The afternoon sun had softened, painting the sky in shades of crimson and orange. The vast expanse of the Meghna River shimmered under the golden light, its gentle waves swaying in rhythm. Gafur Chacha slowly walked towards the dock, carrying an old bamboo fishing rod on his shoulder and a small tin box in his hand—inside were crabs, worms, and pieces of dried fish. His target today: a giant boal fish from the Meghna.

Reaching the riverbank, he stepped into his old dinghy boat and began rowing towards the deeper waters. Upon reaching the middle of the river, he secured the oar and started preparing his fishing line. He tied the string firmly and carefully hooked a crab onto the bait. He had known since childhood that boal fish love the scent of crabs.

“Let’s see how my luck fares today!” he muttered to himself.

He cast his fishing line deep into the river. Securing the rod to the side of the boat, he patiently waited. The Meghna’s waters were calm, with only the occasional wave gently rocking his boat. The distant noise of the shore had faded, leaving behind only the soothing sound of flowing water and the occasional call of fishermen far away.

The First Nibble

Suddenly, the fishing line twitched! Gafur Chacha’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He loosened the line slightly, giving the fish time to take the bait properly. A few seconds later—another strong tug!

“This has to be something big!”

Swiftly, he coiled the line around his fist and pulled hard. A powerful force from beneath the river fought back—it felt like a battle had begun underwater! He let the line slacken a bit and then pulled again, ensuring the fish wouldn’t escape.

The Battle Underwater

Boal fish are incredibly strong; once hooked, they try to escape with the Meghna’s current. But Gafur Chacha was experienced—he patiently reeled in the line, pulling the fish closer with each tug. Feeling threatened, the fish made a desperate dash deeper into the water!

For nearly ten minutes, the intense struggle continued. Sweat dripped from Gafur Chacha’s forehead, his hands trembling with excitement. Slowly but surely, he managed to bring the fish closer.

The Final Catch

As the fish surfaced beside the boat, Gafur Chacha gasped—it was a massive boal fish! Easily weighing 7-8 kilograms, its wide mouth gaped open, its whiskers twitching as if trying to speak.

Gafur Chacha chuckled. “This is a lucky day indeed!”

Just before dusk, he returned to the shore with his prized catch. As soon as he docked, curious villagers surrounded him. “Chacha, where did you find such a giant boal?” they asked in awe.

He only smiled mysteriously—for the Meghna’s secrets weren’t for everyone to know.

That night, a delicious meal was prepared: spicy boal curry, steaming hot rice, and mashed green chilies. Fresh fish from the Meghna always had an unmatched taste. 😊

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📌 Conclusion

Catching a boal fish with a fishing rod in the Meghna isn’t just a task—it’s a game of patience and skill. Being able to catch such a prized fish is a matter of pride. Many, like Gafur Chacha, have had similar thrilling experiences. What’s your best fishing story? 🎣💙