representation, but only had a few minutes left to execute (thus the rough nature of the drawing). I went with a top-down view using the inspiration of a koi-pond.

Why koi? Well, Pacific lamprey are ugly suckers (literally), and no one really likes them (except those with which they have a multi-thousand-year history. And fisheries scientists. And seals). On the other end of the spectrum, some people pay a lot of money to keep ornamental koi in backyard pools. So, I thought, why not turn turn the whole thing on its head and ask a little visual question: If lamprey were beautiful fish like koi, how would they be perceived? Would they still be viewed with general disgust (nasty, but perfectly adapted mouth notwithstanding)? Would they gain better recognition/protection in the Columbia River system? Would more people study them to see how they really interact with salmon, seals and Native American culture? I have my own thoughts about the answers, and the mental image of beautiful, ornamental lamprey just fired up my brushes.

So, here we are—an ugly, but misunderstood/under-appreciated fish that has key links to “game” fish (at least out here in the PNW. Ask a Great Lakes fisheries biologist about the lamprey situation there, and you’ll get a very different insight). The relationship between lamprey, salmon, seals (and other animals and birds), and Native American culture and history is a deep one, and I’m guessing that many fly-fishers (including me, until recently) have relatively little knowledge of it. If you’re interested in knowing more, use your favorite search engine, and also check out this cool little vid from Edible Portland.

Update 2: Check out Jeff’s nightmare lamprey here. So much for the koi-pond daydream!