A Fish Tale

This is Seager’s fish tale…

Once upon a time, on a bright, warm May afternoon, a boy and his little brother convinced their Papoo that it was a perfect day for a trip to the pond.  After a successful lesson in worm digging, they headed out armed with bait, lures, poles and high hopes.  

As usual, Papoo was quite busy baiting, untangling, and repeatedly insisting that in order to catch a fish, one has to keep the hook in the water.  The pond was very still and the water very clear. So clear in fact, you could watch the fish chase your bait and eventually steal it.  Now this might sound fun, but it became frustrating for the little boys to see, but not catch, the illusive little fish.  Amongst the little thieves was the “big” one.  A huge bass that floated just far enough out to be safe but be seen by all.  He would tease the older boy by following the bait around every time the boy moved along the bank or reeled in to recast. This cat and fish game went on for a good while. 

After using all the live bait, the older boy looked in his tackle box and produced several different options.  He tried spinners and  lures but the “big” one continued it’s torment.  The boy pulled out the last resort…a sparkling, yellow, plastic worm.  He sailed a beautiful cast out, started the reel in,  felt a little tug, then nothing.  His nemesis floated there, staring at him and upon looking at his bait of choice, he realized that his sparkling, yellow worm had been chomped in half, leaving nothing but an exposed hook and a little yellow stump. 

Seeing the gravity of the situation and the lateness of the day, Papoo gave the signal that it was time to give it up and head home.  Screams of disappointment and frustration filled the early evening.  The boy could not be consoled with promises of “tomorrow” and kept casting as Papoo loaded the truck.  When everything was loaded, the boy was instructed to reel in and bring his pole to the truck.  At that very second, a screech of pure excitement and adrenaline filled the air.  Much to everyone’s surprise, the boy had hooked something!  Was is a little teaser fish, a log or was it the “big” one?  It appeared to be something big, something HUGE! 

Papoo stayed close but let the boy land his prize.  As soon as the prize got close to the bank, Papoo  helped make sure that it made it on shore. 

And then, there it was…The “Big” One!  The one that followed and teased the boy into such a state that failure was not an option. 

The trophy was handed over to the rightful owner

and he lifted it up in triumph and pride! 

 

The smaller brother was very excited for his big brother.  They both were very surprised to learn that this particular fish is called a large mouth bass.  They were fascinated to get to see the inside of the fish via that large mouth.

After the winner’s circle photo shoot, Papoo gently took the sparkling, yellow stump out of that large mouth and eased him back in the pond.  He swam back to his watery home with a quick flick of his tail.

Mission accomplished.  The boy, who never gave up, won his trophy.  And what do you think he said as he finally got himself into the truck to leave…

“I think we should come back tomorrow

so I can catch him again!” 

Determination and confidence are obviously not lacking in this young man.  A successful future is his for the taking!