Black Hole In the Creek

Oh yeah if you’re a fisherman, and you’re rung up by a mate, there’s always time to put down tools with no need to contemplate, ‘cause fishing has that magic draw to take you to your peak - and evening is always best to fish in the ‘Labi’ creek. So ‘Stalky’ Bill knocks on my door with his even thinner son - by the time we reach the ‘Labi’ banks the daylight’s nearly done. And so the water’s looking black, in the shallows and the holes, where blackfish seek the bait we choose, in their night time patrols. Of course there is another bait that goes with fishing too. It comes in a flip top can. (The bait’s a Carlton brew) And if you drink too much of it one’s actions become slow. Thank God ‘Stalkys’ son don’t drink or perhaps we’d never know The rod was bouncing at its tip; a sign to race the heart. “We’ve got ourselves a ‘blackie” Bill was slurring at the start. He was yelling orders out to Paul “For ‘chrissake’ use the net!” As up and down the ‘blackie’ tore, but he couldn’t land it yet. Bill was straining as he lifted his rod, then reeled the line. The ‘blackie’ splashed and struggled as Paul let the net incline. “I’ve got him Dad!” He shouted; then “Gawd!” I heard him speak. This time the rod went with it in the black hole of the creek. “You useless flamin’ twit” Bill yelled. Then he screamed out “Oh no! Now me’ bloody rod’s gone in! Right Son. Strip off and in you go”. Paul’s protesting bought on anger. (‘Twas from the beer Paul loathed) Now he’s searching in the creek, and he’s searching fully clothed. “I’ve found it Dad” Paul passed the rod back on the bank to ‘Stalky’ Bill, who started winding in the line before his high pitched shrill. “He’s still there! He’s still hooked on. This time don’t take a week”. After thirty minutes in the dark - lifted the ‘blackie’ from the creek. “Strike me” I said “This blokes on fire, he’s led youse everywhere”. And even in the black of night, I could see a covering of hair. ‘A covering of hair?’ I thought; ‘It ain’t the ‘blackie’ that we know’ - After pulling out the damaged hook, the platypus was free to go.