The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE CATFISH FISHERMAN

THE INFORMANT TOLD THE STORY OF A MAN WHO HAD LOST A HAND AND HAD
A HOOK IN ITS PLACE. HE USED TO FISH ON THE MISSISSIPPI FOR
CATFISH AND WHEN HE'D CATCH ONE, HE'D GET IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT,
GAFF IT WITH HIS HOOK AND HAUL IT IN. WELL, ONE DAY HE GOT ONE
THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE TOO BIG. HE HAD IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT;
BUT WHEN HE GAFFED IT TO HAUL IT IN, IT PULLED HIM UNDER AND
DROWNED HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUNISING

Keyword(s): ACCIDENT

Date learned: 08-00-1966