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KARMA ON THE WATER AN ANGLER OBSERVES MOMENTS OF POETIC JUSTICE STORY BY TONY ENSALACO • ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOSEPH FRUEAUF
I
am definitely not superstitious (knock on wood). I refuse to legitimize any irrational, mumbo-jumbo fallacies that can “supposedly” have a negative impact on my life if I don’t follow its rules. In fact, I purposely go out of my way to walk under ladders, insist on letting black cats cross in front of me, and make it a point to step on every crack that I can
land my size 10 sneakers on. I spoke to my mother this morning and she says her back feels fine. Now, when it comes to karma, that’s a different story. I mean, who am I to tempt fate by challenging a religious belief that dates back thousands of years? Besides, I have firsthand experience witnessing the wrath of karma and what it’s capable of
doing to someone, so I want to make sure that I stay in its good graces.
THE FIRST TIME I was exposed to karma
was on my honeymoon. I wanted to take my new bride on an Alaskan fishing trip – fly into Anchorage, rent a car and maybe fish some of the streams along the Kenai Peninsula’s road system. She had her heart set on a beach vacation. So, we did what any newly married couple would do: We compromised … by going on a beach vacation. She did agree, however, to throw me a bone by letting me book a half-day saltwater charter that ran out of Sarasota, Florida. What an angel. As soon as we met the captain on the dock, I knew the day was going to be a disaster. He was a portly, foul-mouthed, crusty old codger who had a knack for
Our correspondent Tony Ensalaco has endured his share of frustrating and awkward interactions while fishing, including with “a portly, foulmouthed, crusty old codger who had a knack for dropping F-bombs between every three or four words.” Fortunately, for him, karma intervened and he felt vindicated. (JOSEPH FRUEAUF)
aksportingjournal.com | JUNE 2021
ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
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