Single Male - SM5

“Oh damn,” yells your father, “I’m snagged,” as he was reeling in.

“Wait a minute, dad,” you say, “I don’t think that’s snag.  Look at your rod tip!  It’s vibrating.  Logs don’t do that. You’ve got a big fish on there.”

“You know, I think you’re right,” as he reels in slowly.  “Oh, it’s got to be a log.  It’s too big.”

“Dad, logs don’t shake the tip.  He’s trying to spit the hook. Just keep the pressure on and he’ll tire.”

The struggle between man and fish went on for 20 minutes.  Here a retired US Senator and his Presidential Cabinet member son are in the middle of a northern lake struggling with a fish after they have shared that the world is coming to an end.  There are times when you have to keep your priorities straight and these men are seeing to just that.

“My God!” the old man exclaims, “Is that a Walleye?”  The fish was more than three feet long and jet black on the back.  The belly was typical white, but the upper part of the fish was very dark.  Fortunately it was very tired as a pike of that size can be dangerous if he is fresh.  This one was worn out.

They got him in the boat and he thrashed weakly.“What do you think he weighs?” asked the Senator.

“At least 20 pounds!  Could be world record.  We should take him to the bait shop and do an official weighing,” you say honoring your dad’s trophy.

“Son, I think we should just eat the son-of-a-bitch and let it go at that given what is happening,” and on that you start the motor and head back to the cottage knowing this is your last fishing trip with your father as your mother will want to go home and prepare, for what you have no idea, but she will think of something.

The sound and smell of the old outboard are special now that you know it is the last time.  Last times are very special and rarely to we know when they are  happening. As the boat pulls up to the dock you dad stops you for a moment.

“Son, I don’t want to tell your mother now.  I don’t want to get her upset until we have to.  Tomorrow will be fine.  Let’s enjoy the fish tonight.  OK?”

“Sure dad…”

As you approach the cabin and your dad is carrying the giant Walleye your mother bursts out of the door.”

“My goodness!  What in the world?”

“We think this may be the largest Walleye ever caught.”

“Gracious, what are you going to do?”

“Eat it!” exclaims your father.

“You’re not going to have it weighed?”

“Sarah, if this is a world record fish they’ll be after me to run for the Senate again.”  

You watch as your mother’s face wrinkles a little, then:

“We’ll eat it,” she says.

You and he clean the monster fish as your mother rustles through the pantry looking for the large antique frying pan used by her mother.

Continue.