Hello everyone. Here's "Fish Head" . PRONUNCIATION: For the word "slough" (not used much in British English in the sense meant in this story) I referred to Merriam-Webster dictionary which suggested US speakers (except in New England) would pronounce the word "slew" or "sloo". It said that British English speakers would usually say "slau" (like the English town) even if they were refererring to an American swamp. As a British English speaker that was what I went with. Any issues, take it up with the dictionary people. CONTENT ADVICE: 📢Loud noises 🤬Discriminatory language. EDITORIAL NOTE: Story slightly edited to avoid demonetisation. 🙏 Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, SHARE, COMMENT to help me "grow" my channel. Thank you.🐟
*Magpie Audio* just had the AI Bot find a word on *Greg's* latest story. A bot doesn't know the difference & now the story & the channel is being punished ... unjustly
@@mijiyoon5575 Yes, I saw the Magpie business. In a way, it makes sense to have bots policing the site which is otherwise too big to monitor for offensive content. The problem is that you can't easily get in touch with a human to overturn a decision. And even if you do, they don't understand. I did a story with the offending "f word" a while ago and half expected it to get picked up. How long before I have to start self-censoring to "bundle of sticks"...? 🤷♂️
You know it’s a great story when within minutes you’re there watching from a distance, the airless oppressive damp heat, the sounds and oh! no, the mozzies. Your narration Mr L’Estrange takes us there in an instant, you are in my humble opinion the best. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this! My dad grew up in western Kentucky in Irvin Cobb's hometown of Paducah. He was a fan of Mr. Cobbs in his youth and collected all of his books. Usually known as a humorist (with a little dark humor now and again) this story of a legend of Reelfoot is quite a treat!
As a structural engineer, I am well-acquainted with the 1811 New Madrid earthquake, but until hearing this story I was unaware of the existence of Reelfoot Lake. According to Wikipedia, the lake currently covers 15,000 acres, but its maximum depth is only 18 feet. Water levels are regulated by a spillway, which was rebuilt in 2013. A surprisingly edifying horror tale! (As always, many thanks, Jasper, for your narrative mastery).
Thank you Jasper 🙏 Your narrations are getting better and better...ever more atmospheric and immersive, creating a complete world of sound, and image and sensation🌺 So grateful for your work!
Oh my!! I live in the American south. I’ve eaten many catfish in my day. I can see so easily that which you describe. And it’s every bit as buggy, creepy, humid and fishy as it seems. I’m sad, horrified, and yet also GLAD of the way this ends. And I feel justified in my private thoughts that men (and women, of course) are the real monsters. 👏 Good job.
That was a truly electrifying story, Jason. I could smell it all! I loved the long descriptive first part that builds up the whole atmosphere before Fish head comes in. 🌹
I really enjoyed this story. You had me hooked, line and sinker from the beginning. I always love the sound effects and tracks of your stories. This one did not disappoint!! ❤
Wow this is superb writing, the setting is beautifully built, and the tension creeps up wonderfully!! Jasper, your narration is perfect for this, and I truly believe that you make reading aloud a fine art!! Thank you.
Thank you Mr.J, you just made my long weekend. Who's afraid of the big bad shark? 🦈 Now there's another reason to wonder what's under the still surface of the water....
I wondered about that word too. Being from the American South, I have always heard and said “slew”, but on hearing you speak, I wondered if your pronunciation was how most other people pronounced it. Anyway, this is one of my favorite weird tales of all, having so much of the description being something I am familiar with and can see very clearly as I hear the words. I love the English tales as well, but when they talk about heather and gorse and such things, I can’t form much of a mental picture. Thanks for doing this one, and you did an excellent job.
I spend time kayaking flatwater lakes and tributaries in the southeastern US. Whenever I ask directions on waterways (or hire a local guide) the word "slough" is pronounced as 'slew'. Keep in mind that the deep South of the US has many, many English dialects. It's anything but uniform in that respect. Just a curiosity for you. Cobb had obviously been to Reelfoot. It is indeed as he describes it. And was formed just as he relates, from the slippage of the New Madrid Fault.
