Fishing Tales

TWO pieces inspired by the painting "Fishing Tales" by Pat Earl.

Gone Fishin'
by Laura Orr

There was nothing like it, pre-dawn dark and still
Mist rising off the Lake, camp quiet, an occasional cough or snore breaking the silence.
Quick hurried movements to dress in the chill of early morning.
Having paid scant attention to comb or wash.
Whispers and gestures between us as we gathered our tackle and bait.
Easing away from shore as soft silvery ripples, gurgled and lapped against our boat.
A smile, the touch of his warm hand, as we made way to "the" spot!
Settled in readiness now to greet the dawn, perhaps catching breakfast
if our bait was good and our patience long!
The call of birds, the sucking sound as water passed through shoreline weeds.
Slowly the sun rose to herald a new day!
The mist cleared, and warmth spread over us like butter on toast.
Our comfortable silence broke into companionable chatter as we cleaned our catch.
Heading back with smiles of satisfaction, our arrival timed to share the feast.
I was only a young girl, but my memory does not dim.
Of golden summers spent in the joyful company of my Dad!
I still go fishing, on an early summer's morn, within my mind and heart.
Reliving what he gave to me, when once he shared his time, his patience and his love!

Fishing Tales
by Dian Bowers

Two men are fishing.
"Hey McPhee, have you caught anything yet?" asked Murphy.
"Just a nibble or two." said McPhee,"
It was a morning that fishermen dream of. Foggy, quiet, with the lake surface like glass and a best friend by your side with which to commiserate. So on such morning what was there to commiserate about?
"McPhee, Whatcha using for bait."
"Can't tell ya, it's a secret."
"Oh, come on. You can tell your lifelong friend, I won't tell."
"Nope, it's a secret."
"Well I'll be darn. Aren't you afraid that I will steal your precious secret just by sitting beside you? Just one minute, McPhee, I smell peanut butter. Is that your secret?"
"No, that's my lunch, do you want some?
There was a sudden jerk of McPhee's fishing rod. It took Murphy and McPhee to reel in a thirty pound salmon. It had become a PERFECT day of fishing.
"Mc Phee, now will you tell me what your secret bait is?" Murphy pleaded.
"My friend, it's anchovies. That is how you catch a big fish, with a little fish. That's my secret."
"Yes, but it's our secret now."