Monday, May 24, 2010

Fish Tales


After a long day of not-so-successful angling, boisterous laughs flourish around a campfire in Algonquin Park, the fire starting to cast ominous shadows upon the pitched tents, the men are sharing their best fishing stories on this long weekend known as "The May 2-4 weekend":  the first long weekend that breaks up the boredom of long and cold winters and is known to Canucks as the party-hearty weekend .  This particular Monday is May 24th and is unique for it actually falls on Queen Victoria's birthday this year.  Just another reason to party-heartier and bring that extra "2-4".

Not everyone is fishing, though.  Some are at home making coleslaw, macaroni and potato salads, arranging the condiments and stacking the buns for the evening's fare in preparation of the requisite backyard barbeque.  Others endured the long-weekend traffic, travelling north (or south) to 'open the cottage' and are vacuuming up the hibernating houseflies before they reanimate.  A few will wrap up the day by tossing a line into the nearby lake or river.

But knowing each other too well, none of the men sitting around the campfire are easily taken in by the others' tales of the "one that got away" since the fish are always increasing in size with each telling:  the two pound perch has gained a few pounds and the four pound pickerel is now the size of a sturgeon.  By the end of the evening, one of the members of the group will be nicknamed "Ishmael".


* * * * * * * *
Click here for more Magpie Tales.

21 comments:

  1. ha. i have sat around that fire before...an the fish are whoppers. nice magpie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brian: Heh heh, haven't we all! I was going write about one of my own fish tales, but this just came together as I wrote it. Thanks and I'll drop by your place.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Don't tell me you wrote that just for the halibut? Hey, there's something waiting for you over at my place today!

    ReplyDelete
  4. dufus: Don't tease me with halibut - we rarely get fresh salmon here! I already fished out the award, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Everyday Goddess: I've always enjoyed camping and fishing even if I don't catch anything, and it is fun.

    ReplyDelete
  6. it's not just the camping and fishing that are fun, but the fishing stories are best told by the fire. Thanks for the story!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ah, yes, the wonderful beginning of summer, campfires, fishing and sharing. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes we humans love to tell 'tall tales' love the ending about the "Ishmael" whopper size fish. Good Read, enjoyed it immensely.

    Joanny

    ReplyDelete
  9. kathew: Yes, I think all people should have at least one fishing story - if you haven't been yet, get out there and fish people! Thanks!

    Tumblewords: It's a might cooler in Algonquin about this time of year, but the black flies aren't out yet (I think - it's been awhile). Thank you too!

    joanny: My first ending was to 'gushy', even for me. But, you know, I've never read "Moby Dick" - really!! I'll have to get it - really! Thanks for dropping by and thanks for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a fun post! Love it! I want go there and do that!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Linda: Ahhh - take a trip to northern CA and find yourself a fishing hole. It's a lot of fun, but even if you don't catch anything the adventure of it all may make for an interesting story. Oh, and don't forget the beer - gotta have that (or some other potent potable)! Your long weekend is coming up - make some plans! Thanks, and have a great Memorial weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Perch, pickerel and sturgeon, all mentioned in one post. Fish names are always good for a laugh. Next time, mix in a few sockeye, stumpknocker, and mullet!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chris: Honestly - why is it all of you guys are always making me look-up shit? I thought a mullet was a haircut! Heh heh. Hmmm... a 700-pound sunfish - well there's a tale. Got a campfire and some beer?? (Thanks for dropping in, Chris!)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Somehow, I knew guys were making up stories about the size of the one that got away. It's sort of like tall tales we gals weave about the incredible bargain we got at Sak's or Bloomingdale's.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very humorous..Ishmael!! Clever. I also remember "opening up the cottage"..good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great Magpie, OOdozo! Hope you weren't the one stuck making the coleslaw! Makes me long for the cottage!

    ReplyDelete
  17. RNSANE: Heh heh. Ain't it the truth!

    Lyn: Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  18. CatLady: Good morning and thanks! I can't make coleslaw as I always end up grating my fingers. I miss the cottage too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the Moby Dick reference at the end! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Willow: Thank you! And I thank you for the prompt!

    ReplyDelete