Father's Day Fish Story

It was Father's Day. my family had bought me a beautiful set of waders to use with my new hobby of fishing. To celebrate the day and to give me a chance to try out my new present, we climbed into the car and drove to the Deschutes River in Yelm, where we were considering buying a river lot. The setting was inviting. We were in a wooded area on the banks of the river. We could hear the birds singing and the continuous running water of the stream.

I climbed into my new waders and grabbed my spinning rod. The water was running high, so I was nervous about slipping on the rocky bottom. I looked at my family standing on the bank watching me. I was on the spot. I couldn't back down now. Ahead of me was the swirling water. Once in I felt the current pulling up my legs. The footing was treacherous. I started wondering when I was going to have fun fishing. So far the work of keeping my feet and hoping I didn't drown was taking all my attention.

Somewhere I have read that fish like to hide behind rocks. In the middle of the river was a protruding boulder with the swirling water bubbling around it. A fish had to be lurking in the slack water behind the rock. I cast my lure on the boulder and pulled it into the slack water. I felt the pull of the line. The rod tip dipped. A Fish!! all excited I reeled in line. My feet were slipping. With a super effort, I kept from taking a bath. For the next five minutes I fought to keep from losing the fish and at the same time keep my balance. My family on the bank, as excited as myself, shouted instructions and encouragement.

Finally, the fish tired. I carefully took the hook out of his mouth and held them up for all to see. He was a beautiful 14 inch rainbow trout. This fishing is great. But what's this? My wife, Ronnie, says "That fish is cute, please let him go."

I say "You're crazy! It's my first fish." She says "But it's so cute, look at its eyes."

I look and I am surprised at how expensive express it in brown they are -- like limpid pools of sensitivity. The fish looks at me with his bulging soulful eyes. Then I hear or I think I hear the fish say "Yeah I'm cute."

I say, "Christ. I can't throw you back. You're my first fish." I must be off my rocker. I'm talking to a fish.

Then he says "I'm too cute to eat. Besides, it's Father's Day and I'm a father."

He really got to me, talking like that. I say "What the hell!" and throw him back in the water. My kids must think I'm nuts. Before the talking fish with the expressive eyes flips his tail and swims the way he looks at me with a twinkle in his eyes. He has a smile on his lips. Or is he laughing at me,? Maybe he figures he is outsmarted me. Perhaps he's right, but somehow I feel good about letting him go. I guess the kids are right. I must be some kind of nut. From now on I'll refrain from looking at in a fish's eyes or talking to one.