By Luke LaValley age 11

Michael was sitting on the front porch of his house near Littletown, Michigan, feeling lonely. His Dad had gone to work, his Mom was visiting her friend down the road, his friend, Joey, had gone to town, his older brother was asleep, and Nic, his dog, was even sleeping. So here he was feeling bored, lonely and - and suddenly he had an idea! There was a river down the road a little way so why not go fishing? It was a beautiful sunny summer day and he thought he might be able to catch enough fish for supper, but if he didn't it would still be fun trying.

He wrote his brother, Zac, a note so Zac would know where he was. Then he called Nic, got his fishing pole and set off down the road at a trot.

When he got to the bridge, he got his pole ready and started casting. After about ten casts, he felt a tug. He looked into the pool, and there was a four-foot Muskie! Nic saw him too, and charged down the bank, barking and jumping with Michael after him. Suddenly, Michael hit a slippery spot and instead of running he was sliding after Nic at a great speed. He skidded to a stop just short of the river but Nic, who was also trying to stop, couldn't make it. He shot off the bank in a blur, and crashed into the fish line!

Suddenly Michael heard someone laugh and looking he saw Zac standing on the bridge laughing himself hoarse. Zac started down the bank, laughing all the way. Then he pulled on the waders he was carrying and started into the river to see if he could get Nic.

While Zac was getting his waders on, Michael asked, "How did you know we'd need the waders?"

Zac replied, "Well, I didn't know we'd need them for this but I thought if you caught a big fish we could use them."

Just as Zac was about to grab Nic, the fish gave a lurch and Nic was pulled out into deeper water where Zac couldn't reach him. But Zac had been able to grab onto the fish line that entangled Nic and the real struggle began. Zac gave a huge tug and got a hold of Nic's collar, but what with the slick bottom and the huge fish pulling, he began to slowly slide toward the deep water.

Michael began to reel in his line as fast as he was able. Zac began to unwind Nic and as soon as he was free, there was a splash and Michael was standing in the river too.

Abruptly the fish gave a yank. Michael spun around, hitting Zac in the head with his pole. When he stopped moving, he was lying on his back with his pole in the air and the line wrapped around Zac several times. When Zac got himself untangled, he helped the soggy Michael out of the river and then went clumping across the bridge and down to where the fish was sitting, watching Michael and Nic.

Quickly Zac grabbed him but the fish gave a huge thrash and shot across the river. Michael was reeling in his line and Nic was dancing around, yapping his head off.

The fish hit the bank right below Michael with a thud just as their father, Mr. Fiddler, drove up. He and Zac ran down the bank to help Michael get the fish in, which they did after quite a tussle. Then they loaded everyone into the back seat and drove home, arriving there just before Mrs. Fiddler.
That night at supper Zac and Michael told how they caught the fish while everyone remarked on how good it was.

"That sure was a good fish," said Mr. Fiddler. "I hope you catch more like it."

"I hope so too," Michael replied. "Well, anyway, I now don't have to worry about having anyone to play with. I'll just go fishing."