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The One That
Almost Got Away
My son, Rob considers
himself the worlds greatest angler. He has a tremendous amount
of money and time invested in names like Penn, Garcia just to
mention a few. Whether fresh water or tidal pools, back rivers
or oceans he has the equipment to fulfill the challenge. Each
site requires special bait, lures, rods and reels. He lovingly
keeps equipment for each site packaged in separate carrying
cases and stored under lock and key. So when the opportunity
presents itself for a day of fishing he loads his pickup truck
with the necessary equipment for that body of water.
My sister and her husband recently relocated to the south and
built a lovely home on a very small island in South Carolina,
where fishing is a way of life. The island not only has the
open water of a sound, but directly behind their home is a
wonderful tidal creek. The center of the island has a large
fresh water lake complete with a six foot alligator. So this
is a haven for all the gentlemen in our family. Any mention of
a family get together the men folks are out loading the
pickups with fishing tackle and bait.
Which is wonderful for the ladies; we enjoy a day of not
hearing "Where is ______". Since we would not have clue where
to locate a sniggle, Ike or 1 inch hook (my all time favorite
since oyster beds and fish have a particular interest in
losing hooks) or any such items. So every few weeks we have a
birthday, anniversary or hangnail removed and it's get
together time in South Carolina.
Rob has a lovely wife, Lacey and two small children Mary
Kathryn age three and Palmer who will be one at the end of
August 2002. Lacey also enjoys these outings with the family.
There is a pool and nature trails and other small children to
keep her two amused. Also Grandmothers, Great Aunts, Aunts and
Great Grandmothers to keep an eye out for a wandering tot.
A few weeks ago, late July, my sister celebrated her birthday
which called for a family outing. All arrived on Saturday
morning planning to spend the night after a day of eating,
swimming, walking and, of course, fishing. My son had assisted
one of my cousins who had just graduated from college with his
internship on the golf course where my son is superintendent.
Trey, my cousin, is from the inner part of Georgia and has not
had a lot of
experience in salt water fishing.
Rob and Trey headed down to the bank of the tidal creek behind
the house. Rob rigged his rod, cast and settled back for a day
of catching the big one. Trey stood there for a minute but had
no idea where to begin. Rob finally placed his rod on the bank
and began to show Trey what was required in rigging a rod for
this type of fishing. As he was explaining the correct and
best equipment and how it is placed for optimal success a
large fish took his bait, but not only the bait the entire rig
was pulled from the bank. No one was around to give the
details, except Trey, who would never betray a friend and boss
with details of my son's explosion.
Rob walked up to the house to inform all the ladies and
children of his loss. After sitting for a few minutes he
explained to all that the loss of his rig paled since the fish
must have been huge in order to cart off his equipment. Of
course I'm sure his wife was thinking of the cost of said
equipment since it would surely be replaced. Rob sat with the
ladies as we explained maybe at low tide it could be retrieved
a mere four hours away. Since he was
calmed down and we all were informed of his fishing abilities
and helpfulness in assisting Trey, he wandered back down to
the creek to resume the love of his life.
Two or three hours later Rob arrived back grinning. Trey had
caught a fish; not only a large fish, but Rob's rod and reel
with the fish still on the line! So this was the fish that did
not get away!
ŠAnne Whitney,
2002
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