Who among us does not love a good “fish story?”

I know that I surely do. Although one can’t help but be amused at the way some fishermen can stretch the truth when telling about their “prize catch.”

I always loved to hear stories told by old gentlemen who, in their younger days, faithfully rant heir trot-lines or snag-lines and caught some dandy fish or witnessed some “monsters” being caught.

Ad so, let me share a couple of stories with you, my reads.

My dad, who called himself an ace catfish “noodler” many, many years ago, sued to tell a story about a giant (and I do mean Giant) catfish that was caught in an area near Woodbury, where they was located a big water wheel on the Green River.

The huge wheel came to a screeching halt one day, much to the dismay of folks about.

A search was made to determine why or what stopped the big wooden wheel.

It was discovered that a catfish of considerable size was lodged or caught within the large wheel.

Some folks fetched a rope and wire and proceeded to try to snare the large fish so as to pull it out from around the water wheel.

After the ropes and wires were in place the menfolks tried to pull the fish loose.

After several minutes, seeing that this attempt was useless, someone sent for a team of mules.

Upon arrival,the stout mules were hitched so as they could pull at the large fish.

At the given signal, the beasts strained and tugged … finally the “monster” catfish came loose and was pulled up on the riverbank. Folks witnessing this incident gasped and stared at probably what was one of the largest fish ever to come out of the Green River.

Dad knew no exact measurements, but he did say that after the catfish’s head was removed, it was so massive and wide that a 200 pound hog could walk through its “jaws!”

Another fellow told me a story about standing at the river’s edge on summer day. At his heels was his wife’s little white poodle, “Fee Fee.” he had decided to go on a summer evening walk along the river and the poodle had tagged along.

He said later, “I got to wonderin’ … reckon that little poodle can swim? I bet he can outswim a Labrador retriever…”

So he picked up the little white poodle and gave her a gentle toss into the river’s edge. Sure enough, “Fee Fee” began to swim like a duck.

The fellow knelt down and slapped his hands together. “Here Fee Fee, here girl!” Can you imagine his shock of horror as “something” rose up to the surface and quickly swallowed the little white poodle!

He sat, stunned for several minutes. “No one’s gonna believe this,” he said out loud. “And most of all, my wife! She’s crazy about that darn poodle.

“Oh, mercy,” he whispered. “I’m a dead man.”

Well, his wife didn’t kill him and he swore the story was true. (You be the judge.)

I know you can’t get the fellow in a boat or even get him to stick his “toe” in the river since that incident.

Well, I could probably go on and on, because I know a lot of fish sotries. But, I suppose I’d better wrap this column up.

And if you know any good fish tales, share them with me sometime, cause I never get tired of hearing them.

Till next time.