Dave Heaps from Montoursville asked if I would give a short presentation. I said yes before I got any of the details. I never shy away from a crowd. A part-time mobile freelancer only gets the call when someone bails. I have done this before, but I am still a novice. I love these opportunities. I have the gift of gab, and I was ready. The Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club was waiting.
I attended their monthly meeting at the Villa Restaurant. I walked in and saw some familiar faces. The boys were getting geared for 2026. I was seated at the main table. The Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club is a great organization. They do so much for our area. They help preserve and protect the natural resources of the Loyalsock Creek Watershed. My friends host the annual Little Bear Creek Youth Fishing Derby. They also maintain and sponsor a handful of handicap accessible fishing sites in our region. The club supports two PennDOT Adopt-a-Highway sections. They also plant trees and take care of the blue jays. These guys help the Lycoming Creek Anglers and Hughesville High School with their donations. I was very impressed with their devotion. A group of older men who love and take pride in the outdoors.
I was introduced as an outdoor writer for the Webb Weekly. Jimmy and Steph would be so proud of me. I thanked my new chums and started rolling. I wasn’t here to teach these guys how to catch or handle a fish. I wanted to share some of my favorite stories. Seventeen years of articles. I have several tales. I wanted to tell three of my favorites. I decided not to use any technologies. Sure, it would have been nice to have a video or PowerPoint. Not my style. I like to freelance. I printed out a few photos. But I only shared them with my audience after each story.
My Amish Bassing and the MLB Classic from a Kayak were grand. I heard a few laughs. The boys were intrigued. I found my rhythm. I wanted to keep the best for last. An Unbelievable Fishing Story. The one that made me famous. This tale went viral. It appeared on the front cover. It was also shared on several other pages. Folks are still chatting about this encounter. I have the entire story memorized.
“I threw a cast next to a concrete support,” I told my friends. “There, I let my Heddon Torpedo float. I gave it a slight twitch and saw a splash. These are my favorite lures to catch smallmouth bass. It was a decent fish. He was putting up a good fight. I was using my ultralight rod and reel combo. 6lb test. My usual setup for the Susquehanna from a kayak. I then noticed something strange. Everything came to a complete standstill. It felt like I was snagged. I paddled closer to see what was wrong. Perhaps my bass was wrapped around a log. As I approached, there was a golden flash. My drag began to scream. It happened so fast.”
The back ballroom of the Villa was silent. I paused for a moment. I then turned up the volume. I wasn’t using a microphone, but my coaching voice took over. I continued with more passion.
“I was thinking that I hooked two fish,” I shouted. Trying to captivate and move the audience. Most of them already had hearing aids. “Smallmouths will travel in groups. Sometimes you hook more than one. I continued to battle, and I tightened my drag. I was somehow gaining momentum. I was about to get my first glimpse. My heart was pounding. My hands started to shake. OH MY GOSH. I was definitely fighting two fish. OH MY GOSH.”
My friend Don Crouse and a few of his waitresses were now in the room. You can’t make it up.
“There was also a massive Muskie on my line,” I continued. “This was incredible. Unbelievable actually. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. This elusive predator totally came out of nowhere and inhaled my Smallmouth. She refused to let go. I was doing circles. Remember. Kayak. 6lb test. No net. I didn’t have a prayer. I considered paddling to shore, but there was no way I’d keep them both hooked. I had to do something fast. No one would ever believe me. I needed evidence. I grabbed my iPhone and started to record. ‘I just hooked a Musky. I don’t know if I will land it- the fish explodes from the water — OH MY GOSH.”
I showed my friends this picture, and I also sent the video to a few who asked. They were all amazed. I finished my presentation with the following.
“Sure. It would have been nice to land both fish under the Market Street Bridge,” I concluded. “But I am extremely blessed to have had that brief opportunity to tangle with a Susquehanna River Monster from my kayak. Several have asked my thoughts on size. I don’t know. 36. 42 inches, maybe. Next week it will soar to 50. I am also thankful that I decided to quit fighting the fish(es) and came home with proof of an unbelievable fishing story.”
Special shout to Dave Heaps, Denny Shoemaker, Paul Zimmer, TROSS John Rishel, Billy Clees, and the Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club for the opportunity. I enjoyed the camaraderie. Looking forward to working with you more in 2026. Cheers.
