The Big Fish

One time the family was planning a fish fry at my
grandad's pond. This was always fun because everybody
fished that day till enough fish were caught. I was in
my early teens and fishing was my favorite passtime.
My dad had made my mom a small one person boat. Just
big enough for her and the two small dogs that went
with her. Nobody bothered that boat without my moms
permission.Anyway, at this time I had permission to
use the boat. So I paddled about in the pond looking
for the right spot. I found it and dropped my hook
beside some tupelo bushes. I caught a few small ones
maybe four or five. Then I got the big one! He was big
enough to pull the boat around in the pond. I thought
maybe I had a crappie, and I did. I was enjoying
playing the fish and letting him tire so I could get
him in the boat. Then I heard my uncle on the bank.
"Hold him Jerrie", don't let him get away". "I won't"
I replied. It was just about as much fun watching him
walking up and down the bank twisting his hands as it
was catching the fish. Well I finally got the fish in
the boat. ButI had to put him under my leg to keep him
from flipping back in the pond. When I had him secure,
I paddled to the bank and got out with my fish. My
uncle sure thought I was going to lose him tho! The
fish fry that evening was great. Everyone talked about
my catch. It was the biggest fish of the day. But I
showed my uncle that I knew what I was doing. Then one time....