Friday, August 26, 2011

Red Tuna and OBN Writing Challenge



As long as we are being hypothetical, let's go back. Maybe a couple hundred years. Yeah, far enough that the only people we'd come across would be Objibwe or Menominee peoples.

Of course we'd bring a drift boat. That way we'll be able to cover more of the tanned rivers of Northern Wisconsin.

I'll steer from the beginning. Robert, Bob as her prefers to be called, will be at the bow. We will drift down the river casting at the shoreline. Stripping magenta and chartreuse streamers across the surface of the water.

Because we are so far back in time, all we'll hear is the song of the North Woods. And maybe Bob humming a tune.

"How about Standing in the Doorway? Sing that one Bob." I'd say.

The rhythm of our casts are in sync with his rusted, whisky-soaked voice.  All day long...

Then, with the fading day, something changes. Drop the acoustic tunes. "People call and say beware doll...Do you want to make a deal?"

SLAM!


The powerful olive-backed body of a muskie DESTROYS my fly.  The beast fights and pulls our boat off course. I don't even need to bring her into the boat. Subdued and exhausted, I revive her. Back and forth, back and forth... Then with a massive sweep she splashes me in the face as if to say, "Thanks, *sshole."

Then Bob Zimmerman (Dylan, to the people back in our time) asks with a smirk, "So, how does it feel? Tell me, how does it feel?"

What do I say?  Nothing. I'm a complete unknown.

If you need a better visual of my entry for the Red Tuna OBN Writing Challenge, watch this video from Third Year Fly Fisher, Robert Thompson. It was my inspiration. Go HERE if the embed below isn't working.


*** Update: These are the guys! http://www.muskycountryoutfitters.com

3 comments:

  1. I've never caught a Muskie and after reading this and watching the video, I've got a new goal! I'd love to feel one of those at the end of my fly line ~ Glad you shared this, very cool.
    Rebecca

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  2. Thanks, Rebecca! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It would be soooo fun.

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  3. If you aren't a big Bob Dylan fan, some of the dialog and term "complete unknown" are from his song, "Like a Rolling Stone." This song signified a major shift in musical trajectory, so it seemed fitting to go with the shift from a quiet day casting on the water to a sudden battle with the big elusive muskie. At least, that's what I was going for :)

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