The Back Page Journal
with Paul Puckett and Mike Benson I haven’t fished in months, and somehow that doesn’t matter (the first time in my life I can say that). Most of my friends have been stuck in their homes, many have had time to sneak off and find a piece of water to themselves, or with a strategically distanced friend. But due to the nature of my job as an ICU nurse, I’ve been working more than ever. My city hasn’t been hit hard in all this mess like others, and I haven’t been working with the COVID-19 patients as much as I’d feared in the beginning, but I’m still pulling four 12-hour shifts per week with sick and dying patients, and now, without the escape that fishing has offered in years past. I keep myself isolated from my friends, because I love them too much to put them in harm’s way just because I want to wet a line. I could fish solo, but while casting to fish and poling at the same time is doable, it’s not what I would call enjoyable. Normally I’d make some attempt at a witty, introspective point of view on this to share with you here on the back page. But I’ll be honest with you—I’m tired.