This is my fishing story. It's one I usually don't tell because it makes me look pretty silly, but for a chance to win a T-shirt, I decided it was worth sharing.

Several friends and I were night fishing when I noticed something slithering up the bank beside me. I screamed, and someone quickly moved the lantern to see what had startled me. It turned out to be a snake dragging one of the bait fish away in its mouth.

The light scared the snake back into the water, and after a while I finally settled down enough to start fishing again. Unfortunately, I was still the only one who hadn't caught a fish all night.

Getting frustrated from losing bait, I decided that the very next bite I got was coming in no matter what. A few minutes later I felt a nibble and gave the rod a mighty jerk.

Sometimes the catch isn't what scares you.

The fish came flying out of the water and landed squarely on my face. Convinced it was the snake, I started yelling, "Get it off! Get it off!"

Everyone else was laughing so hard they could barely help me. They thought I was terrified of a tiny fish, but all I could think about was that snake returning for another visit.

It took a long time before my friends let me forget that night. I suppose every fisherman—and fisherwoman—ends up with at least one story they'll never live down.

Hopefully this one was worth telling!