Thanks to Animal Planet, I’ve learned about a sport which is way above and beyond regular old fishing. It’s called “Noodling” – also known as Hillbilly Handfishin’!! There’s a new show (called Hillbilly Handfishin’) that I’m infatuated with! It takes place in some gnarly muddy lakes and rivers in Oklahoma where a local family hosts city slickers from around the states as they learn some Hillbilly Handfishin!

This experience starts off with wading into water so muddy I’d say it was zero visibility (scary), finding the submerged shelters where the catfish hang, then locating the entrance and exit points and shoving your hands and feet inside!!! (EEEEEEEWWWW!!) All the while hoping to get bit by a huge catfish so you can pull it up with your hand!!! But beware there are other things that may be lurking in these holes like snapping turtles that can bite off a finger! The anticipation while waiting to get bit must be incredible!! Just watching these folks on TV has me sitting on the edge of my seat!

I think I’d actually like to try this someday! But my fellow Noodlers may want to wear earplugs because the second a catfish clamps down onto me I can guarantee I’ll scream so loud they’ll hear me back in California!