National News & Information >March 2008 Features

The idle thoughts of an idle editor by Jerry Flay

I blame the mouse

Mickey Mouse has a lot to answer for. Next time I am in Florida, I plan to boycott his entire operation. That’ll teach him!

My daughter, however, is a big fan. At three, I suppose he might have a certain appeal. But he should stick to playing in his clubhouse. He should avoid going fishing, especially for Big Red Gooeyfish.

So, a rare fishing opportunity. Even rarer, permission  granted and granted gracefully from the boss.

A quick goodbye to the little ones.

“Where are you going, daddy?” pipes up Pippa.

“I’m going fishing, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon”.

“I want to come, I want to come”. Tears, tantrums, the full Monty of childish persuasions.

“OK, you can come fishing, but you have to do exactly what daddy says”

Smiles, laughter, obedience. We set off to the riverbank together.

We find a spot. She sits. I cast. I cast again. A bite!

“Look, honey, daddy’s caught a fish. Can you see it?”

“Is it a big red Gooeyfish, daddy?”

“No, it’s a trout.”

Tears, tantrums. “Make it go away”

Mindful that the racket she is making is disturbing other anglers, I reluctantly release 4lbs of prime rainbow.

Smiles. Happiness. Childlike enthusiasm.

They are biting today. Another is on the line; even bigger than the last. Damn, another trout. Where are the Big Red Gooeyfish? There are only so many cracking fish I can put back.

Concentration is wavering now. She wants an iceblock. I acquiesce. Then we go home, about 4 hours early.

“You’re home early. Did you have fun?”

“Yes, we did, didn’t we Pip?”

Tears. Tantrums. “We didn’t catch any Big Red Gooeyfish. I hate fishing”

Bloody mouse!

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