Anything by Gene Hill. "Trout Madness" by John Voelker (aka Robert Traver)

FISHING any kind. Tying flies.

First real fly fishing attempt(dry fly). Big Manistee river. First cast caught a nice little Brookie, second cast another,3rd cast no hit,4th,5th,6th,7th on and on one after another. Thought, this fly fishing is easy and great fun. All fish were returned as they were 6 in. or under.I was very proud of myself, such a great fisherman.Went back to my buddies cabin and told him about my great success, He gets this big grin on his face and says,"you idiot they just released 5,000 steelhead smolts this morning from the hatchery right where you were fishing".

Fishing Little Bay De Noc(not always fly fishing). Drifting with the wind with bottom bouncer and crawler harness half asleep because we have been fishing all day without much success.I hooked on to a gigantic tree branch. I finally pulled it loose and was handlining it in, this thing was heavy and it was cutting my hands. Just as it was about to the boat I saw my tree branch had eyes about 5 or 6 or 7 or 8( it gets wider everytime I tell this story). Just as i see the eyes and head of the biggest Walleye I have been in contact with, I notice, all in slow motion, my swivel clip coming open. I tried to hurry but to late, the Walley slowly disappeared. AAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

60 years old. U.S. Army 67-69 Military Police and Army Security Agency.30 years in the Printig industry. Married 38 yrs.(yes the same woman). Two sons youngest passed 9 years ago.Five grandchildren. Two bad knees and bad back,can't get in the river like I used to or hunt those Brookies in the brush.