This story goes back years ago when I was just a little "Pier Rat"….well actually, I was just a "Wharf Rat" at that time. On that particular day I was fishing with my Uncle Bill who was down visiting from New Jersey, and we were fishing at a local marina in south Florida. Now Bill knew a lot about fishing up in Jersey, but nothing when it came to south Florida fishing. Oh yes, he could tell you how to take the hook out of a sea robin, how to handle baby sharks with kid gloves, and how to deal with the sharp teeth of the flounders, bluefish, and weakfish. But Uncle Bill didn't know diddly about our south Florida species, as you will come to find out.

The day started out pretty good, we caught a few sheepshead, several snappers, and a few catfish which I removed all the hooks from. Now while I was holding the last catfish that I had caught, Uncle Bill wanted to know why I was being so cautious about gripping it in a certain cautious way. I told him that if I wasn't careful that the dorsal fin or pectoral fins could stick me. I then showed him how sharp the ends of each fin were, as well as pointed out the dangerous and poisonous barbs that came off the sides of each of three fins.

Just like grown-ups often do, and before I could say anymore, Uncle Bill reached over and snatched the catfish right out of my hand. He said to me, "You can't be afraid of a little catfish stick!" Bill then laid the still flopping catfish on the dock and continued, "Let me show you how to remove the hook without even holding the fish." I tried to stop him...I knew what he was about to do...it was too late.... he acted before I could speak. Uncle Bill stepped on the top fin of the catfish with his right work boot. Bill immediately let out a bloodcurdling scream and I knew what had happened. The top dorsal spine of the catfish had stuck Uncle Bill right through the bottom of his thick sole work-boot!

Now I don't want you to think that I just stood there and laughed or was heckling my Uncle, but I have to say it was pretty darn hilarious. To see my Uncle, (who was going to show a child how to remove a hook from a harmless little catfish), now hopping around on the dock on one leg, kicking looking like "Bruce Lee", trying to get this still flopping catfish out of his foot and boot!

Uncle Bill had to be rushed to the hospital to have this catfish surgically removed from his foot. The Doctor at the hospital asked Uncle Bill, "Why didn't you use caution when trying to unhook this catfish? And why in the world would you step on the top spine?" Uncle Bill hung his head and replied, "The boy was trying to show me the proper way to unhook the fish but, I thought I knew a better way?"

So you grown-ups just remember this: you may be adults and have been around the world and seen a lot of things in your years. But when it comes to certain things maybe you should take some time out, slow down and listen to your children. For they just might keep you out of trouble?