The Odds

I had a fish! A big trout! John continued coaching. “Rod up! Rod up! Let it take the line but not the rod! Pull in line with your left hand! Rod up! Then, lead him to the rocks, slowly.” I did it! John measured the trout at 20”, and guessed its weight to be about four pounds. Whap! He struck it in the head with his small hammer, and there it lay in the rocks, shining in the sun and sparkling water. Picture time! I asked John to take my picture with my camera. He grumbled something about not knowing how to use a camera, but I encouraged him to point and shoot. I stood rather unsteadily on the slippery rocks holding up the fish, wide smile frozen on my face, and just as John focused the lens, what do I see some yards behind him but a grizzly! Remembering that John had a hearing aid in each ear, I shouted, “John! John! There’s a grizzly behind you!” “What?” I repeated my warning. John slowly turned around and said, “Oh, he’s going down river.” He turned back and took my picture.