By Dwayne Zboril

My heart raced with anticipation, my breathing quickened as my destination grew closer. Over the horizon the water glistened beneath the sun, it was mid-afternoon as I approached Big Blue's place. The last time we battled Big Blue came out on top, a masterful display of his brute strength and my naive underestimation of his sheer mass. This time I had prepared. I increased my line strength from 12lb to 20lb, hopefully this would be enough. Memories of the past battle filled my mind, what could I have done better, what mistakes did I make. It hit me all at once, the only thing I did wrong was try to rush the fight, I didn't play the game.

As I approached the water a perching water crane acknowledged my presence with a flap of his wings. Several turtles bobbed their heads, looking for a meal, waiting for me to cast my line their way. I checked my tackle and prepared to do battle with Big Blue.

As my line entered the water the webbed feet of the turtles flickered as they dove beneath the waters surface. I tightened my line and set my drag, I wanted Big Blue. I stared at the rod tip willing it to move, comon and bite I thought to myself. Suddenly the rod tip moved, my line went slack, I slowly picked up the rod and engaged the reel. As the line grew tight I set the hook, it wasnt big blue but it had some power. I battled the unknown creature until he broke the surface. I laughed as a large snapping turtle glared at me, his jaws open, he hissed his disapproval of the situation. I carefully pinned him down and removed the hook from his jaw. He scurried away, kicking mud my way as he dove into the water. I quickly rebaited my line and casted out towards the submerged pier, Big Blue has to be there.

The sun began to beat down on me, my skin became hot beneath the powerful rays. Sweat began to poor from my face, my eyes burned from the salty intrussion. As I wiped my face my clicker began to chirp. I waited for a different sound, but it never occurred, just a small tap. I fished for several hours and caught a nice collection of cats, most in the 5-10lb range, but no large cats. I began to gather my tackle and call it a day when I heard the chirp of my rod, a steady pull of the line followed. I gripped the rod rirmly and engaged the reel. The line steadily peeled out of reel, as it grew tight I set the hook. Instantly the rod bent beneath the force of a powerful fish. I held firm reeling franticly, not wanting to lose the fish to the submerged pier. My line thumped the surface of the water as my rod tip bent towards the ground. I wasnt able to gain line, all I could do was hold my ground.

I raced up and down the bank following the movements of the fish. I placed my thumb on the line and and tried to stop his progress. The line peeled beneath my thumb, a reminder of his power. My thumb burned from the line, I pumped the rod hoping to turn the fish. I was able to gain a small amount of line this way, slowly I was gaining on him. My heart pounded in my chest, had to remember to breath. I continued to gain line turn by turn, I was steering him my way. The water erupted before me, a massive tail whipped the water. The air was filled with the thunderous sound of an angered fish. Big Blue rolled continuously trying to spit the hook from his mouth.

I continued to pump the rod and bear down on him. My hands were shaking as he reached the shoreline. I had to give him room, I couldn't make the same mistake as last time. As he rolled on the surface he showed his power and splashed water all over me. I wiped my face as he screamed towards the submerged pier. I held firm and turned him towards shallow water. I pumped the rod and gained line on him, he was beginning to grow tired. I never relinquished the pressure and he rolled before me, submitting to the reality he had been beaten. I lifted the massive prize from the water and admired his beautiful color. Big Blue glistened beneath the sun, he breathed heavily in my hands.

I weighed Big Blue and he tipped the scales at 35lbs. I was so excited that I couldn't stop shaking, what a war we had waged. As I looked at the massive fish, a great advisary I was torn between two thoughts. Do I keep this perfect specimen of power and agility or do I release him to wage battle another day. I knew I made the right decision as Big Blue slapped water my was as he swam back to his submerged fortress.

dwaynez