Tragic Fishing- Moments 



everything within its power to get free from the hook 

 and with the apparent added desire of taking the 

 preacher-fisherman into the stream, you have a feat 

 all but impossible to accomplish. 



However, in this venture I was successful, and the 

 fish was led around the end of the log, back to the 

 main drift, and out on another log in the direction of 

 the afore-mentioned gravel bed. Here was where the 

 real battle began. The water ran beneath the log so 

 swiftly that without a handicap it would have been 

 difficult to have landed a fish the size of the one on 

 the end of the line, but it really became tragic when 

 this fish would start downstream like a streak, draw- 

 ing the line under the log. Twice he did this and twice 

 I was able by care and skill to bring him back and head 

 him upstream. But the third time had to come, and for 

 the fisherman it was by no means the charm, for with 

 renewed zeal this beauty of the water made another 

 run, this time to his freedom. 



Did the preacher swear? He did not, but rather 

 he talked to the fish after this fashion : " Well, old 

 top, you met me in a fair battle. We had great fun 

 in those fifteen minutes, but you were too much for 

 me, and you win. I'll try to see you again some day, 

 but in the meantime, good luck to you, and may you 

 live long and happy." All of which proves that even 

 a preaclier need not swear when he loses a fine fish. 

 But at that, it sure was tragic. 



166 



