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In
the midst of a session that dealt with taxes, Medicare fraud and other
serious issues, the Texas Legislature finally dealt with an issue
of concern to East Texans--noodling.
I have to admit that, in my seventy-five years of living in East
Texas, I did not know what noodling was.
So I consulted a Webster Dictionary, but it wasn’t of much help.
I found nooky, which means sexual activity; nooning, which means having
a meal at noon; and a definition of noodling that means playing an
instrument in a “desultory manner.”
But I couldn’t imagine the Legislature banning musical instruments.
Then, in an East Texas
newspaper, I read Jacksonville
Senator Robert Nichols’ report to his constituents.
After reporting on new budget estimates, Medicare fraud, reauthorizing
the Texas Forest Service and insurance for dependents of state employees,
Senator Nichols reported on the noodling issue.
Noodling,
it seems, is catching catfish with your hands. And until this year,
noodling was illegal in Texas. Just why this practice was illegal
is beyond my comprehension.
If you can catch catfish with hooks and lines, why would grabbing
them with you bare hands be illegal?
Anyway, Senator Nichols persuaded the Texas Senate to pass legislation
that allows individuals with a valid fishing license to practice noodling.
“While this is not a practice I would necessarily recommend, those
with valid fishing license should not be prevented from enjoying this
activity.” said Senator Nichols He added a footnote: “To limit individual
pursuit of happiness in such a way would be a little fishy.” The senator
is a good lawmaker, but a lousy punster.
In
a second East Texas newspaper,
I read another fishy story. The writer, a county extension agent,
said fish “can see color under the water and, frankly, they see better
under the water than we can.”
Marion County Extension Agent Brock Fry said, ”When fishing a jig
in muddy water, you probably want to use a larger profile bait that
makes noise or even smells”
“For the most part, you will find that the more active fish are associated
with clearer water, yet not fish bowl clear,” said Fry.
Now that you know what noodling is and that fish can see underwater,
perhaps it’s time to stop reading and go to the lake.
Bob Bowman's East Texas
July 5, 2011 Column
A weekly column syndicated in 109 East Texas newspapers
(Bob Bowman of Lufkin.
is the author of almost 50 books about East
Texas history and folklore.) |
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