Usually, whenever I hear someone refer to a fishing lure as their favorite I feel the statement is not based on sound scientific data but more on sentimentality and superstition. Although there are the exceptions when someone has taken to a fishing lure based on the actual results obtained by its use. If I remember correctly, these two opposing situations actually came head to head once in Texas when a Game Warden went fishing with his friend. I believe the warden’s name was Wally, that’s it… Wally the Warden.
Now Wally knew all about fishing and enjoyed the sport very much. In fact he loved the outdoors life in general and preserving it for all to enjoy equally was a big reason why Wally wanted to be a Warden. On the other hand Wally’s friend Fred, who also loved the outdoors, was more of a take what you want and to heck with the rest kinda guy.
Wally and Fred both had the same Friday off and decided to go fishing. They agreed to take Fred’s boat on this trip because Wally felt like he had to make amends. A week or so earlier, over a few beers at a bar, Wally referred to Fred’s boat as a floating piece of crap with a motor on it. You see, Fred was not much for frills. His boat met all the legal codes and requirements but that’s about it. Wally on the other hand was more of a “state of the art” type fellow.
The sun was just coming up over the horizon as the two were streaking across the lake headed toward their favorite fishing spot. They were both in good spirits and had high expectation of the day’s catch, but Wally was a bit worried. All Fred brought with him was a tackle box, large scoop net and an umbrella. Wally couldn’t see a rod and reel anywhere. Knowing that Fred could be a rather odd duck at times he didn’t say anything. Besides, there was a friendly rivalry between to two when it came to fishing and usually a small wager of some sort was part of each outing. Wally had no trouble at all in taking advantage of Fred’s eccentricities when given the chance.
Wally was well ahead in winning the wagers at this point. On this trip he had brought his finest rod and reel and a tackle box full of everything any fishing master could imagine. And all of it was top of the line stuff too. There sat Fred, one nondescript tackle box, umbrella and a scoop net.
About half way to the fishing spot Wally could no longer ignore the situation. He turned around and looked at Fred, who had a firm grip of the control arm coming off of the motor mounted on the back of the boat and his baseball style hat stuffed down on his head as far as it could go. In a loud voice, in order to be heard over the buzz of the motor, Wally said, “With all the fish I’m going to catch I am sure glad you brought that net along.” Fred just looked at Wally and with a supremely confident grin spread across his face just nodded back. Seeing that was the only response he was going to get out of Fred, Wally turned back around and once again faced the chilly morning air rushing past his face.
As the boat started slowing down Wally readied his gear. Before it came to a stop he stood up and made his first cast. The lure landing right in the middle of a hole that had always produced a good size catch in prior trips. Sure enough, “Wham” a three pounder pounced on the lure the second it hit the water. Wally jerked back on the rod and a good size tussle ensued between fisherman and fish.
Before Fred even dropped the anchor Wally had hooked his first fish of the day. Once Wally wrangled it on board he held the fish high, looked down at Fred, who was still seated, and gloated, “Now that’s one fine fish huh Fred.” Fred looked up, scooted his cap back high on his head and said, “It’s a whopper Wally”.
Wally then whirled around and with a masterful whip of his rod cast the lure dead center into another prodigiously productive spot several feet from the first. This time it was a three and a half pounder Wally latched onto. As he flopped the fish into the live well he caught sight of Fred out of the corner of his eye. Seemingly unconcerned Fred was fumbling for something in his tackle box. With another cast Wally hauled in another fish as Fred frittered around, digging in his tackle box until he finally found what he was fumbling for - a cigarette lighter.
With lighter in hand Fred started patting down his fishing vest now searching for something else. Fred’s frivolous attitude towards this whole trip started to unnerve Wally. Not hearing more than a handful of words since they started, Wally facetiously ask Fred, “So Fred tell me, you gonna talk all day or you gonna fish?”
“All in good time my friend,” Fred retorted with another big grim as he pulled a cigar out from the inside of his jacket, lit it and leaned back.
