Double Ha - Take this too

Chapter 20 - Part 2


They loaded up and Billy climbed in the back and William pushed them away. “Where do you think we should try first, Mr. Baker?” “I was hoping you could make a suggestion Billy, you know this lake better than I do” “Well, I’ve been spending most of my time around that point over there or either this pocket over here lately” “Most of my bigger fish have come from the point, but it seems I catch more in the pocket”. “Have you fished either of these points back here?” “No Sir, I just haven’t gotten to them yet”. “OK, well, let’s start out in the cover and go for the numbers, then we’ll work over to the point and go for a big one. If I’ve still got the energy, let’s try whichever of those points looks best to you and fish something new. How does that sound?” “Like music to my ears Mr. Baker”

They made their way over to the cove and set up in the center between what William guessed was where the creek or drain should be and the shoreline. From this vantage point they could work the deeper water and the little bit of wood on what William guess was the flat and still have a good chance of making the weed line. “What do you think of this spot here Billy?” “Looks good to me, I’ve caught more on the other side back there, but this looks pretty similar” There he went being agreeable again. “Let’s drop the anchors and try it for a bit. And they did.

Wiliam let Billy make the first cast and William watched in amazement at the skill he’d developed in these few weeks. He was fluid and purposeful with no wasted movements or overpowering forward stroke. “You’ve gotten pretty handy with that rod Billy” “Yes sir, I’ve been working at it.” And Billy allowed himself a smile as he tripped the bail. William took the next cast and he smiled to himself at how rusty he’d become as he tripped the bail. They both worked their ends of the boat toward the shoreline for the next few minutes. Billy was lost in thought about what needed to be changed and his next cast. William was lost in thought about the seeming hitch in his swing and why he couldn’t get that stupid jig to go exactly where he wanted it when Billy set the hook on the first fish and played him in. It was nothing to brag about, but it broke the ice and was a picture perfect way to start the day. William was impressed with how healthy it looked and that it had more weight than it’s 8 inches would lead you to believe. Billy released it and they both reset for their next target. William adjusted his cork a little shallower…not because he thought the fish were shallower, but because he thought it might make it a little easier to get that stupid jig next to that stupid tree limb this time. Billy didn’t change a thing and with the flick of his wrist, the cork settled back close to the twig where that fish had just come from. Billy had just made his second turn of the handle when he set the hook again. This one was a little longer but not quite as heavy as the first. Again, William admired the fish and congratulated him. Then he moved his cork a little shallower again. Billy managed 2 more before William was able to answer with ond of his own. “There he is!” William said and he played him to the boat only to have him come off right at the end. “I hate that for you Mr. Baker”. “Just wasn’t meant to be Billy” William said but underneath he was ready to chew nails. They fished on and William managed to miss another, but the fishing had played out and they decided to move to the other side of the cove.

“Don’t worry Mr. Baker, you’ll get yours today, I can feel it.” “I hope you’re right Billy. I’m a lot rustier at this than I thought I’d be.” They reset the anchors within casting distance of the largest lay down William had seen so far. This one had some depth around it and some grass on the very back side. William reset a little deeper and made the first cast he’d been proud of all morning. He layed that jig right in the fork of a main branch and the cork settled in just behind it. “Perfect” he thought to himself. With one twitch it disappeared and it was obviously a good one. “There he is” William let out and round and round they went with William being careful not to let him get back into the tree. This time though, William brought him to the boat and lifted him high. “That might be the biggest I’ve seen come out of here Mr. Baker. How big do you think he is?” “He’s a good 12 inches Billy, maybe even 13” “How much do you think he weighs?” Oh, I’d say at least a pound, maybe a little more.” “Wow. Well, if I couldn’t catch him, I’m glad you did.” William admired him for a moment, then let him swim away. Things were looking up and he still had plenty of energy left. Maybe even a little more than he started with after that fish. “What’s the biggest you’ve ever caught Mr. Baker”. “Oh, maybe 18 inches or so. I didn’t measure him, but he was a smooth 3.23 pounds.” “I didn’t even know they got that big”. “Oh there’s some good fish out there in the big lake alright. 2 pounders are not that uncommon” “Huh. Maybe we’ll get us a couple one day Mr. Baker.” Billy sort of trailed off in the middle of that sentence almost like he wished he hadn’t said it halfway through.

That puzzled William for a moment, then it hit him that in all his own excitement, he hadn’t told Billy what had happened with the doctor. And Billy hadn’t even asked. William put down his rod and reset himself. “Billy, I didn’t tell you about the doctor’s office did I?” “Billy reeled in the last of his cast and set his rod across his lap and turned towards Mr. Baker with his legs. “No sir, you….didn’t”. Billy was bracing himself for bad news. “Billy, the doctor gave me the all clear, said I was fit as a fiddle. He gave me some pills to get my energy back up and said he didn’t want to see me again for at least a half a year.” Billy smiled at first, then it faded and he looked down at the bottom of the boat. “So…” He cleared his throat “you’re going to be alright then?” Billy wasn’t sure if he was being told the truth or whether Mr. Baker was protecting him. “No Billy, I’m going to be great!” Billy looked up and saw Mr. Baker’s grin and knew this was the truth. Billy shot a grin back at him and said “So….does this mean I can stop taking it easy on you then with the fish?” Mr. Baker rolled with laughter. “No Billy, I’d rather you keep taking it easy on me if you don’t mind. I can’t have a young fella like you outfish me all day. What would Ann think of me?” William grabbed his rod and made a big commotion with his cast as if he was real intent on catching one ahead of Billy. After the prank played out a bit, Billy said, “I’m glad you’re going to be around for a good while longer Mr. Baker” William welled up a bit and after swallowing hard, “Billy, I’m glad you’re going to be around for a good while longer too”.

They fished on and Billy kept pulling away. The fishing was good today and the wind was light, which William was glad of. It’d been 15 years since he’d had to skull a boat by hand and was beginning to feel it. Still, he was proud that’d he’d managed to pull back within 4 fish of Billy’s count of 9.

“OK Billy, I’ve had about enough of this paddle. Would you mind taking over?” “I’d be happy to. They gingerly swapped ends without too much wide eyed commotion. “Let’s try one of those new points back there Billy” “I’m on it.” As Billy skulled over, they talked about the weather, the fishing, days gone by and days to come. William enjoyed that conversation as much as any with a grown man he’d ever had too. He wasn’t sure if he was enjoying Billy so much, or if it was just the fact that the dark corner of his mind was finally gone. After listening to Billy talk for a bit more, he decided it was Billy he was enjoying and the lack of that dark place was just a bonus.


Wannabe...