Calkins: The best Southern ice fishing story you will ever read (guaranteed!)
Last April, David McCandless realized he’d caught a fish every day at his home on Horseshoe Lake. Thus, began his “Fish of the Day.” “I released 99 percent of the fish I caught,” he said. (Submitted)
David McCandless would text photos of his “Fish of the Day” to a group of 14 friends. They included John, his best fishing friend; pals from Second Baptist Church, and Carlos, who lives in Honduras and works with McCandless on projects to provide fresh drinking water. (Submitted)
David McCandless’ “Fish of the Day” were not always mighty fish. This fish was longer than a tube of ChapStick, but not by much. (Submitted)
For his “Fish of the Day,” David McCandless would take a picture of every fish he caught. And the picture would include some trophy or knickknack. “It would be a little trophy of a runner, or a statue of a dog, or a book, or anything I could find that would be funny,” McCandless said. (Submitted)
Over the weekend came the ice, cold, then the snow. “I caught two catfish on Valentine’s Day,” David McCandless said. “I took a photo of them with a piece of butcher paper, on which I wrote, ‘Outside 13 degrees, windchill -2.’ ” (Submitted)
When David McCandless awoke at his house on Horseshoe Lake on Monday morning, he had caught at least one fish 335 days in a row. But Monday, he was faced with a frozen lake. “Looks like the streak is over,” McCandless wrote in his daily text to friends. “It was a fun run.” (Submitted)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
David McCandless had caught at least one fish in 335 straight days. Then a historic snowstorm hit. The story of one Memphian’s quest to keep an unlikely streak alive.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Post-pandemic life: Is the mask here to stay?
Someday, the COVID-19 pandemic will be much less of a threat than it is today, and eventually it will be over. What will we do without the mask then? Toss it aside? Still wear it regularly? Or keep it nearby for emergencies?
Here today, gone tomorrow: Make sweets while the snow falls
For the rare times we have enough snow on the ground, Southerners enjoy it by bringing it in their kitchen and stirring up a batch of snow cream.
Health Department’s newest directive a ‘big help’ to area restaurants
Shelby County Health Directive 18 allows greater occupancy, bar seating and a midnight curfew.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.