Standing motionless for a few moments Wally just stared at Fred… then made his next cast directly over his head. “Nice form. I bet that rod and reel set you back a pretty penny?” Fred remarked. Wally responded, “And it’s been worth every one of those pennies.” After working the lure back in toward the boat for a few seconds a mighty jerk bent the rod almost in half, Wally reared back to set the hook, let out at big whoop, looked at Fred and said, “Jumping frijoles Fred, that’s four fish in four casts. Looks like I’m well on my way to wining the wager now.
With the tackle box sitting between his feet Fred look up and boasted, “Don’t worry Wally. I’m going catch three times as many fish as you will today.” At that Fred pulled up the anchor and started setting up the trolling motor.
Finally Fred seemed like he was fixin’ to go into action. He picked up the empty net and started passing it back and forth through the water. Wally’s curiosity and concerned about Fred freaky demeanor started to get the best of him. He blurted out, “Now what are you doing?” Fred replied with what had now become a permanent grin on is face “I’m getting ready to start hauling in all the fish I’m going to catch.”
Wally’s wondering and worrying about Fred’s behavior had now turned into frustration. With an errant flip or his rod he flicked his next cast into the trees, he then exclaimed, “What a freakin’ Friday fiasco this has turned out to be.
As Wally tugged and pulled on the line trying to free his ensnared lure Fred suggested, “Just cut the line.” With a what’s-the-matter-with-you look Wally scolded in disbelief, “This is my favorite lure.” Shaking his head Fred replied, “Whatever Wally” then reached into his tackle box and pulled out a cylindrical object that had a fuse sticking out of one end.
In the middle of his tugging, Wally noticed Fred’s activity and turned to see what he was up to. In shock he blustered out, “That’s a quarter stick of dynamite Fred. What are you going to do with that? Puffing deeply on his cigar Fred proudly said, “This is my favorite lure Wally.” He then took the cigar, lit the fuse and as Wally’s mouth hung wide open in disbelief, pitched it about twenty feet out into the lake.
Boooommmm!!!! A torrent of water shot straight up into the air as the sound of the blast reverberated off of the opposite shore. Wally immediately cut the line and wailed at the top of his lungs, JeesssuussChrist Fred!!!!!!, what in the hell do you think you’re doing.” At that same moment the wash from the explosion slammed into the side of the boat knocking Wally on his butt. Fred had just managed to get his umbrella opened as the wall of water falling out of the sky drenched Wally to the bone.
As Wally coughed and gagged from the deluge, Fred started the trolling motor and headed out to ground zero. In a few seconds, dead fish started popping up all over the place. Scooping in his catch Fred then gloated, “Wow Wally, it took you for four casts to catch only four fish. It only took me one to catch, well let’s see now, I count at least fifteen at the moment.” With a big toothy grin, Fred looked up a Wally and said, “Boy that boom bait sure packs a wallop doesn’t it Wally.”
Wally was livid. With his back side planted squarely on the seat and his knuckles turning white from the vice like grip he was holding on with, Wally hollered back, “What is the matter with you. Using any kind of explosive or electrical devise to kill fish is against the law. I am an officer of that law and friend or no friend I will throw your sorry criminal carcass in jail for this stunt.
Calmly puffing on his cigar Fred leaned back a bit and said, “Now how are you going to do that without throwing your sorry criminal carcass in jail along side of mine. After all, we are fishing together and using the same tactics aren’t we?”
Wally locked eyes with Fred and a bit lower in volume, but not intensity, asked, “What in the hell are you talking about. I am not using the same tactics you are.”
Fred looks down into his tackle box for a second and then glanced up at Wally. Along with the ever present smile Fred now had a twinkle in his eye as he comments, “Oh Yeah”. He reaches back down into the tackle box and brings out another one of his “lures”. Wally goes into another tirade as Fred puffs intensely on his cigar.
