Diehard
What a start for a days fishing trip! It was pouring rain when Diehard entered the 24/7 Steak & Egg Restaurant. A dripping puddle formed at his feet when he paused to wipe the water from his eyes. To avoid tracking the water, he sat on a stool near the door of the small restaurant. He quickly recognized that the only person having breakfast was Sparky, a fellow employee from the local truck assembly plant. Sparky's job was to add six or eight spark plugs to every new truck engine as it passed on the assembly line moving toward Diehard, whose job it was to install the vehicle's battery. Diehard greeted Sparky and quickly learned that in spite of the bad weather, fish were biting near the dam and Sparky was headed in that direction as well. A lifelong friendship began when the two left the restaurant together on the very wet morning. As things happen, the river came swiftly over the dam that day and all the fish washed downstream. The two friends, however, vowed to fish once a week from then on. And… fish they did, in good weather and bad. Sparky was leery of bad days, but Diehard insisted that inclement weather was always the best time to fish. On bad days, Sparky ceased to ask whether or not they should go, because Diehard always went, regardless of the weather. On most days, Sparky ate a hurried breakfast. He always appeared at the restaurant on time, but Diehard had already had his coffee and was ready to leave. Sparky often reminded Diehard that some day either the weather or some other factor would prevent them from fishing. Diehard dismissed these other factor would prevent them from fishing. Diehard dismissed these dismal predictions and assured Sparky that nothing would ever stop them from wetting a line. Years passed, and in spite of hurricanes, tornadoes, thunder and lighting, they somehow always managed to fish on the scheduled day. Sparky knew that the law of averages was in his favor and that eventually, the day would come when a fishing trip wasn't going to happen Over time, Diehard accumulated the best foul weather gear available and a propane heater to warm his face and hands. He even purchased a 4X4 to assure his arrival to the launch ramp in very bad weather. On a cold dark morning in mid February, they towed their new Jon boat to a private bass pond. They found the key hidden under a rock, and unlocked the gate to the property. The aluminum boat bounced on the trailer down the dirt road to the water. This was Diehards first launch attempt with the new boat in the dark. Sparky jumped out to detach the tie downs & give directions. Diehard slowly backed the rig toward the water's edge. After several unsuccessful attempts to align the trailer with the launch ramp, Diehard became perturbed. Sparky's daunting directions did not help the situation. Diehard finally straightened the rig, and on his next attempt, he impatiently rushed backwards much faster that he should have. With a loud crashing noise, the rig came to an abrupt halt. Diehard jumped from the truck to find Sparky rolling with laughter. "I knew it, I knew it, and I knew it!" "Knew, what?" Diehard shouted. Sparky's spotlight shone on the frozen pond, and the boat and trailer that had broken through four inches of ice. The day of reckoning had finally arrived. 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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