We lived out near some old cotton fields growing up, near St. Andrews college in Laurinburg NC.

Exploring the old farms and woods was how I spent most of my time in middle school. We lived in that area from 5th - 10th grade. I was mid-popular... Ok lower mid popular. I had a few friends and could make anyone laugh, but we weren't rich so I was never going to be a "cool kid". Best friend was my dog, Levi. 120ish pound rottweiler/lab looking dog that was very intelligent. He'd walk me to the bus stop about a half mile away, and when the bus took off I'd see him trot back towards home. Come 3pm, he was sitting at the stop sign waiting for me. Even on days we got out early, he'd be there. I don't know what time he came back, but he was always there. He would not let anyone near me if they had intentions other than a high five. We had a bond.

Not too far into the woods there was a collapsed shack with a rotted out home made wood boat propped against it. It sat next to a small pond... Maybe 2 acres. It was a puzzle quality scene... Like a 1000 piecer too. 🧩

I started fishing it regularly. With shallower water in NC the fish bite better at dusk and dawn. I had sports and stuff after school, so I started going in the morning. I'd get up a little before sunrise, grab the 2 rods I liked, tackle box, jump on my mountain bike and hold them with my handlebars. Levi trotting by my side. You could ride up to a trench about 200 feet from the pond and you'd have to foot your way through that. A trail on the other side went around the pond and had a few clearing in which you could access the water. There were some slate stones and mill stones down by the waters edge that you could flip over and dig around for crickets and worms. There were always broken shells near the mill stones. Flip the wrong one and you'd see one of those wolf spiders too big to step on. They might take your shoe... Who knows! Levi would sit on the bank with me and I'd throw him a small catch or two and we'd head home in time to shower up and catch the bus. We never saw another person, or debris from other people fishing down there.

One morning things went a little different.

About halfway there we could hear tap tap tapping as if someone was building something nead the pond with nails and a hammer. I thought, "oh great, someone is blocking off the trail and we won't be allowed back there anymore" 😞

Closer, tap tap tap tap.

Now we could see the trench, still tapping, no person at the end of the trail. Got up to the trench, now we could see the shack... Tapping pretty loud now... But no one near the shack either. Tap tap tap - came from the pond. Who would be fishing in our hole? No one else ever comes here. Why would they be fishing with a hammer?

Ditched the bike and climbed through the trench. We got to the entrance of the trail and now you could tell, the tapping was LOUD and right by the waters edge. Levi stopped and sat. My dog that wasn't scared of anything stopped and sat. I patted my leg and his ears went back. I set the rods down and started to ease my way down the trail without making a noise.

TAP TAP TAP CRUNCH THUD

There was a little fog coming off of the water but I could see it now. In the first clearing something huge was hunched over by the mill stones. It was facing away from me. I thought it was a person but there were no clothes, no hat, no gear, just reddish brown fur. I watched from the trail through the brush for what felt like 20 minutes but in reality was probably 2. It raised it's hand up straight out and cracked a baseball size rock onto the mill stones a few times, CLACK CLACK CLACK CRUNCH THUD.

It was the scariest and most interesting thing I had ever seen. I was in awe. As a Harry and the Hendersons fan I'd found one. I was watching one. I tried to take in every detail so I could tell my dad everything.

Something crunches the leaves on the trail... BEHIND ME! I gasp and turn to see Levi (thank God it wasn't another one) had blown my cover. The thing grunt snorts loud enough for me to look back at it. It's shoulders and all we're turned towards us. I could see a nose but no mouth or eyes. Levi barks and RUNS! The jerk left me! The bigfoot gets up and dashes for the trail further ahead up a very steep bank. It cleared an area I would consider impassable in a few strides. It was massive! It looked like it should be shaking the ground with each stride but you couldn't even hear it. I bolt back to the trench, scooped the tackle box, left the rod, climbed out and got on the bike to see a trail of dust Levi left hauling tail to our house. He was sitting in the yard when I got back and looked like he was in more fear than me. I'd never seen him this way. I don't think he bailed on me as much as he was going to get help.

I didn't go fishing there again. I took a friend and my dad down to show them the broken shells... In broad daylight of course. They were little freshwater clam shells. They were broken, not opened. The baseball size rock was still there. It was more like a grapefruit. It was all scarred up. This creature was using a tool! It was smashing open these clams and eating them. Tap tap tap snack. Repeat. No foot prints, it was primarily straw and leaves in that area. Some hair was on a tree, my dad said it was deer fur.

They didn't believe me. Not many people do. I ruined her breakfast. I feel like it was a her... For some reason.

I like to think the rod was an offering and they learned how to use it to fish lol 🎣 I used to sketch a squatch snoozing in a lawn chair with a fishing pole in hand and a bobber on the water. I should recreate it. I'm certain it would make a good shirt!

Thanks for reading! Ask any questions you'd like.