The Last Laugh

  My fishing experiences, as of late, leave much to be desired.  I have come to the conclusion that there are just no fish in the Bay..at least there are none that wish to bite my bait.  After spending the morning pushing a lawnmower about the hill, I thought that I deserved a bit of fishing time.  This was good in thought but not so good in reality.  My time spent dangling that poor little mullet from a hook, did not achieve a single thing.  It did make me glad that I have tendency to hook my bait as far to the rear as possible as after a few casts, I was able to release the tiny fish.  He seemed none the worse for wear once he was free from the hook.  Things might have been a bit different for the mullet had a Laughing Gull had its way!

  While waiting on that elusive fish, I noticed a seagull flying near the pier.  The Laughing Gull was begging for a handout.  Its raucous call sounded much like an old witch's cackle, hence the name "Laughing Gull".  The bird would swoop down and try to grab my bait every time I cast out the line.  The little mullet on the end of the line had to do some fast swimming to stay clear of the clutches of the bird. Once the mullet was out of reach, the gull would start to swoop about my head.  It was making a general nuisance of itself!   Several times, the bird almost smacked me in the head and the poor old dog was taunted beyond any comfort.    This pestering kept on for the whole time we were on the pier!

  Normally, after I finish fishing, I will toss any dead baits out to the birds. They have a hay-day of a time snatching the floating minnows.  Let one bird see a handout and its loud call will alert all others within miles, it so seems. Today, however, the little mullet was still quite lively so instead of feeding the seagulls, the little fishy went free.  The rowdy gull squawked and dive-bombed after the little guy but one quick flick of his tail sent the mullet to safety beneath the pier!  Good job, Little Mullet! The gull turned its attention back to me as if to say, "What were you thinking?"  It was my turn to laugh.  "Mr. Gull, you were a tad too aggravating today!  No food for you!"  With that, Ms. Ez and I headed toward the house.