I had gotten all the way out near the edge and had forgotten my stringer. Being creative, I broke a thin branch down and started threading small perch on next to my leg. I was still fishing, and having a wonderful time. By this time the sun was well below the treetops and darkness was rapidly setting in. Moments later I noticed a large water moccasin swimming along across the lake. Since I had much prior experience around snakes, this too, was a beautiful sight, and only added to my adventure. Bam, one more perch - a big one this time, dwarfing the others on the stick next to my leg. After unhooking it, I looked down to get the makeshift stringer, and to my surprise a three-foot water moccasin had half swallowed one of my fish! Now I began to panic.
I yelled to Mike, “I think its time to go”, as he sat safely on the shore. So, I picked up the stick and shook the snake back into the water. Big mistake!! Now I'm standing in water up to my knees; its dark; alligators are in the area; a snake around my legs; and I lose it. I tossed the perch stick into the lake and begin trying to run to distance myself from the snake. Yet another big mistake I strike the wasp branch containing the platoon of airborne poison injectors. Out of my mind with no shirt, screaming, holding on to my fishing pole, and running through green nasty muck, I tripped and went down head first into the water. Mike, alarmed by all this, is now on his feet in a panic tells himself the ultimate terror has occurred the fourteen foot gator ate Cliff what will I tell his folks and what about his boss. At that point I rise back up whooping and hollering as I got back to safety. Not a scratch, not a sting, just a little rattled. I say to Mike, "What a great spot, lets come back tomorrow night."
Thus, I was well on my way to becoming a professional fishing guide. See you out on the Flats,
Capt. Cliff Fleming
