The Gar Story

 

My First Gar

By Mary J Williams ©

 

I am originally from Grand Rapids, MI. I went fishing with my mom and dad and brothers. Mostly for Yellow Perch and Bluegill. 

I eventually moved to the State of California, married a Marine and moved to his home town of Jefferson City, Missouri.

I went fishing not long after coming to Jefferson City. I went with my father-in-law. It was cold and wet, and he took me to Bagnall Damn at Lake of the Ozarks. The Huebler family was with us. We ended up at a heated dock. There was one piece of pie left, and the biggest fish was going to get that piece of pie. Hobert, my father-in-law, caught a small bluegill. Not only small but the only fish caught, and he ate that piece of pie. Never did get over the fact that he actually ate that piece of pie in front of us and didn’t share!

My next fishing trip with Hobert was at the Marion River access. My husband Jim was with us this time.  The bank was really muddy as it had rained the day or two before, but the bank was still wet.  We had been fishing for some time when I finally got a bite. I fought that fish for some time. I couldn’t get down to the water because of the muddy bank.  I finally got it dragged in some. Still didn’t know what it was but was excited as I was the only one that got a fish.  It came off the hook. Hobert, bless his heart, went sliding down the bank to grab that fish for me, his pants split open in the back. I was laughing, but Hobert grabbed that fish for me. Turned out it was a Gar. Jim, my darling husband, was laughing like crazy!  “All that for a Gar?” He called it a fish we don’t keep. Hobert had ruined pants but, by cracky I caught a fish!  LOL!