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It seems like forever until the Koch's, Arnst's and Parish's arrive from the US.
Soon there is a fire lit outside and laughter fills the air.
All us kids decide to play cops and robbers in the dark.
There is something about hiding in the shadows in a big willow tree on a summer's night.
You feel hot and sweaty from running, but my skin feels cool to touch.
I hide in the tree, still panting from running.
My heart is racing and I try to slow it down.
I watch as the cops go right by you, the shadow of the tree keeps me invisible.
Do I make a run for it and call homefree, or try to be the last one caught.
It is always more fun to get caught by one of the girls.
Sometimes they all get so caught up in the rules, who cares.
It is great to be outside running around in the dark with no parents around.
I wish the weekend would last forever.
If I am going fishing in the morning, I have some work to do tonight.
Time to catch some dew worms.
Out come the flashlights.
It is always easier to catch worms by yourself.
You have to be really quiet and walk softly.
It is not as easy as it looks.
You gotta be real quick and press down just right or you will squish them.
If you squish them they will die and kill the other worms in the bait box.
How long have I been bent over for.
Ouch, trying to stand up straight really hurts.
I better go to bed because I know I have to get up early.
I am tired and excited.
I keep waking up all night, worried I might sleep in.
I know Charlie would come and get me.
He wouldn't go out without me.
If he promises you know he won't break his word.
The sun is just coming up but it feels like I have been awake for hours.
I can't wait I am heading out bass fishing.
There is steam coming off the creek.
I gulp down a bowl of cereal, grab my pole and head on over to the dock.
I sit and wait.
I can hear Charlie in the guest house getting ready.
Minutes feel like hours.
I help him with his fishing tackle and pole.
He grabs the worms from the fridge.
Everyone always give him a hard time about keeping the worms in the fridge, but where else are you going to keep them.
You don't want them to go bad.
I help Charlie take the cover off the boat.
We load everything up.
Good it is just me and him.
I like it best when we fish together.
Charlie starts up the boat motor.
I like the smell of the exhaust.
We head slowly down the creek.
You can see carp jumping sometimes.
As we go under the bridge I touch it.
The concrete feels cold and rough.
The river is still this morning.
It looks like glass.
He speeds up the boat and we head out on the river.
It takes 10 or 15 minutes before we get to the spot top start our first drift.
We always fish on the US side.
The Canadian side has a big weed bed.
That is where my dad caught his huge Muskie.
Charlie always has his depth finder turned on.
It is cool to watch the orange spinning thing show you how deep the water is.
I like to think about what the bottom looks like.
He built it himself.
He is so smart, he built a bunch of electronic things.
The water depth is 21 feet, perfect for bass.
We bait our jigs.
Charlie thinks purple will be a good color today.
I fish from the back and he fishes off the side so he can start the boat if needed.
We still have our jackets on, cause it is a bit chilly.
There always seems to be a breeze out on the river.
It always smells good out there.
We drift along with the current, watching for landmarks on shore.
Charlie knows the good places to start and stop the drifts.
Darn I have a snag.
Charlie is really patient.
He doesn't yell at me.
He starts the boat and drives up river.
We get it out.
Charlie shows me how to tell if your jig is at the right depth.
You feel the odd tap tap, but not too many.
Too many means you are hitting the bottom and will get snagged.
Charlie and I don't talk a whole lot.
We talk about fishing, different lures and bait.
He also tells me when it is the best time to catch the big ones.
The slow rocking of the boat and the waves lapping against the side make me feel relaxed and sometimes sleepy.
Fish on.
Charlie has one, he always catches more fish than me.
I don't mind, I just like being out here with him.
My dad was the only other person who took me fishing in a boat.
I reel in my jig and get the net.
I know I have to be careful because I get too excited and put the net in the water too early.
Fish get spooked when they see the boat.
Charlie gets him up to the boat and I put the net in the water.
It is exciting, my heart races.
I clumsily net the fish.
Charlie removes the hook and puts the fish on a stringer.
I wonder if it hurts the worms when you put them on a hook.
It must hurt the fish when they have the hook in their mouth.
Everyone says it doesn't hurt them.
All I know is it really hurts when I get a hook stuck in my finger, so I can imagine how much it hurts to get one through the lip.
We start another drift.
Rats, no fish this drift.
It is starting to get hot so I take off my jacket.
The suns feel so good.
You catch more fish on a cloudy day, but the warm of the sun feels so great.
Charlie takes us down river to another good spot.
We try 3 or 4 drifts.
They don't seem to be biting today.
It is almost lunch time.
Charlie calls Sal on his CB and tells her we are heading home.
She always gives him a hard time about fishing.
Not many fish today but it was still great to be out fishing with Charlie.
Charlie will clean it Sunday morning.
He wraps it in newspaper and puts the fish in the fridge.
My dad would always clean them right away.
Charlie says it is easier when they are cold.
Thanks for taking me Charlie.
Any time Scott.
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