mastercraftsman

Several moments of insight on this fine day. It was still dark and freezing when the phone rang this morning. A buddy is telling me that he just got lucky cast netting and has way more large shad than he can use and if I want some free bait to meet him at the dock in 45 minutes. I hopped up and hooked up the boat, let the truck warm up while I went and gathered up my gear and a thermos of coffee. It only took me a half hour to get there. So out on the water I puttered around half- heartedly, watching the images on my sonar. I was toasty in my mustang suit, and the only boat for miles. I trolled the thermocline, then the underwater mounds near the dam. My mindset really wasn't into it, and I ended up anchored and asleep with three baits swimming. Suddenly I was awakened by all three drags screaming and all rods doubled over and shaking wildly. I think my heart almost exploded as I grabbed the port rod and walked it around the bow as the fish swam under the boat and crossed the other lines. If you ever want to hear some creative cussing, just be around when something like this happens. All the lines went slack within three seconds. I roared with all my might aross the lake. For years I've been after the state record blue cat. My best was a couple years ago at 35lbs. The record was last year at 85lbs, by some old fart.
So I went home skunked, which has never happened before. I'll always catch some little shit just on principle. But I hadn't the heart today. For some reason a bald eagle was in a tree in my yard. I've only seen two here in NC, one in the mountains and one about 60 miles north of here at Tuckertown Reservoir. I started drinking before I even got all my gear stowed....