Bonefish Blues Read Free

interest in that whole release thing.” Cody elbowed one of the men in the side. “Know what I mean, boys? That there’s a good day’s fishing.” He looked at the bucket. “Maybe ought to tip the boy something for cleaning them for you.” He accepted a twenty, and exchanged handshakes and fist bumps with his two clients. “See ya’ll at the bar.”
Then he turned back to Will and Ned. “Another banner day, boys,” he said. He winked, pocketed the bill, and headed towards the boat. 
“You going to pass that on?” Will called, referring to the bill in Cody’s pocket.
“Don’t think that’s any of your business. It’s my boy. You looking to clean my fish? Maybe pick up a few extra bucks? Charters ain’t exactly lining up for you.” Cody glanced toward the dock, scowling. “Tell the boy I’m not waiting for him. I’m heading for the bar. He can walk over when he’s done. Tell him I’ll let him practice his driving on the way home.”
Will shook his head. “Yeah, I’ll tell him.” He watched Cody with disdain as he walked toward the dock. Matt had his shirt off, sweat mixing with soap as he scrubbed the boat. “Hey, take a break and let it soak.” He looked over the bloodstained deck and frowned. “Raw water sprayer not working? Wouldn’t be half as bad if he sprayed it down a few times when they’re out there.”
Matt put down the brush and picked up the soda. He took a long sip. “You know the old man. Says it’s all part of the effect.” He put down the drink, picked up the brush, and started scrubbing again. 
Will checked his dock lines. His twenty one foot Action Craft flats boat sat still in the water, the tide slack. He hopped onto the deck and started stowing gear. A quick freshwater spray, and the boat was clean. He was religious about spraying after each fish, although that wasn’t as often as some of his charters would like. It burned him that the man from today had taken a card from Cody. He’d read the guy wrong. Maybe should have chummed up some snappers and let him take a limit. You could still catch them on the fly. Maybe his business would be better if he let the anglers catch limits, but conservation was wired into him, his reputation built on catch and release and he often wrongly assumed his charters knew that before they went out. The two months of tarpon season were different. He was the man then; tarpon season was different, a release only fishery ~ even Cody wouldn’t take tarpon — wouldn’t even fish for them. He was booked solid during the season, but slower the rest of the year. It seemed that since the economy had died, folks had lost interest in catch and release. They were all about filling their freezers. Bonefish and permit, the other catch and release only fish, were sought by a more exclusive, though dwindling group. He thought about his bank account, currently as low as a spring tide. 
Matt was coiling the hose on the dock when Will passed by. He paused and looked at the boy. He reached into his pocket and took out a twenty. It wasn’t right how Cody treated him, “Here. That’s from those guys your dad took out today. Said to meet him at the bar when you’re done.”
“Thanks, Will. I don’t get too many tips.” He pocketed the money, put his shirt on, and headed toward the building.
“Saw you give the boy some cash,” Ned said, approaching. 
“You know Cody is drinking on that tip money right now. He’s a good kid. Doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.”
“Yeah, he is. But he’s not your responsibility. You can’t save everything. When was the last time you went out and had a good time?”
Will just looked at him, saying nothing in acknowledgment. Ned took the cue and went back to the office.

Chapter 3
     
    “Give me seven points and I’ll take Vanderbilt,” Cody said as he chugged his beer. He looked up at the flat screen behind the bar; the talking heads on the screen had all picked Georgia. Cody knew he was going out on a