I don't know if it's my greatest fear, but my most common fear is snakes. Freakish little non-legged wierdos.
I remember once a couple years ago I was fishing at a spot that I had been fishing all Spring. I got there particularly early one Summer morning. I had my waders and wading boots on and was heading out to a boulder that marked a cut in the bed of the stream where the fish congregated. I had been there a number of times before and so was looking for feeding activity in the slick water behind the boulder rather than where I was going. I stepped on something odd feeling and looked down before putting down any more pressure. It was a SNAKE. I hate snakes. So I picked up my foot and let it swim off. OK, so I'm out in nature and there are snakes there and I know that so I figure to get back to fishing. I make a few casts, and about that time another snake comes swimming across the stream and strikes at the juncture between the leader and my fly line. Uncool. Most decidedly uncool. But he keeps going and so I figure out of sight out of mind. My heart rate's up pretty high, but I get to fish so infrequently that I was determined to make the best of it. About then another snake hit at the fly I was presenting for the smallmouth bass. I did NOT want an angry snake on a hook on my line! About then, I figured the snakes owned that spot and left. It took me a good long while to get my heart rate back down once putting up my rod and stripping out of my waders at the car. I had to get my adrenalized body under control enough to drive cautiously. I did, and promptly drove to a grocery store where I bought a case of cold beer. Then I drove home just as cautiously as I had to the grocery store and proceeded to drown any remaining adrenaline in a flood of amber-tinted courage. I have not returned to that particular fishing hole.
For the record, three cold beers in a row before morning coffee is not generally recommended, but it does wonders for snake fright.
- Zurf
Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude