54 Nebraskaland • July 2025
THE LAST STOP
I know why so many pairs of sunglasses are at the bottom
of lakes. The human brain can only process so many synapses
simultaneously, and sometimes, fishing gear overloads the
circuit board.
Rods, reels, bait. Seems simple enough, but if you want to
change your bait? That requires, at least, a different pocket
or container.
What if it's a different catfish bait? You definitely can't
have two repulsively smelling substances hanging out
together. And you would never have your less foul option in
the company of your "when all else fails" bait option.
Don't even get started on why it's mandatory to put six
rods and reels in your john boat when bass fishing. One for
a shallow-diving crankbait, one for a spinnerbait, one for a
buzzbait, one for a scumfrog, one for a soft plastic and one
last option when whimsy takes over after you verbally claim,
"I know what they'll hit."
Plus, there are drinks and food to be had, plus a good pair
of snips and a place to put fish if you happen to actually luck
into one or two. Add sunscreen, bug repellent, somewhere to
occasionally sit if you're bank fishing, and a safe place to put
your keys.
But what about your favorite lure? Where did you put
that? It's not in your tackle box. You would never put it in
your catfish bait box. How about at the end of your rod?... No,
it's not there either.
Your hat. That's right. Maybe you put it there.
Plop. There goes your sunglasses.
Mike Marvin, from Omaha, has it right during a fi shing trip at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. Every once in a while fi sh from
the bank so at least you can go home with everything you came with. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
By Jeff Kurrus
THE ANGLER'S DOWNFALL
