Visual Description: Deep water doings.
TRAYRE = ARTERY, MULTEB = TUMBLE, HANEVE = HEAVEN, SEPUUR = PURSUE, MDYIAS = DISMAY, RICAGL = GARLIC — Giving us: AEUEEENURSDSGAL
Clue/Question: When the crustaceans started playing sports on the ocean floor, they had – – –
Pre-Answer: Four Words (7-letters) (5-letters) THE (3-letters)
Answer: LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
(This one was a toughie all-around! None of the clue words are new, but all of the jumbles appear to be so. And, some of them were pretty challenging. The only ones I saw immediately were “tumble”, “heaven”, and “garlic”. I love garlic! Once again I played around with the possibility of “rarety” before coming up with “artery”. And again, I tried to to make “puruse” before I saw “pursue”. The jumble for “dismay” gave me a little pause too, but not like the others. The answer letter layout was diabolical! A truly masterful jumble. Great job, Hoyt! With the benefit of the free THE in the answer line I was able to fairly quickly surmise UNDER THE SEA. But, it took me quite a while to make anything out of EEUSGAL. Today’s answer really wasn’t any kind of idiom. It was just a pun on sports leagues, so I think that’s one of the reasons it took me so long. The cartoon is classic Knurek! Great sea critters, and even a submarine passing by in the background. For some reason, the little face next to the Pacific Division sign reminded me of the animated character Fred, from Channel 1, on the old “Captain Kangaroo” show. I loved that show as a kid! Looking Fred up, he really looks nothing like that, but I did find some nice memorial cartoons that some cartoonists did upon Bob Keeshan’s passing. Instead of pics and drawings of sea creatures I’m giving you the Bob Keeshan cartoons, because the show meant so much to me. David and Jeff did an outstanding job today though! Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
Cartoon images courtesy of Google
Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
UR, I too LOVED Captain Kangaroo! The show was one of my all-time favorites from childhood, one of the best ever for kids…Loved your nod to Fred! To the Jumble: I also tried to make’ puruse’ work before ‘pursue’. ‘Artery’ and ‘dismay’ hounded me for several moments as well. I got ‘sea’ fairly quickly, but my brain kept going to ‘chicken of the sea’, which obviously wasn’t even remotely logical!
Now you’ve done it, jenn! Now I’ve got to make myself a tuna sandwich! — YUR 🙂
Chicken of the Sea just made the most sense Jenn!!! Couldn’t think for having it in my head. Pursue took some time. As did the answer. So glad I hung in there. The puzzle was really great!
So, am now behind (today is Feb 1). The flu grabbed me, but hopefully not too tightly. Also, the antibiotics from a sinus infection have made me rather “ill” !! The husb is keeping his distance and is being a good nurse. When I’m a bit more together I’ll start working on my jumbles!!
Take care out there!!! LL
Feel better soon, LindaLee! Chicken soup, OJ, ginger ale and water. — YUR
Hope you’re feeling much better, LindaLee!