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- A FISHERMAN'S TALE
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- My father in law, Frank, is a keen carp fisherman. He has found this
- wonderful carp lake deep in the heart of the Derbyshire dales. Here, the
- carp grow to 30lb (honest, guv). The lake sits amid beautiful rolling
- hills, it is an almost idyllic spot, perfect for a relaxed day's fishing.
-
- Frank found his spot and stuck to it regularly, he was never seen by a
- soul, only a local farmer who walked along side the lake with his faithful
- spaniel. Frank got to quite like the spaniel, it would sit along side him,
- just watching, for hours on end. Frank was thrilled to feel a huge tug on
- his line, alas, with his big landing net broken, his rather feeble and
- small spare net was obviously not going to do the business of pulling in
- this massive carp.
-
- To his complete surprise, the dog seemed to understand Franks difficulties
- and without further adieu, leapt into the water and retrieved the carp,
- dropping it dutifully at Frank's feet. Upon examination, the carp was found
- to be totally unmarked by the spaniels strong, but gentle teeth. Responding
- to extreme praise, the dog thought he was `the cat's whiskers', (pardon the
- pun). Frank then re-baited his hook with bread and proceeded to cast out as
- high and as far as he could.
-
- Before he could blink, a duck swept down from the sky, scooped the bread
- into it's open beak and then flapped around just above the water, in great
- distress, the hook obviously being well embedded in it's tongue. Up jumps
- the spaniel, leaps into the water, grabs the hysterical duck and starts
- heading back to the bank. Frank, meanwhile, is reeling in the line for all
- he is worth, his concern being totally for the poor frantic duck, it's
- impaled tongue causing great pain.
-
- The spaniel had other ideas.
-
- This duck was quite a catch, this was something that he wouldn't drop at
- Franks feet, his master at his hill top farmhouse should have this prize.
- The dog started to bound up the very steep hill, the duck firmly in his
- jaws, the hook firmly in the ducks mouth, the fishing hook firmly attached
- to the fishing line, the fishing line being firmly attached to the fishing
- rod, the fishing rod being held quite frantically by poor old breathless
- Frank, running as fast as he could in hot pursuit. He was reeling in as he
- was running, convinced that sooner or later, something had to give!
-
- Luckily, our faithful spaniel friend leapt through railings that surrounded
- the farmhouse at the top of this very steep hill, the line snagged on this
- and broke. This left Frank flat on his face (I won't say what in), the
- outstretched rod still in hand, his appearance more like that of the
- athletes at the finishing line of the London marathon than that of a peace
- loving fisherman. So much for a quiet day's fishing! The happy ending to
- this sorry tale, is that the farmer rescued the poor duck from the dog and
- managed to remove the hook. The duck was later seen flapping about on the
- lake. Frank still fishes at that carp lake, only now his Wellington boots
- have been replaced by spiked running shoes.........
-
- Best 73's, Justin Eidleburger, alias G1ERT @ GB7AAA
-
- P.S. THIS ONE IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!!
- *** EOF
-