| Last week, Uncle Jon took me to one of his | | | | takes someone with strength and the right |
| favorite East Texas fishing spots. It's a beautiful | | | | amount of leverage to keep it upright. Well, at this |
| small lake near Hawkins, Texas. We've been there | | | | point, Jon had neither. You know what happened |
| before and I expected nothing out of the | | | | next. I started tilting to the right. The mass was |
| ordinary. | | | | moving. I saw Jon tighten his grip but he had no |
| As usual, we took the kayaks as this is a perfect | | | | leverage. I saw his eyes start to bulge. I kept |
| kayaking lake. After we arrived, we unloaded the | | | | tilting to the right. At this point, I didn't think this |
| boats and gear. We rigged up and placed all of our | | | | scenario was going to end pleasantly. Jon was |
| stuff in the kayaks. Jon had a good idea... or so he | | | | struggling. I was rooting for him. Within that split |
| thought. Being a great host, he was concerned | | | | second, I was thinking, "come Jon, hold on." |
| with my well being... or so I thought. You know... | | | | You know, it's a strange feeling when you reach |
| big ol' boys like me have a tough time sitting on | | | | the point to where you know you're going in. It's |
| something that's only 6 inches off the ground. I | | | | almost like slow motion. You think things like; I |
| mean... to maintain any dignity at all during that | | | | hope the water is not too cold, I hope it's not too |
| process is no easy chore. Anyway, the rear half | | | | deep and I hope my insurance is paid up. Well, I |
| of my kayak was in the water while the front | | | | hit the water and immediately submerged. Of |
| rested on the bank. Jon told me to go ahead and | | | | course, the kayak immediately popped right back |
| get in the boat and he would push the kayak out | | | | upright as Jon released his grip. I grabbed firm |
| into the water. Well... it sounded like a good idea at | | | | footing and proceeded to stand up in the belly |
| the time. So, without getting wet, I climbed into | | | | button deep water. The bottom had a slick and |
| the boat. I positioned myself in the seat and got | | | | steep incline at this point and I slipped and was |
| as comfortable as I could. Jon asked, "You | | | | again submerged. Eventually, in what seemed like |
| ready?" I said, "Yep... let's go." | | | | an awful long time and a good bit of thrashing, I |
| Jon grabbed the nose of the kayak, slightly lifted | | | | stood up and walked slowly out of the water. My |
| it, and began to push it backwards out into the | | | | fly line and leader were tangled all about my feet. |
| lake. You have to remember here... I'm a pretty | | | | All dignity was lost. |
| big ol' boy. My weight, and Jon's lifting of the | | | | Jon apologized and was probably sincere. I'm sure |
| kayak's nose, caused the bottom of the boat at | | | | you know that look on someone's face when |
| the rear to contact the lake's bottom. OK... | | | | they need to laugh out load but are doing their |
| remember when you were kid and someone told | | | | dead level best to look serious. That was Jon. We |
| you to push that wheelbarrow with a load of wet | | | | eventually reloaded the boat and approached the |
| cement? Ok... picture that in your mind. And | | | | launch at a totally different angle. I had a good |
| picture this... Jon was holding the nose of the | | | | day of fishing. My mind often wandered back that |
| kayak (the wheelbarrow handles)... the back end | | | | moment as the water dripped off the brim of my |
| was resting on the bottom (the wheelbarrow | | | | hat. I couldn't help but wonder why Uncle Jon did |
| tire)... and I was the load of cement teetering at | | | | that to me. Did he want to catch the first fish? |
| the mercy of Jon's grip and the fish gods. You | | | | Heck, all he had to do was say so. I would have |
| know... it doesn't take very much tilt to cause | | | | gladly watched from the bank. |
| that full wheelbarrow to start to turn over... and it | | | | |