I was fishing on Lake Texoma a number of years ago with my son – he was fishing a brand new custom rod that I had just made for him, when I hooked a big striper that was giving me quite a battle.

He laid his rod and reel down on the deck of the boat to help me land my fish, when we heard a noise and splash as his new rig went overboard.

Needless to say, the trip home was a long and quite journey.

Early the next morning I headed back to the lake, armed with a metal fish stringer with opened clasps. I cast the stringer into the area we fished and immediately hooked a fishing line – followed by his new rod and reel.

I called my son and reported to him that I had caught his “trophy” and to have it mounted to hang over his fireplace.

Sometimes silence is the best punishment of all.