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The stern-looking fisherman made up his mind.
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With practiced precision, Mark Jennings executed the final maneuver - a swift, upward thrust that broke the water's surface. There, firmly gripped in his weathered hand, thrashed a 16-inch channel catfish, its silvery scales catching the Missouri sun. "Another successful hunt," he announced, his voice carrying the quiet pride of generations. While channel cats lack teeth, their powerful suction can leave telltale marks. "See these circular bruises?" Jennings demonstrated, showing minor abrasions on his palm. "That's just nature's receipt. Doesn't hurt much - feels like a vacuum cleaner got too friendly." The entire process, from initial submersion to release, took under three minutes. Jennings carefully measured the fish against his marked waders before gently returning it to the river. "We take only what we need for the table," he explained. "These waters have fed my family for decades. It's our duty to keep them healthy."