Wow, the kayaking sounds wonderful! I did a whole take saying "slew" but then I checked Webster's and it said British English pronunciation is always "slau" (like the town) even for this North American use of the word. Since I decided to spare y'all my attempt at an accent I reverted to slau/Slough. It's such a vivid piece of scene-setting by the author and the history of the place (with which I was not familiar) is fascinating.
@TheWanderingFinnegan In American it is "slew" but as I was using my English accent I deferred to the Merriam Webster dictionary that told me British English speakers tend to use "slough/slau" for ALL meanings of the word including this one. If the dictionary is wrong I'm a bit lost I'm afraid.
From the dictionary: SLOUGH - swamp, backwater (sense 1) In the US (except New England) for those for whom sense 1 is familiar: slu British (usually for both senses): slau I take this stuff seriously and anticipated the slu/slau question.
@EnCryptedHorror I figured you'd done research. I just sent the bit of local dialect as a curious bit of info. I speak a dialect of English called south Georgia low country that drives people outside my region absolutely bats when they hear me talk. I didn't mean to mention the southern US pronunciation out of any kind of criticism, but only as an interesting kernel. You are my favorite narrator.
I'm going to have to listen again. Got distracted by the pronunciation of crappie and went down a rabbit hole researching it and missed the story. lol... I've always pronounced it like "croppy," but apparently there's a real debate out there - even among fishermen. One guy said he had to switch to "croppy" because "crappy" made his kids giggle.
@@rebeccawoolfolk5377 Gosh, never occurred to me that crappie had a different pronunciation. I went down my own rabbit hole with "slough" ("sloo" in American apparently for this meaning, "slau" to rhyme with "ow" in British English) but I ended up recording "sloo", "slau" and "sloff" for safety while I verified...🙄
For those interested in American Indian history the great Shawnee chief/warrior/prophet Tecumseh predicted the 1811 Earthquake some years before it happened and spent that time building the Red Stick Confederacy of eastern Tribes to oppose the Americans with British aid during the War of 1812. The New Madrid quake was the great sign he promised. True story.
I'm trying to say "wow, that's interesting" without sounding sarcastic, but it really is interesting. I love all these historic bits and pieces. It really adds weight to the story
@@petere5826 Yes. When the Cherokee refused his coalition to fight the Europeans, he told them that he would return home and that the stamp of his foot would shake the land.
Shawnee and Cherokee never got along were always fighting over the Kan-tuck-ee hunting grounds. Never lived there though for fear of the “spirits” that dwelt there…
That whole area from the Mississippi thru Reelfoot to the Land Between the Lakes area is steeped in haunted lore , cryptids, Indian curses, witches etcetc. Want to travel down the rabbit hole? Simply google “ The Beast of LBL” I’m still stuck in that rabbit hole…
I can’t help myself. You’re just the best! Just had to share again that I really appreciate this author’s descriptive style and your skill of storytelling does it great justice. Another excellent choice! Many thanks!…..came back to listen to it again ☺️
Awwww, sweet Jesus, your narration is like drinking Guinness wearing a velvet dress in a Thorntons factory. (Yeah, that’s a good thing) The best on UA-cam. Really appreciate the work you put into your craft- for that’s what it is- a craft. Especially so, after suffering so many AI story tellers lately, that don’t seem to bother with punctuation or nuance. Damn machines. Going to become a Neo-Luddite
@@alisonaustin7299 Drinking Guinness wearing a velvet dress in a Thorntons factory sounds like a terrific night out 😄. The trouble with the AI thing is that at the moment it's sort of passable enough to fool you for a couple of seconds at most, and the channels that use it are very rarely upfront about it.
