This is the first story written by Nancy A. Collins that I have come across, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Collins shares with us the fate of Hop Armstrong, a ladies man who reluctantly begins fishing the Mississippi for dinner at the request (although direction might be more accurate) of his current companion, Lucinda. Upon Hop's arrival at the muddy river, he meets Sammy Herkimer, who tells Hop about the history of Steamboat Bend (where the fishing docks are located). The story involves an old paddleboat, and details how it was sunk many years ago by the creatures that dwell in the river...
Some of what Sammy tells Hop seems like an urban legend, but as Hop continues to fish the docks each day, he soon finds out that there may be something to the legend of Steamboat Bend. Hop is more interested in playing his guitar than he is in fishing, and his musical talents soon help him to discover that there might be more than just catfish in those muddy waters.
Collins paints an excellent portrait of a poor southern town, and her pacing throughout the story is excellent. The action progresses without feeling rushed, and events unfold quite naturally. Though I have never been to the Mississippi, I could picture the muddy waters and the dilapidated docks. Characters with names like Sammy and Hop, as well as a town named Flyjar, complete the southern feel nicely. Though I have never read any of Nancy A. Collins' other stories, I would definitely recommend her work based upon this short story.
"Catfish Gal Blues" can be found in the anthology 999: New Stories of Horror and Suspense, which was compiled and edited by Al Sarrantonio.
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