Fishing with Frank

Fishing with Frank, A.K.A. “Termite” by David Knize
The note on my door read, “Gone fishin with my Step Dad Frank”
We called the fishing resort and confirmed our reservation like we’ve done every year. We packed our clothes checked our tackle and loaded our gear.
Just a mere eight hour drive to our favorite fishing hole. We gassed up the van and put the pedal to the metal! Breaking last year’s record was one of our goals.
It was mid-June and we assumed the weather would be just fine, but from Chicago to central Wisconsin the temperature dropped to thirty nine!
Frank said, “No big deal we’ll still catch fish, did you pack warm clothes for the trip?” I replied, “I wish.”
We put the boat in the water and bundled up. After four hours of casting with purple fingers and blue faces we decided it was time for a warm cup….of anything.
We happily headed to the bar for a much needed bite to eat, but we ended up drinking enough booze until we couldn’t see straight. We stumbled into the cabin and found to our concern, there was no heat, just an empty fireplace with nothing to burn.
Three days of fishing with temperatures twenty degrees below average, to which the locals replied, “Ya hey dare, ya should have been ere last week, da wedder was grate and da fish were biting on every bait!”
Well we caught a few nice ones, the trip wasn’t a bust. The next day was beautiful, sunny and warm, so I decided to take off my shirt and catch some rays. Frank advised, “Hey tomato face, put on some sun block.” To which I replied, “I don’t need it, what’s the fuss?”
The next morning was excruciating, I was suffering from second degree burns! I should have listened to Frank, maybe next time I’ll learn.
Before we knew it the time came to pack up and head south. It’s just an eight hour drive, but we’ll take turns behind the wheel, it’s only fair. Good Lord have mercy! With the itching blisters and boils on my back, the ride home turned into my worst nightmare!
So when you’re going on a fishing trip and are unsure of the conditions, do yourself a favor, and just listen to Frank.