getting the run around!

Yeah...I finally did it last night. I rowed the monster of a boat. But we did it differently this time than on previous nights. We did something called a "run around".


In a run around all 250 yards of netting are used, but we don't go out straight across the river and down, but a long curve that traps whatever stragglers there may be on our side of the river. We have been capturing a lot of catfish the past couple of nights; last night the count was over 300; and Steve felt with the higher river conditions and a small crew there was no need to bring in that many cats to catch a few Shad.


Dan was happy when Steve announced his plan for the fishing tonight. He and his wife, Charlie, were preparing a dinner for people on the island and the haul was much quicker than had we gone up the normal quarter mile distance on the island. But, it was a more difficult row. It was more like a sprint than a marathon.


We pushed off and hurtled out into the river with such speed and strength that there was no time to admire the beauty of the scene. Though I could feel the coolness of the water and the pleasant breezes I had to fight the urge to ponder it all. I could feel the sun flecking the water and I wanted to stop if only for a moment to look at it all, but we were out here to work. That was very obvious for immediately Dan started a furious pace with his oaring. I had to follow his lead or else we'd bump oars. He used a short, swift stroke and I had to shorten the deep, full strokes Ithought we'd pull. We only bumped a couple of times, but he was very patient and eventually I noticed him slightly delaying his stroke to allow me to get in time with him. I worked up a good sweat and was breathing hard half way through the row. Steve had warned me that we could not stop to rest with the run around. With the longer haul there's a breather in the middle of it when the boat drifts a bit with the current before we turn into shore. With the run around it was furious and tiring and exhilerating!


There's no rest at all until the haul is complete. Steve helped the final yards to shore by poling the boat. I felt the oars scraping rocks near the end. As soon as we landed we had to scramble out of the boat and grab our brail and drag it to the point and begin hauling in the net. There was no time to rest at all.

As promised there weren't a lot of catfish in the net, but we caught more of them than any other. There was a Bass in there and I continually marvel at this beautiful fish. Of course we had to throw them all back. We didn't catch Shad, but at least I got to row.

Janet had come down to watch our escapades tonight and she took some pictures. It was a lot of fun to have her there. She helped haul in the nets. There was actually a small crowd gathered on the island to watch our haul. It is good that people come out to see this tradition continue.

Afterwards, John, Janet and I then met at Triumph Brewery in New Hope for some beer and food. We had to wade through a lesbian gathering at the place, and the testoterone levels in the place were sky high. Still, the three of us were happy with the day and it was an extremely enjoying ending to a spectacular day.

thanks for reading.
greg