Meet the ‘Rock Ness Monster’

Daydreamin’ on the river is one of my favorite pastimes, for sure.

Making clouds look like giant fish. Envisioning the battle to come with the next state-record flathead catfish.

But we don’t all think alike. In fact, what some people dream of would never cross some others’ minds. Several years ago, while sitting on top of the hill behind their homes in Como, three men had a vision.

Recently, that vision became reality – and just in the nick of time.

You see, when lifelong local residents Tom Walker, Rod Rhodes and Marvin Younger Jr. sat atop their banktop perch on a warm sunny day a few years back, it was Marvin’s mind that wandered most.

Marvin noticed the recently deposited log on the east bank of the Rock River and instantly had a brainstorm. However, before time ever permitted, the tree was lost to another bout of high water. So Marvin’s vision was put on hold.

This was just temporary, though, as more high water replaced the lost log with a perfect replacement to set the wheels in motion.

Marvin’s idea was to build up the log to mimic the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Using old wood carvings and some nails and paint, the crew went to work on the downed tree. Several hard hours of work finally produced the finished product – what we like to refer to as the “Rock Ness Monster.”

Finally, the vision became reality.

Circumstances beyond human control made this Monster more special than they ever imagined. You see, mastermind Marvin, who had battled a serious illness for a long period of time, passed away Aug. 11. He left behind many friends and family members, and one very special monster.

Marvin loved the river, fishing it and spending time boating as well. So now when people who knew him pass the Como area and glance at the east bank, they will certainly think of “J.R.”

What will everyone else think? It is hard to tell. It is kind of neat thinking that this may start some wild young imagination to talkin’ himself into thinking he just saw a Monster.

Real or not, one thing is for sure. On any given morning to the east, across the river from the Como shores, lays a monster. Born from a river rat’s mind and given life by the hands of men who called him friend.

•••

So, here we are in mid-August already. Squirrel season is in full swing, and the weather has really started to cooperate with some cool, dry mornings. Squirrel hunting is still tough, though, with all the leaves on the trees and undergrowth on the forest floor.

These cooler mornings are prime time to be out and about scouting your deer woods. Find those feeding patterns and get your stands hung and limbs trimmed now. Fling a few arrows and make sure your bow and your Jell-O arm are ready for the season. Six weeks until the season starts, so don’t procrastinate!

Also a reminder, if you’re looking for something to do next Saturday, the Cabela’s King Kat series will be in Dubuque, Iowa, with the weigh-in from 3 p.m. till about 5 in the parking lot of the Mystique casino. Go Catfish!