Dreaming of a Zeebaas

[SAUERKRAUT]

I have had this recurring dream, often in the last couple of years, that somebody would gift me a VS or a Z, for my arsenal. You see, I’m too cheap to just go out and buy one on my own, and I rationalize that my two 706 Z’s will probably last me another 25 years, with a little help from my conventional tackle. I used to be satisfied with my Penn’s; but now, when I show up at social gatherings like Cuttyhunk, etc., I am embarrassed that my outfit looks like crap and plebian in the racks…next to every body else’s gleaming gold, silver, and black. Furthermore, the sand particle grinding of my Penn’s and the manual pickup wheel bearing groan can be heard 50 yards away. In fact, that’s why I fish eels so much…so I don’t have to do so much noisy reeling in the course of a a trip.

In my mind, this is a feasible dream that somebody should gift me a Zeebaas because I think I really deserve it! One scenario ongoing right now: I am in my thirtieth year of faithful staff physician work for my Hospital. Last year, I covered the ER an unprecedented 85 twenty four hour call days in my specialty, while many other community level hospitals of our size do without. So, I went to the Hospital CEO and asked if the Hospital wouldn’t gift me this reel, as a token of appreciation. He just laughed in my face.

Well, I have other credentials: I am coming up on my fifth year wedding anniversary end of July. I have dropped major hints to wife Sandy that a “Z” or a “VS” would be quite fitting for such a landmark occasion. The Mrs. informs me that five years is not a gold or silver anniversary. Rather, five years of marriage to a fishing husband makes this a “lead” anniversary. Because of my fishing conduct, the only gift I will get from her…is a sinker.

So, here is what happened: Numbskull showed up at my doorstep with a Z25 out of the clear blue and gives it to me. It seems that I am the Godfather of Pete, his youngest son. So, through the years, I would buy a US Savings Bond for the kid at Xmas. The kid just graduated from high school this past Spring, and is headed to Williams College (Numby’s alma mater) in the Fall. It seems that these Bonds matured, etc., and they cashed them in…and they decided they shouldn’t keep all the money!

Wow. Well, I took this gift in a moment of despicable weakness. I confess that makes me an “Indian Giver” lowlife. But what else could I do? What would you do? I was helpless standing before that “Z”, just staring at me…and mine for the taking. I feel like Gollum holding the golden ring, as he turns uglier and uglier, repeatedly whispering “My Pretty”.

It dosen't help, though. In two weeks of fishing with this reel, the biggest bass I have managed is 33". I don't think the fish pulled more than ten clicks of drag on a reel strong enough to land a tuna.