Re: NANFA-- Fwd: nanfa V1 #1969

R. W. Wolff (choupiqu_at_wctc.net)
Tue, 2 Mar 2004 01:45:46 -0600

I also include this , Ty's write up of the trip for those of you who missed
it. It is a masterpiece! Worth rereading.

Ray

Follow us as we chronical a journey deep into the wild cranberry bogs of
North Central Wisconsin. Our crew's simple goals; to do some dip netting
and some
good old fashion hook and line fishing.

Our trio of explorers was made up of names known throughout the world
(well to the Nanfa list any ways) Ray Wolff, who served as guide,
keeping us safe from the natives on our harrowing journey. Sajjad
Lateef, from the flat lands of a place called Illinois, who despite
having Illinois plates on his car, risked life and limb to travel deep
into Packer country, in search of the dangerous Mud Minnow. Last and
certainly least, Ty Hall, a larger then life character (especially in a
sideview) and the teller of this tall tale.

Our journey started on a particularly risky note as we ventured to a
place the locals call "The Country Kitchen". There Ray and Ty took on a
great risk and both had the Breakfast Buffet, a fools play to be sure
and one that Ray would live to regret. Sajjad, the smart one of the
group, played it safe and watched us from the
convenience of his "cooked-to-order" breakfast.

>>From there we traveled deep into the heart of the Marsh. The Marsh is a
mysterious place, filled with danger at every curve and pot hole. We
traveled down roads
that probably hadn't seen another human being in hours. Deeper and
deeper we drove. We were at least three miles from Ray's house when we
made our first stop. Here we hoped to tangle with the dreaded Creek
Chub. The Creek Chub, creature of legend (and damn fine Northern Bait).
But it was not to be. Try as we might, the Creek Chub would not rest
from his hiding place. Instead we tangled with the infamous Crappie and
equally dangerous Walleye. Also noted at this place was the
ever elusive baby Small Mouthed Bass. Having witnessed these creatures
and managing to escape unharmed we pressed on.

We made several more stops over the next few hours. Casting Lures and
dipping our nets. The lure casting proved to be fruitless as the wary
native fishes seemed
keyed in to our very presence. The dip netting also proved to be of
little consequence. Fish observed were Iowa Darters, Mud Minnows, Fine
Scale Dace, Gold
Shiners, Dwarf Madtoms and Brook Sticklebacks.

On our second to last stop, we encountered the most dreaded of all Marsh
denizens. The Northern Pike, also known to the locals as the Northern
Pike. What started as a seemingly ubiquitous event quickly changed as
the air was shattered by Sajjad's (somewhat girlish) screams of
"Something's got me! What do I do?" The water became a sudden boil of
activity as Sajjad's reel screamed under the intense pressure of a large
fish. After ten harrowing minutes the giant lay at our feet. Thirty
four inches of hatred jammed in to a fishes body. The mighty Pike had
fallen. Blood was everywhere, some of it the fishes, the rest of origin
unknown . The beast had been slain. Sajjad had wrestled his demons and
stood proud over his first Pike and what a beauty it was. Cigars were
dispensed and joy and reverie ensued.

Our intrepid explorers journey was quickly coming to an end. After one
more uneventful stop the crew broke up and headed back to base camp
(Ray's house) to
review the events of the day.

Other interesting beasts encountered along the journey were a Ribbon
snake, expertly caught and safely handled by our own fearless guide Ray
and a Bald Eagle which soared high over us at one location seeming to
search for a proper angle to desecrate Ray's truck.

Our brave explorers weak and weary broke camp and headed back to the
comforts of their respective homes.

Photographic evidence of this not so incredible journey can be found at

http://www.mia.net/tyhall/marsh/index.html

Respectfully submitted, Ty Hall
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