The pink sun was just coming up over the horizon when Marcus and his uncle arrived at Lake Minnow, Marcus had been awake since well before dawn. He and his uncle had left their sleeping town to make the two-hour trip to what Marcus's uncle called "the best fishing lake in the whole state." Marcus was excited. This was not like the other fishing trips he had taken where he stood on the bank and fished. This time he was going to fish from his uncle's fishing boat The gates at the marina swung open as Marcus and his uncle pulled up. Marcus could see rows and rows of all kinds of boats, There were motor boats, pontoon boats, sailboats, and even canoes. Marcus had never seen such a beautiful sight. The air smelled of fresh water, fish, and worms. Marcus knew that they were getting close to where the fishing boats were docked. s He was right. His uncle's car slowed to a stop as they approached a big rusty boat. Marcus could see the handles on the side of the boat where he could place his fishing pole. He sensed that this was going to be the best fishing trip ever Because Marcus and his uncle wanted to be on the water before eight o'clock, they quickly donned their life jackets and loaded the boat with their equipment and bait. Marcus's unclestarted up the big engine on the boat right away. Now the air smelled like a mixture of gas and oil as the big boat pulled away from its dock. Marcus's uncle was careful to go slowly as the boat left the marina. There were "No Wake" signs everywhere, and Marcus knew that meant the same boats couldn't make any waves. 5 After they reached the open water, Marcus's uncle pushed up on the throttle of the boat. The lake air rushed through Marcus's hair. For the first time that day, he felt a little chilly. "How far are we going?" Marcus asked his uncle 6 "I've heard they're catching walley out around the islands," answered his uncle. "We'll be there in about ten more minutes. Then we'll just drift.Marcus wondered why on Earth they would drift. His uncle explained that the drifting boat would cover more ground and allow them to find more fish. When they reached their destination, Marcus was ready to start fishing Marcus's uncle turned off the motor on the boat. the He didn't drop an anchor to hold them in place. Marcus baited his first hook with a big juicy worm and threw it over the side of the boat. He remembered when he used to feel squeamish about baiting his hook with worms but not anymore. Just seeing the worms made him ready to fish, Marcus knew that it sometimes took awhile to get even a nibble on the line. So he was prepared to wait. B He soon found out that fishing in this big lake was different. He felt a tug on his line, and his uncle yelled, "Set the hook! 9 "What does that mean?" Marcus shouted back, 10 "Pull your rod tip up NOW!" his uncle said. He went on to explain that pulling up the tip would set the hook in the fish's mouth, The tone of Marcus's uncle's voice let Marcus know that he wasn't the only one who was excited,Marcus set the hook. He knew what to do next, He started to reel up the line. He kept reeling and reeling. Just when he thought he was making progress, his fishing line would go back out again, "What's happening?" Marcus shouted, You've got yourself a fighter," his uncle chuckled, "Keep reeling, and you'll get him in. Marcus did what his uncle said. Before he knew it, the biggest fish he'd ever useen was inside the boat and flopping this way and that. Way to Marcus!" his uncle cheered Marcus was grinning from ear to ear. "Will ld you take a picture of me and my fish?" he begged his uncle, He wondered how the day could get any better. As unbelievable as it seemed, it was only nine o'clock in the morning, and he'd already caught the biggest fish of his life