The mystery of the multiplying Bluegill

[Earl W Story]

 After another disturbing occurrence of this frightening phenomenon I've decided to share it with you all to see how many others have been affected.

Setting: Beautiful morning at the pond.

Plan: Fried BG dinner.

So here I am fishing away totally oblivious to the EVIL lurking in my trusty Bluegill cooler. Since a couple of the kids are coming for dinner I decide 25-30 would be a good mess.

Aftermath: Just before dark at my cleaning table.

After putting all my gear away and hobbling over to my cleaning table I flip open the cooler and peer in with HORROR!

The 30 BG I kept have somehow grown to 50 chilled fish looking back up at me.... hmmmmmm. After filleting for just a little past FOREVER I look back in the cooler at 75 BG SMIRKING back at me. ARRRGHHHHHH! 

Finally slamming  the lid I run screaming into the house to call the X-files.

I'm not sure what's going on here, but it's not the first time. 

How many of Y'all have had this same experience?

[Tony Livingston]

Earl, you need to read the classic short story by Patrick Mcmanus entitled: "To Filet or not to Filet". It is included in a book featuring some of his most hilarious short stories entitled :"Rubber Legs and White Tail Hairs"

I promise you will not be disappointed. Matter-of-fact, I'm betting you will be like me, and become addicted to collecting his humorous works, all geared towards anglers, hunters, and the outdoors in general.

[Earl W Story]

 I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

[John Grider]

I have just been introduced to McManus's BO Tulley novels. I have found the 2 I've read so far to be very entertaining. PS I quote McManus almost daily. 

[Earl W Story]

I found several books by that author on Amazon. Any advice on which one to start on?

[John Grider]

Start out with "A Fine and Pleasant Misery (1978)" and if you like it, work your way up thru the years. I am not allowed to read them in bed because my chuckles and outright laughter keeps the Better Half awake.

[Earl W Story]

Ok you all have got me very curious and a little excited by these books. I'm gonna order one in the morning!

[Jim Gronaw]

McManus is a hoot! He's just a funny guy and brilliant in the way he weaves humor and the outdoors. All of his books are 'keepers'.

[Johnny]

When I was still in grade school I discovered Mr McManus's work,would laugh until I was dizzy then would read it to who ever was next to me but they didnt get it, probably because I coudnt complete a sentence without loosing it again, coudnt wait until the next months Field & stream came in the mail just for his stories.

 I still have one of his books put away on the shelf, might need to dust it off & rediscover him,  who needs Hemmingway, give me McManus anyday of the week.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

Earl , I feel your pain, many many times I have returned home from the water only to find that I had an extra good day, now comes the cleaning. I have discovered that if I set down it my table in the yard , under the shade tree , with the radio going ,a cold beverage, extention cord for my electric knife , the full cooler next to my left leg, a towel on my leg, a 5 gal bucket lined with a garbage bag for guts between my legs, cutting board in front of me on the table, and a big bowl of ice which I throw the fillets into  to keep them cold and fresh while I clean the rest. I make myself comfortable. If I have help I put them to work removing the ribs from the fillets, if not I do that too, I can process about 75 fish an hour with the electric knife and my assembly line . When it's all done it's easy clean up , just don't forget to haul the fish guts off, they get angry overnight and it makes the job a little tougher the next day.   Many a times  I have spent a couple of hours at the  table and the neighbors come a running to watch, they say I make it look to easy, and they know what's next , " Fresh Fish Fry ".  One summer I burn up 3 electric knives cleaning the days catch, thats why I always keep a spare electric knife on hand. Next comes the fillets getting hot in the grease , french fries, homemade hush puppies, cole slaw, slice of purple onion,and my homemade tarter  sauce, sweet tea  or other adult beverage, it gust dosen't get any better than that, I eat bluegill, I eat big bluegill.   LOFR

[Earl W Story]

Now that makes it sound so much better! 

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Been there and done that. I found a few beers get me through. HA!

[Dustin W. Newer]

Haha can I borrow your cooker 8v)