Fish Hook

by Sherry P.

It started out like any other day at the cabin... pack the cooler bag, snacks and let's hit the water to see who can catch the first and biggest fish. I've been going there for 15 years with my dad for our annual fishing trip and staying at his friend Ross' wilderness cabin. If I could, I would spend the entire summer there.

Shortly after arrival at the spot of my choosing, I felt a nibble on my line. When I got the fish to the boat, I grabbed it with my right hand and the fish fought the tension and flipped causing the other hook to lodge in my hand. I shouted to dad and Ross that I needed help, quickly. Before Ross could take a few steps to the front of the boat where I was, the fish was wriggling to get loose, thus pushing the hook further into my hand. Then dad brought some dirty pliers and cut the circle which released one of the hooks lodged in the crook of my first finger and thumb. Thank God, now what were we going to do? We were about a 15 min boat ride back to the cabin to get the truck keys and head to the main dock which was 35 min away and then 2 hours to the nearest town, maybe longer because it had rained. The rain causes the gravel road to be extremely bumpy and slow down traffic. Every reason to panic.

At this point, I just looked at it and took a deep breath and surrendered to the fact that I had a fish hook stuck in my hand and I needed help... the only thing I could do to help was to remain calm. I accepted that I could not change the situation and repeatedly took deep breaths, even managing a few smiles on the boat ride back to the cabin. We figured if we could get to land, dad or Ross would be more steady to yank the hook out and also to get the clean pliers. Climbed up the hill to the picnic table, sat down and the surgery began. We froze it with two ice cubes, all we had. Dad opened the new package of pliers and I sat with my head between my knees on the bench and he yanked it out. He was shaking more than I was. I felt cold after this and so we sat around for about an hour just absorbing the shock and adrenalin pump and then we returned to the waters. There was no blood when the hook came out, just a small amount of swelling.

I believe it went so smoothly because I had the mindset to surrender and become calm, quiet and still - what you teach so well in yoga class! I heard your voice, while I would have normally been in panic mode, calming me down.

When we arrived back home and told mom the story, she looked at me and said, "I don't understand why you love going there so much. Oh and you better get to the clinic for a tetanus shot." So I got the shot to please my mother. The after-effects of the shot hurt more than the removal of the hook!