Okay, one gator story. One gator I named Chomp, and he ended up sticking around longer than any other. Most would take off into the bottom once they got big enough to get a girl or boyfriend. (We lived in Texas, but you should imagine Duck Dynasty instead of tumbleweeds…we’re only an hour or so away from those guys in Louisiana.)
Chomp got bigger and more friendly. I would feed him all the time and he immediately came to the shore when I’d walk down to fish, etc. We’d swim off the dock and Chomp would just float around us, his eyes above water. We were more concerned with the Water Moccasins that would drop off the dock supports than the gator, and we weren’t too concerned about them.
Anyway, Chomp and I had an act where I would dangle a fish that I’d caught and he would open his mouth and I’d throw it in his mouth. I’d flyfish for panfish/bass and he’d just follow me along the bank for a delicious meal.
One time, an old man from church asked if he could bring his grandson out to the house fishing. Dad told him sure, and to just flip the flatbottom boat right side up, look for snakes, then push it out and fish in it. They did, and were fishing for crappie.
We weren’t home, and unfortunately dad forgot to tell Mr. Herman about Chomp. They got out to the middle of the pond and got their first crappie on the line. They reeled it up and was dangling it above water, admiring the first catch the little boy had ever witnessed. I don’t think I have to tell you what happened, but I will.
Like a scene out of Jaws, Chomp comes charging out of the water and engulfs the crappie. Mr. Herman about has a heart attack and, according to him, does not know how the boat did not capsize. The little boy was crying and apparently took a couple years to ever get near open water again. I wasn’t there for the conversation, but I think my dad acted like he had never heard of a gator in our pond before.
The ending wasn’t good for Chomp. He took off to the bottoms as well, and I bid him farewell. But the next year, he came BACK! I know it was him, but he was not the boy he used to be, if you know what I mean. He came up to me and barked (all I know how to describe it). I barked back at him trying to imitate him, and he lunged for me. That is where this story ends, good day.