This is a special appeal from Lily in Phoenix...

Searching for Mel:
I've Got Your Dollar

I am not a "fisherman" per se, but I have fished on and off over the years and enjoyed it when I did.

It seems to me that one of the best parts of fishing is the company you have when you do it. The laughter, the wagers, the constancy of having someone tell you to be quiet so you "don't scare the fish"—and knowing all the while that is not going to happen. After all, how can you possibly share your fish tales if you aren't talking?

Which is what brings me to write this story. I found a dollar bill in my wallet, and at the top of it is written First Bass in Boat 7-20-95 - From - Mel. The way I figure it, Mel was fishing somewhere on a lake with a friend or friends. A bet was made. And somewhere on the lake, maybe in the tall reeds, in a little cove, or perhaps right out in the middle, the first bass was caught.

From the way the dollar bill is worded, I am not sure if Mel was the winner or the loser. I thought I would put this story into circulation to see if Mel remembers that day not so long ago (7-20-95) and the memories and the laughter that was shared. Or, maybe one of Mel's friends remembers that day.

I ended up with the memory making dollar bill in the middle of Arizona where, as you know, lakes are not that plentiful! I imagine the dollar was spent for maybe more bait, or possibly a cold beer somewhere after their day of fishing, where more fishing stories were told.

So, Mel, if you're out there, I've got your dollar if you'd like it. You've got the memories!