"Calm down. Start reeling slowly and steadily, keeping the line taut."
Doing as he instructed, she brought the line to the boat, only to discover half of the worm was gone and no fish.
"Bad news. You didn't get a fish. Good news, they are starting to bite. Should have supper soon."
Once he had secured what was left of the worm, she put her line out again and they fished in silence for a while. She found it very relaxing, and decided he was really good company.
Again, she felt a tug on her line. At his direction, she gave the rod a jerk to set the hook, and this time she could feel the fish fighting as she reeled it in. Russ stopped the motor, picked up the net and quickly scooped up the fish as it neared the boat. The hook had just caught on the edge of the mouth, so it was easy for him to release the fish and place it in the container.
"One more and we're done. By the way, that's a nice one you caught. Well done. You take direction well."
"Why thank you, kind Sir. Now it's your turn."
He again baited her hook, she let her line out, and before ten minutes had passed, she had landed her second fish.
"Now you know why men rarely take women on fishing trips. They don't like being shown up."
"Does that mean I can't do this again?" Melanie faked a pout.
"I'll make an exception for you. I'll teach you how to fish and you can teach me more about the Kahunas. Deal?"
"Deal."
"Okay, time to learn how to filet the fish. Come along." Russ led the way.