Postcard from Nimishillen Township: Fishing for mail

This is a fishing story, but its not a tall tale. Its true. And you can check its veracity when you drive into Louisville on state Route 44.

There at the mailbox of the Beck family at 3480 Ravenna Ave. NE is evidence that Gary Beck likes to cast a fishing rod from time to time.

Actually, a fishing rod is beside the mailbox. So is a fishing net. The mailbox itself is a huge fishing lure and fish seem to swim in the imaginary water beneath the letter receptacle.

Looks from the brightening of faces upon sightings of the collection of fishing gear that Becks outdoor hobby has good-naturedly gotten out of hand.

Lifes too serious, Beck simply says when asked why he put up the fishing equipment. You might say it makes a statement.

Beck, a custodian for Louisville City School District and a nuisance trapper on the side, found the fishing lure mailbox near Shreveport, La., while visiting his daughter, Jessica Beck, who is stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. His son, John Beck, also is in the Air Force and stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base at Anchorage, Ala.

I though, doggonit, that looks pretty nice, he recalled. Since its a fishing lure and we love to fish, I bought it and brought it home. My sons buddy, Brian Miller we call him our other son because hes always around gave me a fishing pole. One thing led to another and I put up a net.

Becks wife, Shirley Ann, suggested that the water-dwellers be situated below the mailbox.

She said we needed a school of fish, so I went ahead and cut out some wooden fish and painted them all different colors, said Beck. When the wind blows they kind of move around like theyre swimming.

The reaction is as you might expect amusement.

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Postcard from Nimishillen Township: Fishing for mail