He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from the dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a new Hampshire lake.
On the day before the bass season opened,
he and his father were fishing early in the evening.
Catching sunfish and perch with worms.
When his rod doubled over,
he knew something huge was on the other end.
He very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water.
It was the largest one he'd ever seen,but it was a bass.
The father lit a match and looked at his watch.
It was 10 pm - two hours before the season opened. 10
He looked at the fish, then at the boy.
"You have to put it back, son." he said. “
"Dad" cried the boy. “
"There will be other fish." said his father. “
"Not as big as this one." cried the boy.“