Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Gone Fishing (02/01/07)
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TITLE: Timmy's Choice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lynn Clark
02/02/07 -
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It was 1947 and quite a haul to the American River. But you could ride like the wind on your bike and take short cuts in order to get there faster. It was always a race, Timmy ahead and then Billy ahead, depending on who was less tired. They found their poles, hidden in the woods in a hiding spot marked by a big boulder near the rushing water. No one had ever found their secret hiding place and they were careful that they were alone when they retrieved their poles.
Billy got his worm on the hook first, dug yesterday from Mother's garden and began to head downstream to a flat rock jutting out of the water where he had caught both bass and blue gills. If the fishing wasn't good that day, he could lay back and let the warm sun wash over him.
Timmy headed upstream knowing there was an area of rapids with a deep waterhole beneath where he had once hooked a big catfish that had gotten off. He had never told his brother about the big fish because it was always a contest between them, and Timmy knew he could land that fish if he ever hooked him again.
It was slow fishing at first, Timmy could see Billy wasn't catching anything and soon his enthusiasm wore down. Just as he was thinking about climbing atop a big rock to rest in the sun, his pole jerked with a force that nearly pulled him off his feet. Timmy planted both feet firmly and held onto the pole with all the strength he had. "Hey, Bill!" he shouted excitedly. "Billeeee...!". At that moment, the fish thrashed on the surface and Timmy could see it was the same big catfish he had hooked once before. Big catfish were hard to catch, expecially on a cane pole. Timmy ran up and down the riverbank, careful not to fall in the water, leading the fish so as not to break the line.
Billy saw the commotion and saw the catfish, too. He threw his pole onto the bank and ran toward Timmy. Timmy's eyes were on that catfish; he could just see the looks on the guys faces when he showed them his catch.
Timmy glanced in Billy's direction, he really wanted his big brother to see his fish. But Billy wasn't there. Timmy glanced at the shore looking for Billy but kept his eye on the fish still fighting to get free.
Suddenly, an object in the water caught Timmy's eye. It was downstream from him, floating away fast. Oh, God, it's Billy, he screamed to himself. For one instant, Timmy was torn. But only a fraction of a second. He dropped the pole with the biggest fish of his life and began to run downstream across the jagged rocks.
Billy was flailing wildly, trying to reach the edge of the rocks. But, it was slippery and he couldn't get his balance. Billy was floating away faster than Timmy could catch up to him. "God," he prayed. "Please help me reach my brother."
At that moment, Timmy's pole floated by. The catfish was still attached, no longer fighting. Timmy snatched the pole from the water, broke the line and struggled over the rocks trying to get to Billy. For one second, Billy seemed to stand still in the water and Timmy screamed, "Grab the pole!!".
Billy struggled to reach it and Timmy waded further into the water until Billy could reach the pole. He grabbed the tip and gradually worked his way forward so he could stand on the side of the bank. Both boys fell exhausted onto a warm rock, frozen from the cold May water. Slowly their breathing returned to normal. "Man, did you see my fish?" Timmy excitedly asked Billy. Billy rolled over slowly toward Timmy and shrugged. "What fish?" he asked.
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