The Excellent Way #7

The fish kept biting.

As the afternoon continued, the scores rose. No one thought about it during the contest. But afterwards, the number of fish boated and released seriously amazed Boone and grandpa. They would talk about it long after their time on the water ended. By the time the fisherman found themselves in the west bay of Rock Lake, the score was 14 for Noah, 12 for Boone and 3 each for grandpa and Weston. It appeared that Boone might actually go ahead of Noah. Boone tried to earn 5 points for the northern he caught. His reasoning was a northern pike is a stronger, more active and usually larger game fish. Boone debated with the others that he should earn 5 points simply because it was a northern pike. It was the first pike caught in the competition. Everyone else in the boat wasn’t buying Boone’s argument. It was grandpa who acted as the judge for the contest and ended Boone’s attempt to score extra points.

“Boone, sorry, but that fish is barely 6 inches long. It should be at least twice that size. And even a 12-inch northern is still a “hammer handle.” Sorry, Mr. Fisherman, we cannot award you with 5 points. You can still count this one on your score-add another point.”

It was Weston. “Grandpa, did you say “hammer handle? We’re not pounding nails are we, aren’t we fishing?”

“Yes, Weston, I did say “hammer handle.” No, we are not pounding nails. “Hammer handle” is how pike fisherman describe a small northern. Since northerns are naturally slender fish-especially small ones, a small or short northern looks similar to the handle of a hammer. That’s where “hammer handle” came from. Boone’s fish is “half a hammer handle.”

“Aww, Grandpa, it is still a northern, can’t I have 5 points?” Boone was not willing to see a chance for the lead end without a second try.

“I know you’d like to take the lead Boone, but no extra points for this little one.” Grandpa’s words ended the discussion. Noah’s words stirred it back to life.

“Boone, if that fish were human, it would still be wearing diapers!”

That comment broke the concentration and quiet in the boat. Everyone talked at once.

“Come on Noah, it was small, but you have not caught a northern today.” This was Boone’s weak attempt to defend himself.

“Diapers!? Diapers! Ha! Ha! Who ever thought a fish would wear diapers?” Weston was completely amused by thought of a fish wearing diapers. He laughed again. Then added a comment Boone would be unable to leave alone. “That fish was too small to wear diapers.”

“Aww, come on Weston, not you too?” There was disappointment in Boone’s voice. Then he saw the situation the way the others did. “You guys are right. It was way too small. But I’ll take the point. That gives me 13. I almost got you Noah!”

As the unofficial judge, and the official responsible person in the boat, grandpa realized it was time to set an ending for the competition. They were expected at home by grandma who was preparing the evening at 5:30 pm. Grandpa announced with his official sounding voice:

“Contest ends in 30 minutes!” Three lines zipped out of the boat. Weston was still game, even though he had no chance of catching either Boone or Noah who had never lost his lead since the first fish.

He would end up as the winner.

Boone did catch a small sunfish. But Noah added a sunfish and a crappie to his fish total. As the time ran out, Noah had 16 points, Boone was close behind with 14 and Weston and grandpa were stuck at 3 fish each.

With the contest “officially” over, Weston added a thoughtful gesture which put a smile on everyone’s faces. He reached his hand out to Noah…

“Congratulations Mr. Champion Fisherman!” Then he turned to Boone.

“Congratulations Mr. Runner-Up Champion!” He said this with a big smile as he shook Boone’s hand.

“Congratulations Mr. Last place with me-grandpa!” Weston gave grandpa a hearty handshake that put a big grin on grandpa’s face.

The trip from High Rock Lake was cheerful. It was three grandsons and a grandpa enjoying each other’s company. All four of them were refreshed by the beauty of the lake and fish. Can a boy’s heart be full? There’s were. Grandpa’s was. The four of them would remember this day for a long time. Time spent outside is never wasted.

As they backed the boat into the “boat garage” Weston kept watch that the boat didn’t hit the garage door or grandpa’s lawnmower already parked inside. Boone helped unhitch the boat and the three of them pushed the boat the final distance into its garage parking space. The boat would sit in the dark quiet of the garage overnight. A new fishing team would use it the very next day-Sunday evening.

“Wish we had a few fish to clean.” Boone broke the silence in the garage with his statement. It was grandpa who responded. His answer surprised both boys.

“Actually, I am glad we don’t have any fish to clean. I’m ready to sit down and rest. It’s been a long afternoon.” Grandpa said softly as he watched the boys’ faces. He must have seen their surprise. He added,

“Don’t misunderstand boys, this afternoon was wonderful. Cleaning fish right now would not make our fishing contest any better. Actually, I’m glad all those bass are still swimming in High Rock Lake. There will be fish to clean another time.”

Grandpa was a prophet and didn’t know it.

Twenty-four hours later, he would be cleaning fish.