Catawba Cat 2
| Charlie walked into the River City Tackle Shop and asked if anyone had seen Catawba Cat. Sam, the owner, nodded that he had not. He told Charlie that the "Catfish Man" was off on another adventure and would probably have some interesting tales to tell when he returned. Charlie commented that he caught a fifty-two-pound flathead the last time he fished with Catawba. About that time, Catawba Cat entered the tackle shop. He was dressed in his finest camouflaged clothing. The expression on his face was one of a man with a story to tell. Sam, standing behind the register, rang the ship's bell three times. The signal was for all to gather near the spinner bait section to hear Catawba's latest tale. Within minutes a crowd had formed and the "Catfish Man" began to spin his yarn. He claimed that since his last visit to the tackle shop, he had actually been on an eventful hunting trip. Ralph, a local rabbit hunter asked, "What type of hunting trip?" Catawba replied, "It began as a deer hunting trip, but it got more exciting than that." Now, he had everyone's attention. It seems that a few weeks before the deer season opened, his hunting club baited a creek bottom with ears of corn. Each morning, and again at dusk, a herd of deer gathered to feast on the offering. Opening day found Catawba sitting in a deer stand with his rifle aimed at the corn pile. Near sunrise he heard what sounded like a herd of deer wading down the creek. As the sound became closer and louder, Catawba readied his rifle. The large gray object that appeared in the creek willows was not the deer he was expecting. The animal was a huge African elephant. The tackle shop crowd did not believe what they were hearing. "A big eared elephant in the middle of a South Carolina cotton field is totally impossible," shouted Ralph, the rabbit hunter! Undaunted, Catawba continued his story. He knew his gun was no match for the giant pachyderm, so he engaged the safety and hunkered down, hoping the elephant would leave. Instead, it stayed to eat corn for what seemed like hours, before it finally decided to turn and tramp its way back toward the creek. Catawba then jumped from the stand and ran back to camp. On the way, he vowed not to say a word to anyone about his experience. He knew that nobody would ever believe him this time. When everyone was back at camp, the local game warden paid a visit. He checked licenses and inspected the deer hanging from an oak tree. As he was leaving, he asked if anyone had seen a herd of elephants. No one answered the question, not even Catawba. The warden explained that the adjacent farm property had been leased by a large traveling circus for the animals to exercise and roam. He warned the hunters not to shoot if they should see an elephant or a hippopotamus. The warden's comments ruined any hope of Catawba making a big impression on his hunting friends. Someone later asked him how many deer he had. He answered that he didn't hunt, but went fishing instead. Catawba, went on to claim that he caught the biggest catfish ever taken on a rod and reel. He explained that as he was landing the fish, a thunderstorm rolled down the creek. It rained ice pellets the size of a truck's tire and he was getting pounded. He searched for protection from the storm, but could not find a place to hide. He finally did what any good fisherman would do. He pried opened the mouth of the catfish and climbed inside until the storm passed. ...........Be reminded that small fish have large tales! Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a full time Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' with Gus! at http://www.fishingwithgus.com/ or call 704 617 6812. For additional information, e-mail him at Gus@LakeNorman.com. |
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| June 2005 |