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Rr The Intrepid Cottager by Craig Nicholson (c. 1988 All Rights Reserved) FISHING Fishing must be a privilege now. I know I feel honoured. Before, it was free, now it's ten bucks. I don't know if that makes it more fun, more exciting, more relaxing, more official or what. All I know is that I don't catch any more fish than before and as usual with the government it is more blessed to give. That first summer of license, I hit the dinghy floorboards with the renewed enthusiasm born of a long winter of forgetting. Despite an already bulging tackle box, I stocked up a-fresh on all the latest gadgets, gizmos and hooky things. The hardware store orders in bulk for me. Fish are offended by used tackle, so I demonstrated my respect with conspicuous excess and abandonment of reason. I think they own Visa. Or the hardware. There's definite psychology to fishing. For the fish to jump on my hook, I have to show them that I'm committed, that I'm trying to forge a meaningful relationship. The wife says our mar- ' riage is the forgery and that I'm the one who should be commit- ted. The fish practice their lip puckering. This relationship building is costly. Aside from a marriage §& and all of the new stuff - license, tackle, electric motor, rod § holder, deck chair, cooler (bait & fish), coaler (beer & lunch), net, fish wacker, and a second boat for the wife - and all of the fresh stuff - bait, gas, attitude, beer, bandages, and flowers for =| the wife, there's also the new 16 footer to hold it all, and the new § fishing togs to replace those ones that didn't work last year. Fish § are incredibly trendy and fickle, so image is paramount. Besides, § crusted year-old worm slime isn't de riguer this season. The only device I've done without is a fish finder, not because : E 1 don't believe in them, but because I suspect it's not the fish who are lost. Common wisdom has it that fishing is best in the early mor- ning. That's because the wife is never awake then and doesn't give a hoot where I am. And if I leave the coffee on, she may not care until mid-morning. About the same time she discovers worms from two weeks ago stinking away at the back of the : fridge. After that, not even a muskie could save me. I'm still in training. I must be, because I see all these other guys out there all looking so relaxed and happy. Usually that's § while I'm pulling the outboard motor cord for the 25th time and cursing under my breath. When it finally starts, none of my gear 4 is ever ready. Not daring to turn off the motor, I hook my left elbow around the steering arm and execute an intricate series of maneuvers - full circles, U-turns, power turns, full reverses - that never fails to hold the undivided attention of the other boats. This leaves my hands free to be tangled, pierced, slimed, wetted, bloodied, pinched - and to make a last desperate grab for the steering arm to avoid on rushing rocks. When I'm ready, trolling is my game. My theory is that fish : like to be exercised, so I troll faster than everyone else in order to only hook the really healthy ones. This also gets me to where the fish are first. The catch is that I'm not ambidexterous, or even dexterous. § Put me in a tippy, confined space with steering arm, rod, net, drink, fishing book and live bait all needing to be held simultaneously and there's bound to be trouble. Even when the fish aren't biting. Especially when I kick over the frog bucket. Trolling in a straight line is out. Trolling at an even speed is hopeless. Keeping track of how much line is out and where is pointless. My place in the book is marked by a worm. Now imagine a strike! I always hit fast forward and then reverse on the way to neutral. If this doesn't throw the hook, I stand up in the plunging boat, dropping everything to grasp net and gunwhales. Then I'm in for the fight of my life. When the boat is finally under control, it's time to subdue anything that is still on the line. Worm remnants don't fight much. The hard part is not embarrassing myself. For some reason my fishing attracts attention. Ardent anglers admire my style. Like all good fishermen, I'm tight lipped; I don't want to give away anything that I know. Also, I am seasick. But I can't stop them watching, even those with binoculars, standing on their docks, laughing at some joke and pointing in my general direc- tion. So I try to flounder with dignity, to perch with flair, to drop things overboard with nonchalance. I keep a positive outlook. That I don't like eating fish doesn't deter me. That I wouldn't be caught dead cleaning one keeps my blade sparkling like new. That I've never landed one longer than my pliers keeps my mantle uncluttered. That worm slime makes my tummy heave keeps my weight down. That it costs me more than a loan shark means I have no financial worries. That is now costs me ten bucks more only adds insult to injury. "The injury is what the wife inflicts when I'm home late from fishing again, PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 20, 1989 -- 13 Councillor Marilyn Pearce will be guest speaker at WI meeting Scugog Island Area News by Mrs. Earl Reader The Women's Institute will meet Wednesday, June 21 with Convener Harriet Hunt in charge. The theme for the occasion will be International Affairs. The roll call will require a clipping of a local current event. The guest speaker will be Mrs. Marilyn Pearce from the Council. Sunday, June 25, tue Youth Group of the Island United Church will lead the Worship Ser- Pleads guilty Anthony Damato of Scugog Township appeared in Provin- cial Offences Court last week on two charges. Mr. Damato pleaded guilty to using unauthorized plates and operating a motor vehicle 'without insurance. The Justice entered a guilty charge and fined Mr. Da- mato $75 for the first charge, $500 for the second. Mr. Damato was given four months to pay the fines. vice. As this is Seniors Week, the Reverend Don Tansley will be guest speaker. Sunday evening of June 25 there will be a strawberry dessert! social at the Island United Church from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enter- tainment will be music by the Golden Slippers and another musical group. Admission will be $3.00 each or $10.00 a family. The changed date of the Scugog Social Planning Council! Meeting will be next Tuesday, June 27, I expect. The Women's Institute will hold its giant yard ond bake sale, in- side the Istana Commumty Hall, Saturday, July 8 at 10 2 m. to 1 p.m. The members will have a craft table of items they have made. Other tables or areas will display for sale, items that have been donated by the Community. Don't forget the popular Bake Sale too. Proceeds will be used for Com- munity work. One lady has offered to pick up two Saturdays previous to the sale. So if you have items light enough to'be handled by women, please call 985-3730 or 985-7616 for June 24 or July i. Mrs. Betty Reader is walking around with difficulty with crut- ches as the result of a knee injury while working. Probably this will not hinder her in taking her part with the "Golden Slippers." on Fashion SPECIALIZING IN LADIES AFFORDABLE FASHIONS Hours: Mon. to Sat. 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Fri. to 8 PM. PORT PERRY PLAZA 285-0129 MANCHESTER The new compact utility tractors from John Deere get you through your toughest jobs. Select from a range of sizes, transmissions and PTO con- figurations to fit any application. Series hydraulics allow multiple func- tions, and the operator station is more user-friendly. For your safety, the oper- ator presence system shuts the engine 2 MILES WEST Of Increased Power and Productivity | off if you leave the seat with the mid or rear PTO engaged. See the 18.5-horsepower 670, 22.5- horsepower 770, 28-horsepower 870, 33-horsepower 970 and 38.5- horsepower 1070 compact utility tractors from John Deere today. Nothing Runs Like a Deere" UTICA FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. 985-9701 LOW FINANCE RATE AVAILABLE 24 Month at L/,% on approved credit