by Deborah Hardy

Created on: January 23, 2009

I gaze out my French doors onto the peaceful waters below. The sun is shinning and there is a gentle breeze. Ah, it looks like a prefect day for fishing. I grab my rod and reel, a box of worms and head out the door. I walk briskly across the yard to the bank of the Amite River. Waiting for me, nestled underneath the trees, is my favorite lawn chair.

I inspect my gear to make sure everything is in order. My egg shaped weight is tied about two feet above my hook. Catfish are bottom feeders, so when the weight sinks into the muddy waters below the hook will float just off the bottom. My hook of choice is the circle hook, which I jokingly refer to as the crazy hook. It allows you to catch more fish in the corner of the mouth and reduces the chance of the hook being swallowed. I use a spinning reel with ten-pound test fishing line, which I tug on to make sure there are no weak spots. Nothing could be more aggravating then losing your prize catch just before it reaches the bank.

I reach into the box and pull out the fattest worm I can find. I bait my hook, paying close attention to make sure that not too much of the hook is showing. I rear back and cast my line into the middle of the river and wait for it to sink. Once the weight has reached the bottom, I reel my line tight, so that it will be easy to feel when the fish hits the bait. I sit back in my chair, prop up my feet, open a beer and wait.

The tugging of my line startles me. I stand up and pull the rod closer to my body. My rod is bent and I can feel the fish pulling on my line, pulling with all its might trying to get away. I start reeling in my line making sure the tip of the rod is held high. If there is too much slack, the fish might get away. The closer the fish gets to the bank the harder it fights. This is one fight I don't want to lose. Finally, I see the sleek body break the surface of the water. It's a catfish weighing about three pounds. I pull the fish ashore and take the hook out the mouth being careful not to get stuck by the fins. A neighbor stops by to admire my prize catch and we chitchat for awhile. I put the fish into an ice chest full of water to keep alive until it's time for cleaning.

I bait my hook again and cast it into the river. I sit back in my chair and prop up my feet. The warmth of the sun and the coolness of the breeze put me into a tranquil mood. And again... I wait for the next fish to swim my way.

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