An incredible story, and so immersive. Plenty of those wait! wait! what's going to happen! moments. And the sound effects were perfect, especially Fish Head's long, mournful howl. Interested to know what you put in the search bar to find that one. Thank you Jasper. ❤
@@thehangingparsiple5692 I was worried that I might have to record the howl myself...😬...Luckily I found something that sort of felt close to what I had in mind.
Thaks Jasper lm so sick and this really helps,and lve finally found someone who pronounces "Crappie" correctly😂.Also we had legendary Catfish back in Lake Murray in my youth
I don't have a choice, I'm afraid. I take this pretty seriously, you know. And I recorded multiple takes with the "slew" pronunciation before the dictionary convinced me otherwise. Had I taken the decision to read in a Deep South American accent I would have used "slew", but it didn't seem right to use it when speaking with my own accent because we don't really use the word in the UK, but the dictionary advised that British English speakers (and New Englanders) use "slau".
Hello everyone. Here's "Fish Head" . PRONUNCIATION: For the word "slough" (not used much in British English in the sense meant in this story) I referred to Merriam-Webster dictionary which suggested US speakers (except in New England) would pronounce the word "slew" or "sloo". It said that British English speakers would usually say "slau" (like the English town) even if they were refererring to an American swamp. As a British English speaker that was what I went with. Any issues, take it up with the dictionary people. CONTENT ADVICE: 📢Loud noises 🤬Discriminatory language. EDITORIAL NOTE: Story slightly edited to avoid demonetisation. 🙏 Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, SHARE, COMMENT to help me "grow" my channel. Thank you.🐟
Thank you!
*Magpie Audio* just had the AI Bot find a word on *Greg's* latest story. A bot doesn't know the difference & now the story & the channel is being punished ... unjustly
@@mijiyoon5575 Yes, I saw the Magpie business. In a way, it makes sense to have bots policing the site which is otherwise too big to monitor for offensive content. The problem is that you can't easily get in touch with a human to overturn a decision. And even if you do, they don't understand. I did a story with the offending "f word" a while ago and half expected it to get picked up. How long before I have to start self-censoring to "bundle of sticks"...? 🤷♂️
New member here! Listened to quite a bit already, and love it all! I don't know what I would do without you, Tony Walker, & Ian Gordon!
@jayfox28 Welcome to the channel 👋
You know it’s a great story when within minutes you’re there watching from a distance, the airless oppressive damp heat, the sounds and oh! no, the mozzies.
Your narration Mr L’Estrange takes us there in an instant, you are in my humble opinion the best. Thank you.
Great comment, and so true 👍
Fish Head, the character, made me think of the creatures in Shadow over Innsmouth right away. Thank you.
Yes, it's said Lovecraft was an admirer of this story and possibly drew inspiration from it.
@@rosiemcnaughton9933 I can see how the image of the fish/man would cling to the mind of an imaginative writer like Lovecraft.
Thanks for sharing this! My dad grew up in western Kentucky in Irvin Cobb's hometown of Paducah. He was a fan of Mr. Cobbs in his youth and collected all of his books. Usually known as a humorist (with a little dark humor now and again) this story of a legend of Reelfoot is quite a treat!
As a structural engineer, I am well-acquainted with the 1811 New Madrid earthquake, but until hearing this story I was unaware of the existence of Reelfoot Lake. According to Wikipedia, the lake currently covers 15,000 acres, but its maximum depth is only 18 feet. Water levels are regulated by a spillway, which was rebuilt in 2013. A surprisingly edifying horror tale! (As always, many thanks, Jasper, for your narrative mastery).
Yes, I was surprised it was a real place. It explains how the author could describe it so vividly.
This is the first time I've heard a telling of this short story. It's a favorite of mine, and I've read it many times. Well done! Thank you.
You're welcome! Really glad you enjoyed my reading 😊
Thank you Jasper 🙏
Your narrations are getting better and better...ever more atmospheric and immersive, creating a complete world of sound, and image and sensation🌺
So grateful for your work!
@@rheinhartsilvento2576 Thank you! I'm so glad you think so 🙏
The sounds just get better and better! I remember this story from ages ago
It's an oldie but goodie!