With the butt of the cigar glowing bright red Fred takes it out on his mouth, points it at Wally and in a loud commanding voice announces, “So Wally, tell me”… in an almost daze Wally shuts up and listens as Fred asks, “You gonna talk all day”… he then lights the fuse, pitches the stick of dynamite into Wally lap and continues, “Or you gonna fish?”
Jim
Home Page
Now Wally knew all about fishing and enjoyed the sport very much. In fact he loved the outdoors life in general and preserving it for all to enjoy equally was a big reason why Wally wanted to be a Warden. On the other hand Wally’s friend Fred, who also loved the outdoors, was more of a take what you want and to heck with the rest kinda guy.
Wally and Fred both had the same Friday off and decided to go fishing. They agreed to take Fred’s boat on this trip because Wally felt like he had to make amends. A week or so earlier, over a few beers at a bar, Wally referred to Fred’s boat as a floating piece of crap with a motor on it. You see, Fred was not much for frills. His boat met all the legal codes and requirements but that’s about it. Wally on the other hand was more of a “state of the art” type fellow.
The sun was just coming up over the horizon as the two were streaking across the lake headed toward their favorite fishing spot. They were both in good spirits and had high expectation of the day’s catch, but Wally was a bit worried. All Fred brought with him was a tackle box, large scoop net and an umbrella. Wally couldn’t see a rod and reel anywhere. Knowing that Fred could be a rather odd duck at times he didn’t say anything. Besides, there was a friendly rivalry between to two when it came to fishing and usually a small wager of some sort was part of each outing. Wally had no trouble at all in taking advantage of Fred’s eccentricities when given the chance.
Wally was well ahead in winning the wagers at this point. On this trip he had brought his finest rod and reel and a tackle box full of everything any fishing master could imagine. And all of it was top of the line stuff too. There sat Fred, one nondescript tackle box, umbrella and a scoop net.
About half way to the fishing spot Wally could no longer ignore the situation. He turned around and looked at Fred, who had a firm grip of the control arm coming off of the motor mounted on the back of the boat and his baseball style hat stuffed down on his head as far as it could go. In a loud voice, in order to be heard over the buzz of the motor, Wally said, “With all the fish I’m going to catch I am sure glad you brought that net along.” Fred just looked at Wally and with a supremely confident grin spread across his face just nodded back. Seeing that was the only response he was going to get out of Fred, Wally turned back around and once again faced the chilly morning air rushing past his face.
As the boat started slowing down Wally readied his gear. Before it came to a stop he stood up and made his first cast. The lure landing right in the middle of a hole that had always produced a good size catch in prior trips. Sure enough, “Wham” a three pounder pounced on the lure the second it hit the water. Wally jerked back on the rod and a good size tussle ensued between fisherman and fish.
Before Fred even dropped the anchor Wally had hooked his first fish of the day. Once Wally wrangled it on board he held the fish high, looked down at Fred, who was still seated, and gloated, “Now that’s one fine fish huh Fred.” Fred looked up, scooted his cap back high on his head and said, “It’s a whopper Wally”.
Wally then whirled around and with a masterful whip of his rod cast the lure dead center into another prodigiously productive spot several feet from the first. This time it was a three and a half pounder Wally latched onto. As he flopped the fish into the live well he caught sight of Fred out of the corner of his eye. Seemingly unconcerned Fred was fumbling for something in his tackle box. With another cast Wally hauled in another fish as Fred frittered around, digging in his tackle box until he finally found what he was fumbling for - a cigarette lighter.
With lighter in hand Fred started patting down his fishing vest now searching for something else. Fred’s frivolous attitude towards this whole trip started to unnerve Wally. Not hearing more than a handful of words since they started, Wally facetiously ask Fred, “So Fred tell me, you gonna talk all day or you gonna fish?”
“All in good time my friend,” Fred retorted with another big grim as he pulled a cigar out from the inside of his jacket, lit it and leaned back.
