Ben the Monster of Bent Trout Lake

For years the rumor of a huge “Rainbow Trout” lurked in the Bent Trout Lake. No one actually ever saw Ben but huge swirls made by Ben’s tail sent ripples clear across the lake. Some estimated Ben to weigh over 50 lbs.
One beautiful day in May we went to Bent Trout Lake for a day of fishing. We rented a little aluminum boat with an electric motor and a canoe. Some how in a conversation we were going to have a contest to see who would catch the most fish and the Biggest one, girls against the bigboys. Kayleen, Brad and Mom got in the canoe and Blaine, Scott and I were in the boat.
I had the feeling that Monster Ben would be mine. As we trolled across the lake with our lines out I felt an enormous pull on my line. I screamed in excitement, “It’s Ben”. I turned side ways to get a better position to reel my line. At the very moment I turned sideways another enormous pull on my line, losing my balance I fell into the lake. My trusty old pole with a Zebco 202 reel was gone. The boat filled part way with water. Scott quickly slid into my seat and took control of the motor. Mom, Kayleen and Brad were laughing at me until their sides hurt. I had my big winter coat on. With the weight of all my wet clothes on, the boys were unable to pull me back into the boat, so I told Scott to head to the nearest shore. In the excitement Scott puts the motor into reverse. I was hanging onto the side of the boat as he was taking me out into the center of the Lake. Hypothermia was setting in, I pleaded with Scott to take me to shore. Only after promising Scott I would be good did he find forward and slowly so very slowly did we head for shore.
Now mind you, during all this time in my death-threatening situation, Kayleen, Brad and Mom were still laughing at my plight. No fish caught that day, our trip was cut short as the family loaded me into the Pick up and took me home to a hot shower and dry clothes. To the best of my knowledge Old Ben the Monster still lurks in the bottom of Bent Trout Lake chuckling to himself about the time he caught old dad and added another fine rod and reel to his collection.