@@EnCryptedHorror
Really excited then Jasper? 😂😂
@@EnCryptedHorror
Really excited then Jasper? 😂😂
@@EnCryptedHorror
Really excited then Jasper? 😂😂
Wifi playing up innit 🙄😡
Oh my!! I live in the American south. I’ve eaten many catfish in my day. I can see so easily that which you describe. And it’s every bit as buggy, creepy, humid and fishy as it seems. I’m sad, horrified, and yet also GLAD of the way this ends. And I feel justified in my private thoughts that men (and women, of course) are the real monsters. 👏 Good job.
Never tasted catfish. Like a bit of monkfish though. They're ugly too 😁
From NC. Back in the day, (60s-70s) we usually ate flounder. But cat fish has been all the rage for quite a while now. Too "meaty" for my taste.
This story is superb! I loved the scene setting, it was very immersive. It's a bit like a Bayou Innsmouth story, but with a sympathetic character. 🐸
Lovecraft was a fan of this story.
Good narrator, good story
That was a truly electrifying story, Jason. I could smell it all! I loved the long descriptive first part that builds up the whole atmosphere before Fish head comes in. 🌹
It was terrific scene setting, all of it actually. Vividly described action.
Always so happy to hear from you Jasper!
Thank you 😊
I really enjoyed this story. You had me hooked, line and sinker from the beginning. I always love the sound effects and tracks of your stories. This one did not disappoint!! ❤
I'm glad 👍
_Fish Head_ by Cobb
Nice
@@SpoopySquid Ikr 😄
Thanks!
Thanks for the SuperThanks 🙏
That. Was. Awesome!!!!
@@kesselparsecs7841 Glad you liked it 👍
Excellent!
Mr. Cobb himself had a bit of a batrachian appearance.
Haha! Yes he did 😁
My goodness - just checked - and yes, he really did, didn't he? 😅
Just had a look... and yup.
Batrachian is a lovely word - never heard of it before ❤
So nice with the scary mermaid sounds, thank you very much!
You're welcome! 😊
Fish Head sounds like he would fit right in with residents of Innsmouth. The description of him makes him sound like deep one and human hybrid
Funny that you should say that as this story was one that Lovecraft had read and may have served as an inspiration for "The Shadow Over Innsmouth".
Wow this is superb writing, the setting is beautifully built, and the tension creeps up wonderfully!!
Jasper, your narration is perfect for this, and I truly believe that you make reading aloud a fine art!!
Thank you.
@@kevinmortimer5681 It really is superb writing. Descriptive without ever feeling laboured.
Such a wonderful choice! I can attest to the size of the Mississippi area cat fish. They are monstous brutes.
Been looking them up on UA-cam. Truly monstrous.
Thank you Mr.J, you just made my long weekend. Who's afraid of the big bad shark? 🦈 Now there's another reason to wonder what's under the still surface of the water....
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
I wondered about that word too. Being from the American South, I have always heard and said “slew”, but on hearing you speak, I wondered if your pronunciation was how most other people pronounced it. Anyway, this is one of my favorite weird tales of all, having so much of the description being something I am familiar with and can see very clearly as I hear the words. I love the English tales as well, but when they talk about heather and gorse and such things, I can’t form much of a mental picture. Thanks for doing this one, and you did an excellent job.
If I recorded it again I'd just say "slew" and be done with it 😄
I spend time kayaking flatwater lakes and tributaries in the southeastern US. Whenever I ask directions on waterways (or hire a local guide) the word "slough" is pronounced as 'slew'. Keep in mind that the deep South of the US has many, many English dialects. It's anything but uniform in that respect.
Just a curiosity for you. Cobb had obviously been to Reelfoot. It is indeed as he describes it. And was formed just as he relates, from the slippage of the New Madrid Fault.
Wow, the kayaking sounds wonderful!
