My Vermont Wildlife Adventures, Vol 2

It may have been a Sunfish, a Rock Bass, or if you were lucky a tasty Yellow Perch.
My cast was much better than expected. The bait landed well away from the dock in deep water. Setting the rod in the fish pail at my side, I stuffed my frigid hands in my pockets. If only the sun would break through it might retire the frost that still clung to the rocky shore.
The rattle of the reel against the inside of the pail ended with a clank, as the pail fell over against the concrete dock. I stood spellbound watching my rod go airborne in the direction the bait had taken moments before. It splashed down and with the appropriate bubbles, promptly sank.
As the ripples drifted outward there was a sudden burst of spray. A sleek silver form erupted in a graceful leap. My line was visible trailing back into the water. Then, the first Champlain Landlocked Salmon I had ever seen made one last splendid appearance before vanishing beneath the surface.