Andy Capp by Reg Smythe for February 16, 2010

Go with the creek, because if you get caught that’s where you will be up, and without a paddle.

Salt Creek, Washington, Joe? That’s a childhood stomping-ground of mine!

Andy sure will be beer-battered, if you know what I mean, when he comes home without the fish. If you don’t know what I mean, I mean the alcoholic will be battered by Flo.

I have faith in Mr Capp to come home with a true fish tale. “Why Flo, I never saw a fish so big!” “I believe you.”

Wait just a minute! How can Andy be going to the pub without any money? Oh wait, the money Flo gave him for bait will work. Hmm… Worms must be expensive in the UK.

Flo maybe just happy he is gone for awhile evan when he comes back drunk as usual custom to have house to herself. It’s Andy who is foolin himself. Andy you can’t hide fact your drunk. He could go to a market and bring a fish home not. Too drunk to think.

Check Flo’s expression in the first panel. She knows where he’s going.

Out of character for Andy and disappointing; he always meets Flo head-on which is one of the charms of the strip.

When I lived in Arkansas there was a canoe rental business called Upschidt Creek. I suppose they also rented the paddles.

Tell her you went to lake mead… Then hit the fish market on the way home…

I have to give Flo some credit today. She knows, however, she probably has big plans of her own. Andy did her a favor by going not-fishing.

Poor Andy, he has to make up fish tales just to get out of the house once in a while. I wonder if at the pub there is a rack for all the fishing poles.

Now what does Flo have to do today? Usually she has to work but maybe not today and she’ll have a blissful day without Andy.

Maybe Andy should do the sublimely British thing and just pick up some fish and chips on the way home. (Finally got to try some of those last May, as made in London by one of the oldest pubs in the City.)