Chainsaw Bill
On our last fishing campout of the year, when we were sent off from our B/B so the landlord's relatives (brother with Lou Gehrig's needed the downstairs) could visit in our unit, we went to our favorite lake that is just 15 minutes up the mountain. On Saturday morning this fellow came along and set up his rod, chair and coffee at the shore. I joined him and realized I had met him last year. 
I didn't recognize him as he had grown a beard. He used to be the barber in our village but is retired now. He has this handy tool that is a gutting knife and a weigh scale too. It came from Europe so I guess I won't get one. He was getting upset with me as I kept catching fish and he kept losing them. Finally he borrowed some of my bait and that didn't help him land any either. He is nick-named Chainsaw Bill. He got the name because years ago some kids were roaring around the hills behind his house on motorbikes and the buzzing noise was disturbing his backyard relaxations. I know the feeling. So he and others went to complain at the village office and were told there was nothing they could do because the village didn't have a noise by-law. One day he got fed up and went down in the evening to the council meeting, walked in, and started up his chainsaw. It was just to show the councillors what the noise was like. He did get their attention, but one councillor tried to take the chainsaw away from him. He got a leg cut and a trip to emergency, and a vist from police followed. He never laid charges but the kids started riding on the other side of the village. I am sure there is more to this story that I may not have heard. Anyhow his nickname "Chainsaw Bill" has stuck and everyone knows who you are talking about when you use his moniker. I love listening to these old village characters.
He ended up cleaning and weighing my fishies for me. This one was a pound and a half which is average for that lake. I ended up giving him two to take to his wife. All he needed to tell her was where he got them, not how. I keep bumping into him on my daily walk-abouts. There is no way to not stop and talk, which is fine as I enjoy him. Some locals turn up their noses about him, but I think he is delightful. It got cold that weekend in late October, and went below 0 C. at night so we were glad to get back down in the valley and cocoon for the winter.
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I didn't recognize him as he had grown a beard. He used to be the barber in our village but is retired now. He has this handy tool that is a gutting knife and a weigh scale too. It came from Europe so I guess I won't get one. He was getting upset with me as I kept catching fish and he kept losing them. Finally he borrowed some of my bait and that didn't help him land any either. He is nick-named Chainsaw Bill. He got the name because years ago some kids were roaring around the hills behind his house on motorbikes and the buzzing noise was disturbing his backyard relaxations. I know the feeling. So he and others went to complain at the village office and were told there was nothing they could do because the village didn't have a noise by-law. One day he got fed up and went down in the evening to the council meeting, walked in, and started up his chainsaw. It was just to show the councillors what the noise was like. He did get their attention, but one councillor tried to take the chainsaw away from him. He got a leg cut and a trip to emergency, and a vist from police followed. He never laid charges but the kids started riding on the other side of the village. I am sure there is more to this story that I may not have heard. Anyhow his nickname "Chainsaw Bill" has stuck and everyone knows who you are talking about when you use his moniker. I love listening to these old village characters.
I enjoyed this post about Chainsaw Bill!! What a great story! Nice that you shared your catch with him! Stay warm, now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. I think I have caught up with you now, Karyn. Sounds like you are getting yourself organised well. It's good to have so many good friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you for checking in. I am wanting some more contacts from around the world. I am not sure how to find the contacts in NZ and China and AU and I would love some contacts in Africa. How do I do that on this site? It was so easy to search for new folk on Yahoo 360 but that was years ago. Any suggestions???? Can you hook me up with some of yours?
DeleteI don't know either to be honest. I have lost most of my friends. I keep bashing away and am just hoping they'll turn up or find me somehow.
DeletePeople like Chainsaw Bill are making this world interesting. That fish looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteThose trout are so sweet and tender. They take very little cooking. I do a big one for 8 minutes each side on medium heat in a teflon pan when in a house. I squirt the insides with lime or lemon and a layer of slices of onion/garlic inside. Super Duper ex p al i do shus .... food for our souls.
DeleteOh my ! Sounds interesting yikes.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo and blog about this unique character.
It's a GOOD good life filled with so many different personalities and places. Smiles
Chainsaw Bill is obviously a character ~ we need more of them in the world.
ReplyDeleteLove the spunk of chainsaw Bill! We once had a woodheater with a flat top one could cook on, welded by a Grand Forks character named Rattlesnake Bill.
ReplyDeleteKaryn, there is a curious button on the top left of our blog pages marked 'next blog'. It takes you to other blogs (for some reason). Might be a way to find new people if you have time.
ReplyDelete