The Old Man’s Place Revisited

(Following is a chapter in my new book, “Fathers, Sons and Old Guns”. The book, containing 50 of the columns I have written over the years is available from Amazon.com)

I met the old fellow once way back in the woods as he ground his pick-up to a rattling halt and stopped to chat when he noticed me walking along the woods road, shotgun over my shoulder on my way home from hunting squirrels.

He told me he lived in Texas but that he owned a little piece of land back there in the woods and that he had planned to dam up the little creek on his place and build a pond.

“I’ve got an old camping trailer I’m going to bring over here so I can have a quiet little place to come on weekends,” the old man said.

The next year as I hunted these woods, I came across the little camper and an old dozer and it was evident that the old guy was true to his word. Dirt had been pushed up along the creek and the dam was indeed taking shape. Having found the site, I’d occasionally swing by the place at the end of my hunting trips to check on the old gentleman’s progress.

Better hunting territory beckoned me elsewhere and I soon forgot the old man and his special little spot back in the woods. It was not until some five years later that I recognized his name in the obituary column. Even though I only saw him that one time, I was saddened by the news of his death, regretting that I hadn’t gotten to know him better.

Awhile back, I returned to the old man’s woods to hunt when I remembered the camper and the pond. Picking my way along the road, now choked with briars and brush, I stepped into a little clearing at the base of the dam. Relieved that the earthen levee had withstood recent floods, I threaded my way through the thicket that had grown up on the dam. My vision was obscured ty the brush and I didn’t see the little trailer until I was almost on it.

I stopped and remembered – it had been at least five years ago that the old man had parked the camper under the big beech across the dam. It was still there just has he had left it when he returned to Texas for the last time, not knowing he’d ever again sit under the beech in the cool of the evening to drink in the wild sounds of an uncluttered forest a mile from civilization.

Peering through the window of the trailer, the scene I saw told a story in itself. Although spider webs and dust had created a lacy veil over everything, I had the eerie feeling that the old man had just stepped out back for a moment and would be coming down the trail at any minute. I resisted the strange urge to knock and call out to him.

There was an open jar of mustard on the cabinet, spider webs clinging to a skillet on the stove, and a plate on the dining table. To the rear was a bed with a crumpled quilt let in disarray when he crawled out for the last time one morning, five years ago.
I walked away with the feeling of reverence, a sense of peace. The old man’s hideaway had become as much a part of the wild woodlands as the silvery beech beneath which it sits in decay.

Sir, may you rest in peace…

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE –. Bass have moved up around the grass and Texas rigged plastic worms are taking some fish around the boat docks as well as on secondary points using crank baits. Some schooling activity is being noted with fish hitting shad imitations. Crappie are around the deep tops and jigs and shiners are taking some. Bream both chinquapins and bluegills are on the beds and hitting crickets and worms. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass have been good with some fish over 10 pounds caught on soft plastics and spinners. Crappie are on the flats suspended 4 feet in 12 foot water and are fair on shiners or jigs. The bream are bedding around the edges of the brush. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – High water. Some bass caught in river lakes. Others are slow. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are scattered with some along banks early on topwater lures and some on the secondary points on crank baits, spinners and Rapalas. Crappie are suspended 8 feet in 14 foot water and taking jigs and shiners. Bream are bedding shallow and hitting worms and crickets and catfish are good fishing off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good on suspended fish on jigs and shiners. Bass are around the banks and hitting topwaters early while later hitting hit jigs, spinners and soft plastics. Bream are on the beds and worms and crickets are working on them. Stripers are beginning to school and hitting shad imitations. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish and bream are best bets this week. Bass and crappie are fair. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is high but on a slow fall. Still too high for fishing. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.