A Fish Tale

Colin and his father drove a long way to fish for brook trout. But willow bushes surrounded the best spots in the stream.

"I just want to get one huge fish," Colin said.

He tried every spot possible, including the middle of foamy rapids. Unfortunately, only small fish were biting.

Each time Colin pulled one from the stream, he asked, “Dad? This one a keeper?"

"No. Let him free, “his father said. “Besides, time to go.”

“Already?” Colin asked. Only two six inch speckled trout hung from his forked stick. “Hey, what about my surprise? he asked. “You promised.”

But his father didn’t say anything.

The boy was quiet as they headed home. They soon drove into Mr. Best’s driveway. Now Colin was full of questions.

They dug up worms here earlier this morning.

"Hi Mr. Best!" said Colin, trying to be cheerful as they stepped out of the car. Colin held out his small fish. He noticed his father wink at the other man.

"How would you like to catch a really big fish?" Mr. Best asked. The boy gulped, barely able to speak.

Both men began to chuckle. "Get your line ready,” they said. Colin clipped on his brand new Red Devil spinner. And a juicy looking worm, from the plastic box on his belt.

Mr. Best stood brought them to a small pond, behind the house. "You can keep any one of these rainbow trout," he said, “but only one.”

Colin stared as dark forms slithered back and forth beside the bank. Any one would be perfect.

"But, you’ll never catch the biggest one in the pond." Mr. Best smiled. “He’s too smart to get caught by a young fellow. You’d have to catch the smaller ones first.”

"What happens if my first fish is only a small one?" Colin asked.

"Then, that will be the one you keep," Mr. Best answered.

"Then I’ll have to catch the biggest one in the pond," Colin said. Yes, his mind was set.

“Catch him, and he’s yours!” the men teased.

Colin walked slowly around the pond, stepping carefully over rocks and around thistles.

He was careful not to crush the purple wild flowers.

Then Colin lay on his tummy, and peered into the water. He looked for a hideout any large fish might use.

He dropped little bits of worm, hoping a large fish would come to investigate. Colin repeated this several times.

Nope, none looked like the largest one.

He knew his father and Mr. Best were wondering what he was doing.

But Colin’s plan was just beginning. He began teasing the fish by making a few short casts. Then quickly retrieved his lure, before any fish bit.

"Farther out! No over there!" The men shouted from their lawn chairs.

Colin walked slowly around the pond, pulling his fishing line through the water.

One rainbow trout seemed quite interested. Not big enough, he thought. He moved the line quickly so it wouldn't bite the worm.

"Looks like a nice one!" both men shouted as they came closer to watch. Colin didn’t pay attention and kept moving.

Another fish showed itself, then another and another. There was no time to taste the bait before Colin pulled away from curious fish.

The men kept calling, "Hey, that’s a good one!” and, “Why not that one?"

But, Colin was only interested in the largest fish.

He began to run around the pond, making sure he kept ahead of the fish. His wiggling bait was now attracting a lot of attention.

Colin’s father kept shaking his head. "Get one. Get any one. They're all big fish."

Only Colin knew his plan was working. A line of fish followed his bait in single file. Their open mouths followed the teasing worm.

Some leaped over one other, trying to get closer.

Colin moved faster and faster. He wasn't going to catch just any size fish. He was after the largest one.

Mr. Best was jumping up and down. His wife joined him and yelled, "ATTABOY! Get the one you want!"

Colin looked like a marathon runner speeding around the pond, shirt flying in the wind.

Every fish in the pond seemed excited over his fat juicy worm. The boy jumped over a tire near the shore. Then ducked under tree branches and dodged bits of brush.

Nothing could stop him now.

Colin leaped and ducked as he made his way like a dancer around the pond. He was careful not to tangle his fishing line. By now all the fish in the pond were in a straight line, chasing the bait.

Then it finally happened.

The smallest rainbow trout dashed ahead and grabbed the hook. He tugged really hard. The next fish became jealous, gave one leap and tried to swallow the smaller fish.

Then the next fish did the same to the one in front.

Each kept doing the same, until every fish in the pond was holding onto the one in front of the line.

Colin’s father, Mr. Best and his wife stood still as statues. Open mouths meant Colin’s plan was working.

“Simply amazing!!!” they shouted like a choir.

Now, it was Colin’s turn to stare.

A long line of fish stretched in single file all around the pond. Each stubbornly hung onto the tail of the one in front. They joined together as if they were one very long fish.

Colin caught every rainbow trout in the pond.

And the largest one was at the very end!

© Richard & Esther Provencher