| Here is a true story...really. | | | | Now the die was cast, Dad had to win this fight. |
| Canoe float trips are a great past-time here in | | | | As he pulled harder the line became more and |
| Missouri as we are blessed with many beautiful | | | | more like a slingshot ready to let go. |
| streams. | | | | I could just feel the tension as the hairs on the |
| The creeks are beautiful, with crystal clear water, | | | | back of my neck stood up. |
| low overhanging trees and an occasional turtle or | | | | I looked at my brother and he looked at me (with |
| snake sunning on the many downed trees and | | | | real fear in his eyes) and we both turned our |
| stumps. | | | | backs, covered our heads and heard the most |
| One summer day my dad, younger brother and I | | | | interesting sound. It was kind of like a snap and |
| were enjoying a 12 mile float on the Upper | | | | then a whistling kind-of missile sound... then...thud |
| Meramec River. We were having a delightful time | | | | Whew, what a relief! It's over. |
| just lazily floating down the river. | | | | When we turned back around Dad was looking at |
| About five miles into the trip Dad decided he | | | | us with the most quizzical look on his face. It was |
| would do a little fishn'... he'd rather fish than eat. | | | | an odd look that was magnified by the huge red |
| My brother Jim and I were content to just enjoy | | | | and white fishing lure dangling from his upper lip. |
| the day but we could see that Dad needed | | | | It was just about the most unique thing I had |
| hisfishn' fix (I heard somewhere that it is more | | | | ever laid eyes on. |
| addictive than nicotine). I know Dad was hooked. | | | | It was one of those moments when laughing |
| He caught and released a few small bass and then | | | | would seem disrespectful but...dang. |
| the giant fishing lure he was casting (the kind with | | | | My very first thought was "why didn't we bring a |
| about fifty hooks) accidentally snagged on a low | | | | camera?". Then, the magnitude of the situation |
| tree branch on the other side of the stream. | | | | sank in. |
| It was really, REALLY hooked. | | | | We still have 7 miles to go and Dad has a |
| My brother and I tried to slow the canoe and | | | | FISHING LURE attached to his face...please God... |
| back it up toward the tree but the water was | | | | don't let any friends happen by...PLEASE! |
| flowing too quickly. We did at least get the canoe | | | | Dad had other concerns like getting the lure off |
| stopped. | | | | without damage to it... it was his "lucky" lure. |
| Dad started to pull on the line... and PULL! | | | | Well, sadly he lost the "lucky" lure because the |
| I want to take a moment and say a word about | | | | hook barbs would not come out and we didn't |
| my father...STUBBORN. | | | | think it a good idea to just cut them out. Happily |
| A true contrarian. I mean, if I (or anyone, really) | | | | some nice guys happened by and snipped off the |
| say, "do this", it is a given that he will NOT do it. | | | | hooks with a pair of wire cutters leaving the |
| On the other hand, if I say "don't do this"...HE | | | | barbs for a doctor to remove. |
| WILL DO IT... with gusto. | | | | Dad did a little more fishn' then decided since we |
| A mule would seem flexible and obsequious in | | | | still had 7 miles to go and it was getting late, we |
| comparison. | | | | should get a movin'. We paddled like crazy and |
| I should have known better and take full | | | | got out at about 7:00pm. |
| responsibility for what happened next. | | | | We were too late for a doctor so we poured |
| As he pulled on the line I became fearful of the | | | | iodine on the wounds and stuck on a large |
| possibility that the lure would let go, sending it | | | | band-aid. |
| whizzing toward usand in my moment of fear I | | | | The next day our family doctor fixed him right |
| said...stupidly..."Dad, why don't you just cut the | | | | up...with a little ribbing thrown in for free. |
| line?". | | | | The float was wonderful exercise and Dad caught |
| The moment the words left my mouth I knew... | | | | about a hundred and ninety-five pounder. |
| KNEW something bad was about to happen. Jim, | | | | His largest ever! |
| my brother, gave me a look like...you've done it | | | | All in all it was a very good day. |
| now... you know you should always tell dad the | | | | Much better than that time fishing during the |
| exact opposite of what you want...idiot. | | | | tornado. |