Standing motionless for a few moments Wally just stared at Fred… then made his next cast directly over his head. “Nice form. I bet that rod and reel set you back a pretty penny?” Fred remarked. Wally responded, “And it’s been worth every one of those pennies.” After working the lure back in toward the boat for a few seconds a mighty jerk bent the rod almost in half, Wally reared back to set the hook, let out at big whoop, looked at Fred and said, “Jumping frijoles Fred, that’s four fish in four casts. Looks like I’m well on my way to wining the wager now.
With the tackle box sitting between his feet Fred look up and boasted, “Don’t worry Wally. I’m going catch three times as many fish as you will today.” At that Fred pulled up the anchor and started setting up the trolling motor.
Finally Fred seemed like he was fixin’ to go into action. He picked up the empty net and started passing it back and forth through the water. Wally’s curiosity and concerned about Fred freaky demeanor started to get the best of him. He blurted out, “Now what are you doing?” Fred replied with what had now become a permanent grin on is face “I’m getting ready to start hauling in all the fish I’m going to catch.”
Wally’s wondering and worrying about Fred’s behavior had now turned into frustration. With an errant flip or his rod he flicked his next cast into the trees, he then exclaimed, “What a freakin’ Friday fiasco this has turned out to be.
As Wally tugged and pulled on the line trying to free his ensnared lure Fred suggested, “Just cut the line.” With a what’s-the-matter-with-you look Wally scolded in disbelief, “This is my favorite lure.” Shaking his head Fred replied, “Whatever Wally” then reached into his tackle box and pulled out a cylindrical object that had a fuse sticking out of one end.
In the middle of his tugging, Wally noticed Fred’s activity and turned to see what he was up to. In shock he blustered out, “That’s a quarter stick of dynamite Fred. What are you going to do with that? Puffing deeply on his cigar Fred proudly said, “This is my favorite lure Wally.” He then took the cigar, lit the fuse and as Wally’s mouth hung wide open in disbelief, pitched it about twenty feet out into the lake.
Boooommmm!!!! A torrent of water shot straight up into the air as the sound of the blast reverberated off of the opposite shore. Wally immediately cut the line and wailed at the top of his lungs, JeesssuussChrist Fred!!!!!!, what in the hell do you think you’re doing.” At that same moment the wash from the explosion slammed into the side of the boat knocking Wally on his butt. Fred had just managed to get his umbrella opened as the wall of water falling out of the sky drenched Wally to the bone.
As Wally coughed and gagged from the deluge, Fred started the trolling motor and headed out to ground zero. In a few seconds, dead fish started popping up all over the place. Scooping in his catch Fred then gloated, “Wow Wally, it took you for four casts to catch only four fish. It only took me one to catch, well let’s see now, I count at least fifteen at the moment.” With a big toothy grin, Fred looked up a Wally and said, “Boy that boom bait sure packs a wallop doesn’t it Wally.”
Wally was livid. With his back side planted squarely on the seat and his knuckles turning white from the vice like grip he was holding on with, Wally hollered back, “What is the matter with you. Using any kind of explosive or electrical devise to kill fish is against the law. I am an officer of that law and friend or no friend I will throw your sorry criminal carcass in jail for this stunt.
Calmly puffing on his cigar Fred leaned back a bit and said, “Now how are you going to do that without throwing your sorry criminal carcass in jail along side of mine. After all, we are fishing together and using the same tactics aren’t we?”
Wally locked eyes with Fred and a bit lower in volume, but not intensity, asked, “What in the hell are you talking about. I am not using the same tactics you are.”
Fred looks down into his tackle box for a second and then glanced up at Wally. Along with the ever present smile Fred now had a twinkle in his eye as he comments, “Oh Yeah”. He reaches back down into the tackle box and brings out another one of his “lures”. Wally goes into another tirade as Fred puffs intensely on his cigar.
With the butt of the cigar glowing bright red Fred takes it out on his mouth, points it at Wally and in a loud commanding voice announces, “So Wally, tell me”… in an almost daze Wally shuts up and listens as Fred asks, “You gonna talk all day”… he then lights the fuse, pitches the stick of dynamite into Wally lap and continues, “Or you gonna fish?”
Jim
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