Jon Lands a Fish

He was laughing like crazy as he watched. The expression on both their faces showed just how much fun they were having. Jon would lean way back as he attempted to pull that fish into shore. The fish was just not coming as easily as Jon had hoped. With the rod bent like a rainbow and Jon using every bit of strength he could muster he fought valiantly until the fish swirled right in front of him splashing water all over him. He could not believe that a catfish would do something like that to him. He pulled a little harder and the fish finally came to shore. Dad reached down and picked up the fish and held it high for all the other fishermen to see. And it was to show off a little what his young son could do. They quickly measured and weighed the fish. It was keeping length by 6 full inches and weighed in excess of 9 lbs. A long lean fish, but it was a keeper by law. If Jon decided to do so he could let him go. He thought for a moment, then said let's let him go, I want to try to catch another one that's a little bigger. The decision had been made and everyone watched as Sir Jon lowered the fish into the water and it swam away quickly. Jon watched laughing as the fish went deeper and deeper until it was out of sight. A quick high five to his dad and Mike and it was off to set up for yet another try at a big catfish. The guys watched as Jon cast his line out. "He is getting good at casting," said Mike. We need lots of people who are good at casting like that. There would be more time fishing and less time straightening out line messes. Just as Mike and Paul were getting into a good conversation they both got strong hits. A couple of moments later they were both embroiled in their own fish battles. Paul called to Jon to come help him land his fish. Jon was right there ready to help in any way he could. When Paul got the fish close to shore Jon reached down and picked the fish out of the water just wiggling and twisting wildly. He nearly dropped it. Once it was safely on shore Paul called over to Mike to see if he needed any help with his fish. Mike replied, "not yet, he's still got lots of energy." Mike continued to battle the fish with all his strength. That fish was showing no signs of giving up easy. Mike finally managed to pull his fish to within twenty yards of the shore. Everyone's eyes got big when the fish created a huge boil on the surface and dove for the deep water. "Just a little one," said Mike. What a surprise when he finally landed his fish and found it was only good enough for third place overall. Jon had managed to move into first place with his long slender fish and Paul was solidly in second place. However, there was lots of fishing yet to come in this little contest of theirs. All three of them had their lines in the water and sat there for nearly an hour working over that little section of river. Mike finally pulled his line in and went back to the camp and started a fire so he could make dinner for them while they continued to fish.