A lot can be learned about a fisherman by examining the contents of his tackle box. Occasionally a friend will ask: “Hey Coby, why do you keep a hypodermic needle in your tackle box? Do you have a secret addiction?” ”Yes,” I will answer, honestly, “I do.”
But my addiction is not to mainlining heroin or liquid crack cocaine or even 4 loco (although I do like 4 loco). No, I am addicted to injecting earthworms with air. Why? Well, it’s not because I enjoy torturing worms (I promise I don’t), but because I am obsessed with catching fish. By pumping my bait full of air, I ensure that it floats up off the mucky lake bottom, in clear view of all the hungry fish nearby. ”But that’s cruel! Evil! Insane!” you say? We all have to make sacrifices if we’re ever going to land the big one. As the fisherman, I put myself at risk for severe neck sunburns, crippling hunger pangs (always pack a sandwich, kids) and feelings of inadequacy when nothing’s biting. I guess I expect the same self-sacrificial spirit from my worms.
Discussion questions: What is a worm? Do worms have feelings? Is torture ever okay?
Next week on Inside the Tackle Box: What is that bottle of George Dickel for?