I did a whole take saying "slew" but then I checked Webster's and it said British English pronunciation is always "slau" (like the town) even for this North American use of the word. Since I decided to spare y'all my attempt at an accent I reverted to slau/Slough.
It's such a vivid piece of scene-setting by the author and the history of the place (with which I was not familiar) is fascinating.
It's definitely "slew". I got a little twitchy each time I heard "slau". 😁
@TheWanderingFinnegan In American it is "slew" but as I was using my English accent I deferred to the Merriam Webster dictionary that told me British English speakers tend to use "slough/slau" for ALL meanings of the word including this one.
If the dictionary is wrong I'm a bit lost I'm afraid.
From the dictionary:
SLOUGH - swamp, backwater (sense 1)
In the US (except New England) for those for whom sense 1 is familiar: slu
British (usually for both senses): slau
I take this stuff seriously and anticipated the slu/slau question.
@EnCryptedHorror I figured you'd done research. I just sent the bit of local dialect as a curious bit of info. I speak a dialect of English called south Georgia low country that drives people outside my region absolutely bats when they hear me talk. I didn't mean to mention the southern US pronunciation out of any kind of criticism, but only as an interesting kernel.
You are my favorite narrator.
Fabulously creepy Jasper, thank you!!
You're so welcome 😊
I'm going to have to listen again. Got distracted by the pronunciation of crappie and went down a rabbit hole researching it and missed the story. lol...
I've always pronounced it like "croppy," but apparently there's a real debate out there - even among fishermen. One guy said he had to switch to "croppy" because "crappy" made his kids giggle.
How funny 😆 We've always pronounced it crappy. Never heard it pronounced otherwise.
@@rebeccawoolfolk5377 Gosh, never occurred to me that crappie had a different pronunciation. I went down my own rabbit hole with "slough" ("sloo" in American apparently for this meaning, "slau" to rhyme with "ow" in British English) but I ended up recording "sloo", "slau" and "sloff" for safety while I verified...🙄
I had a feeling all day Fish Head was coming Jasper. And behold there it wasFantabulous you are.
❤
Thank you kindly 🙏
Excellent!
Thank you 👍
A very good tale! Made better by your excellent telling.
Thank you kindly 🙏
well done!
@@thisisdavid2 Thank you 😊
What a fantastic rendition of a great story. The sound effects and narration were beyond excellent 👏 👌 ❤
For those interested in American Indian history the great Shawnee chief/warrior/prophet Tecumseh predicted the 1811 Earthquake some years before it happened and spent that time building the Red Stick Confederacy of eastern Tribes to oppose the Americans with British aid during the War of 1812. The New Madrid quake was the great sign he promised. True story.
Yes, it's an amazing story, one I didn't know about until researching "Fish Head".
I'm trying to say "wow, that's interesting" without sounding sarcastic, but it really is interesting. I love all these historic bits and pieces. It really adds weight to the story
@@petere5826 Yes. When the Cherokee refused his coalition to fight the Europeans, he told them that he would return home and that the stamp of his foot would shake the land.
Shawnee and Cherokee never got along were always fighting over the Kan-tuck-ee hunting grounds. Never lived there though for fear of the “spirits” that dwelt there…
That whole area from the Mississippi thru Reelfoot to the Land Between the Lakes area is steeped in haunted lore , cryptids, Indian curses, witches etcetc. Want to travel down the rabbit hole? Simply google “ The Beast of LBL” I’m still stuck in that rabbit hole…
Just started.
I am sure it will be good!
Yup...it was another great one! Fantastic story!
Thank you! Glad you liked it 👌
What a gruesomely poetic tale! Really enjoyed it! Two excellent stories in a week. You have my absolute gratitude! Thank you so very much!!!!❤️🐙
Glad you liked it! Thanks for always listening and commenting 👍
I can’t help myself. You’re just the best! Just had to share again that I really appreciate this author’s descriptive style and your skill of storytelling does it great justice. Another excellent choice! Many thanks!…..came back to listen to it again ☺️
Absolutely terrifying & brilliant Jasper what a creepy & disturbing tale. It did remind me of Lovecraft which I ❤Thank You❣️
Glad you enjoyed 👌
Fantastic as ever. Thank you!
