Best Catch

I dangled my feet in the cool water as I sat on the damp boat ramp. Fireflies still lingered from their nightly light show. The sun barely shone through the heavy mist that seemingly rose from the pond. It was a normal thing, that when the sun rose, so did the mist as if they were on cue. This summer place was a dreamy place for me. And it was a dreamy mood that carried me back to another morning when the day seemed to last forever and the world seemed to stand still. Nothing was impossible then.

"Hurry up, Lucy, or I'll be first on the dock!" shouted Caleb from downstairs.

Our cabin faced Big Lick Reservoir and the rising sun.

"I'll be down when I'm ready!" I shouted back. I didn't like Caleb pestering me so early in the morning. He seemed to enjoy it though, every chance he got.

The back screen door banged shut as I heard Uncle Jake come in.
"Rise and shine, it's time we wet our bait!" he said. "A dollar to whoever catches the first fish!"

"Get your money out, I'm already gone." replied Caleb as he grabbed his pole and ran out the door.

Laughing softly, Uncle Jake whispered, "I'll just have a cup of coffee first" as he went for what was left in the pot. He was Mom's brother and had her red hair, even a red beard! It was all messy that morning like he just crawled out of bed. He wore jeans stuffed in his boots, and had on a gray shirt that read: Got Fish? Uncle Jake was as jolly as Santa and I loved him for it.

I came hopping down the stairs, two at a time, ready for the day. It was kids' day on the reservoir. A fishing contest was underway, and just for kids. No adults could fish, they could only help out if needed. The kids got to catch and reel in their fish. The one with the biggest fish wins! The prize is a new rod and reel and $100! No fish under five pounds would qualify.

Mom scolded me for being late for breakfast.

"Awe, leave her be, Sally" said Uncle Jake "she's too excited to eat." And he was right. He knew me better than his sister sometimes. He seemed to have 'kid sense' where most adults had plain forgotten it.

Mom smiled and handed me my sweatshirt. "Get going then, Lucy, we'll be out there in a few minutes."

Off I ran to the dock. It was only a stone's throw from our cabin. Dad was already there baiting our hooks and checking our reels.

"Mornin' darlin'" Dad said.

"Mornin'"

Caleb casted out just then to the left of the floating dock. His bait fell in the dull, green water with a loud "plop"! It sent ripples in large rings all around it.

"Ha, Ha! Beat ya! I'm first!" he cried, just like a loud mouthed brother.

"Quiet," Dad scolded "you'll scare the fish. A good fisherman keeps his eyes and ears open and his mouth shut." He winked at Caleb. Caleb looked away from Dad and scowled at me. That's okay, I thought to myself, I'll show him how to fish. I loved fishing. Dad taught me early, though I still had a hard time touching the slimy bait. I could tie on a hook or sinker though without help.

At last I was ready to cast. Up over my head I let it fly and land softly on the water.

"Nice cast" said Dad "Now where are all those catfish?"

This pond was known for its catfish and largemouth bass. There had been some trophy fish taken from here recently. Just maybe, I thought, I'll get a hook into one myself.

Just as I thought it, I felt a bite! A big tug on my line gave my heart a jump and my eyes popped wide open!

"Lucy, you have one. Just let him take it" Dad whispered.

I grabbed the reel with both hands. I wasn't going to let this go. One more tug and my rod bent down toward the water.

"Now,sink the hook, Lucy!" Dad called.

I pulled the rod up sharply like he taught me and began reeling in. This fish was a mighty whale to me.

"Dad! I don't know if I can hold him!" I cried "Help!"

"I can't, remember? You must bring it in yourself."

"Oh yeah, but can I?"

"I can" cried Caleb "Let me try!"

"Oh, no you don't! This one is mine, even if I lose him!" I yelled.

By now, Uncle Jake and Mom were running down the dock in their excitement.

"Looks like you hooked Moby Dick!" called Uncle Jake.

"Oh, Lucy, good for you!" Mom added. She kept her distance to give me room. I had to brace myself to keep from going over the side.

"Dad, help me! I can't hold on much longer!"

With a quick grab, Dad got a hold of me and the rod so that I could still reel it in. It was a long, slow reeling in on a very tight line! I was certain it would snap at any moment.

Caleb's eyes were wide as saucers. "Gee, Lucy, you're lucky to have one so soon and so big! But remember, you catch it, you clean it!"

He had to be a poor sport by saying such a thing. I knew he was just jealous.

"Settle down now, lets get this whopper landed" Dad replied.

Mom was ready with her camera, Uncle Jake got out his wallet.
The huge monster of a catfish surfaced and I could see his whiskers. His mouth was open and he struggled wildly. Dad did have to help me haul him in because he was so huge! His black, satiny skin shown in the orange mist rising from the water. In almost slow motion I felt a big jerk and lifting with the help of Dad guiding my hands to bring the big fish on deck. Uncle Jake came with the net and a hook. Plop! The great catfish landed and flopped on the dock. Quickly Uncle Jake grabbed his jaw with the hook. I landed him! The biggest fish I'd ever caught or seen with my own eyes lay at my feet!

"Wow, Lucy, you have no doubt won a prize! This may be the biggest catch of the day!" Dad shouted with glee. "Aren't you excited?"

My hands were shaky and almost numb. My heart beat wildly in my chest. "Yeah" I said, weakly. I didn't know if it was fear or excitement that made me feel that way. That fish was so big and it scared me still, even out of the water.

Caleb was all eyes. He was actually speechless this time. Not one word did he speak, only stared at me and the fish.

Mom snapped some pictures and Dad weighed and measured the fish. It took a rope to hold him up. I couldn't hold it without help, and we avoided his whiskers! It was a twenty-two pound channel catfish!

"Well, here's your dollar, Lucy" said Uncle Jake. "I feel embarrassed to give it to you, but you caught the first fish."

I kissed him on his hairy cheek and said, "Thank you."

Dad put me on his shoulders. Mom hummed merrily and said she needed to make a phonecall, so off she ran to the cabin.

Caleb looked sheepish, but congratulated me on my good luck. I guess he wasn't such a poor sport afterall.

"Can I have your old rod when you get your new one?" he asked. "It may be lucky."

"Yeah, you can have it" I agreed. "Who knows, maybe you can use it now and still fish for a bigger trophy."

"I think one trophy is enough for one day."

Uncle Jake put his hand on his shoulder. "You got that right, Caleb. Besides, she will need your help cleaning it!"

"Ha! Ha!" laughed Dad "She's going to need all our help!"

The day was long, but that morning was as short and clear in my mind like it was just yesterday.

An egret stood on the opposite shore in the mist, staring out at me. A lonely white sentinel watching over his misty domain. Frogs were sounding off in their loud cadence, nothing moved but the cool, orange mist rising from the water.

"Lucy, Uncle Jake is here" called Mom.

I slowly got up and looked toward the cabin. Family and friends were now arriving. It was my wedding day and I was about to have the best catch ever!

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