ONE OF GOD'S GIFTS
by Tony Taton

For salmon fishing, first light is always the best time to be on the lake - no crowds, no hurry and the air so refreshing your lungs can't get enough of it quickly enough. The best picture is watching the sun rise out of the lake from the east at daybreak.

After our run to our recorded way point, we set the cannon balls and lines at the desired depth with the lures of choice. The first release came at 5:45 a.m. A beautiful 12-pound Chinook was netted and boxed. By eight o'clock, we had five fish in the box, three large king chinooks and two, six-pound cohos.

My friend Ken Chione has a 30-foot boat called Trap Shooter. It is fully equipped with all the toys for salmon fishing, and he knows how to work them. At nine o'clock we had a double release and netted two kings at 16 and 18 pounds. At eleven o'clock, we headed for the Port Sanilac harbor and the cleaning station, where we took a couple of pictures of our catch of 10 fish: six kings, three cohos and one steelhead.

What a wonderful way to spend the first five hours of the day! Ken and I both know the Lord made twice as much water than he did land, because he intended men to fish twice as much as he walks. Truly, the Lord made a wonderful world full of lakes and woods for mankind to enjoy and play in, but to be used, not abused. I always enjoy fishing with Ken, for he is a true sportsman and a good friend and says I am a decent deckhand for an old geezer.

My good wife sends along one of her great fish recipes for salmon: Spray baking dish with oil. Place the salmon in dish. Sprinkle with cornmeal and paprika; dot each piece of fish with a dab of oleo. Season with seasoning salt. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. A small salad and a goblet of wine with one you love will complete the setting.

By the way, I don't know at what age one becomes an old geezer. Pick a number. (The real old timers choose any number for they claim it is better than no number).