You're very welcome 👍
Awwww, sweet Jesus, your narration is like drinking Guinness wearing a velvet dress in a Thorntons factory.
(Yeah, that’s a good thing)
The best on UA-cam. Really appreciate the work you put into your craft- for that’s what it is- a craft. Especially so, after suffering so many AI story tellers lately, that don’t seem to bother with punctuation or nuance.
Damn machines. Going to become a Neo-Luddite
@@alisonaustin7299 Drinking Guinness wearing a velvet dress in a Thorntons factory sounds like a terrific night out 😄. The trouble with the AI thing is that at the moment it's sort of passable enough to fool you for a couple of seconds at most, and the channels that use it are very rarely upfront about it.
Loved it! Thank you Jasper!
I'm glad! Thanks for listening 👍
An incredible story, and so immersive. Plenty of those wait! wait! what's going to happen! moments. And the sound effects were perfect, especially Fish Head's long, mournful howl. Interested to know what you put in the search bar to find that one.
Thank you Jasper. ❤
@@thehangingparsiple5692 I was worried that I might have to record the howl myself...😬...Luckily I found something that sort of felt close to what I had in mind.
@@EnCryptedHorror
Jasper: ooooOOOOOoooooo!
Wife: *dialling 999*
I love the sounds in the background (crickets, etc.), really gives the story depth and reality. You do these so well!
Thank you kindly 🙏
This one was all about the atmosphere for me and you really nailed it.
Fab sound.
😉
Great! Glad you enjoyed it 👍
Very good, and I felt for Fish Head, and nemesis for his killers imo
Thanks for story and narration!
You're so welcome 👍
Good Story! ❤❤🎉🎉
Glad you thought so!
I was just searching for you!
And here I am 😁
Excellent!
Thaks Jasper lm so sick and this really helps,and lve finally found someone who pronounces "Crappie" correctly😂.Also we had legendary Catfish back in Lake Murray in my youth
I didn't know that people also pronounce it "croppy" or even "croppay"...🤔
Loved the crunch
Your "I hope you enjoyed it" manages to be sincere, and yet, satisfied that we are hovering above a toilet seat at the same time.🙈🙉🙊
❤❤❤❤Love your work!
So glad!
Fantastic
@@neilgodfrey6578 Thanks Neil 👌
I am sad FishHead got kilt. 😢
Me too. Gone to a batter plaice 🙏
Cornbread ... fried, baked, hot water type, hush puppies, deep fried ... it's all good🌽🍞
😋🍽
Joel's nails left in the tree sure put me off fish fingers though...
20:56 ~ "...a cottonmouth moccasin snake, so fat and swollen with summer poison, it looked almost like a legless lizard..."
Do tell. 😆
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🙏
👍
When in doubt, forget the dictionary
I don't have a choice, I'm afraid. I take this pretty seriously, you know. And I recorded multiple takes with the "slew" pronunciation before the dictionary convinced me otherwise. Had I taken the decision to read in a Deep South American accent I would have used "slew", but it didn't seem right to use it when speaking with my own accent because we don't really use the word in the UK, but the dictionary advised that British English speakers (and New Englanders) use "slau".
Was the monster fish Fish Head’s mother?
Well, it makes you wonder...
Come to the south we'll teach you how to say those words
Ooh smashing, I'd love to visit ✈️
Not to be nitpicky ( which means I AM picking nits), "slough" is pronounced "sloo".
See my comments elsewhere about Webster's dictionary.
Riveting
Good story, but every time you say 'slow', rhyming with 'how', I cringe. Folk there say 'slew', rhyming with 'flew'.
But I'm not a folk there. I'm aware of the "slew" pronunciation but referred to Merriam Webster dictionary for the British English pronunciation.