River Fishing

RIVER FISHING After school my friend and I would walk through town to the river Soon to bait our trout lines with cotton cake, crawdads and liver. Sometimes we used baby bullheads, perch or great big frogs Tossing out into the current next to a snag of logs. At times we would disrobe and wade out in the stream Attaching lines to anything hoping to hook our dream. One day I made some doe bait and stuffed it in my sock Attached five hooks, hundred pound line and tied it to a rock. When I bragged to my classmates they snickered and called me fool Till the next day they followed me to the river after school. I made my way to the water my path was a fallen tree Something big was on my line it was easy for us to see. I tried to pull it in but the current was too strong Three boys ran to assist me as we began to sing a song. Going fishing instead of wishing for the granddaddy of them all If we land this monster will give the sport shows a call. It seemed like forever before our beast was ashore Eighty-five pounds of flathead cat as big as a closet door. We shared his steaks at a fish fry, food for heart and soul Took his head and nailed it high for all to see on a pole. For a time we ceased our casting instead we chased the girls After marriage with our kids we again fished the swirls. Too many of my friends have past and the years have raced by Though here I sit with rod in hand a fisherman till I die. By Tom Zart