NEVER EAT STINK BAIT: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE CREEK BANK by Bryan Mellage
✯✯✯✯ Review by Astrid Galactic
Why did I bother to read Bryan Mellage's book? Fishing isn't one of my favorite past times. The book is listed under the Sports genre. I hate sports! It's not an appealing title, except, look at that title. Never Eat Stink Bait: Lessons Learned from the Creek Bank. How can you not be drawn to something like that? At least, wonder about it. My love for the bizarre and good humor drew me to this book like a catfish getting a good whiff of a well cured batch of stink bait. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into but it turned out that I loved every word in this crazy little book.
Bryan writes about his love for fishing in his own little corner of Southeast Nebraska along the Missouri River. Okay, wait a minute now. This isn't your typical Field and Stream type reporting that would have you running out the door if fishing isn't your sort of lifestyle. Oh, no! This is real, down home storytelling that keeps you captivated from beginning to end and still wanting more.
When I find myself fully immersed in a book, I tend to start visualizing the whole thing in my head as a movie. In this case, throughout the entire book I could hear Wilford Brimley, or some other old country codger type, narrating this story. You know, that grandfather you loved, or wished you had, who filled you full of a lifetime of fish tales and other stories to last you well into your own personal elder years.
But then, only a few chapters in, the script takes a whole new turn, at least, in my twisted head. It took on a tone of a Mike Judge cartoon, ala King of the Hill but with more cow bell. Oh, yes, it's that crazy. Driving along the roads of Southeast Nebraska can be a bit of an adventure and not always one you were hoping for. Roads, apparently, aren't always a priority for those controlling the budget at City Hall. Not for the faint of heart, especially after a good soaking rain. Throw Bryan's good friend and brother-in-law, Gar-Bob, into the mix and things get even crazier. After their pick-up truck veers off the road down the riverbank, it's up to the boys to find a way to get back up on the road again. Let's say, for me, it was reminiscent of Werner Herzog's filming of Fitzcarraldo. More importantly, the documentary about the filming of the movie, Burden of Dreams; albeit, much less daunting, but daunting none the less.
Mellage then goes on to regale us with tales about Christmas shopping as he compares it to a fishing or hunting expedition. Here's where he learns a thing or two from his wife, whom he refers to as the Redhead, and sister, Gar-Bob's wife. We also read about the acquisition of his first vehicle, the art of the zinger, how to pick a good wife and yes, even how to make your own batch of stink bait. There's more but best you sit by your own river (or virtual river) and read them all for yourself. It's a fairly fast, easy and definitely enjoyable read. Happy fishing!
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of the eBook in exchange for a fair and honest review.
(eBook)
Biography
Humor
Paperback, 156 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1733230612
Publisher: Flat Fish Publishing LLC
Release Date: July 12th, 2019
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