Happy Christmas to All.....enjoy !
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T’was the night before Christmas and all through the river,
Not a creature was stirring, no mayflys to quiver.
The fish were all nestled all snug in a hole,
I could see them all swimming and went back for my pole.
The lots were all empty with no drift boats in sight,
So I decided to try for that big Rainbow fight.
When out in the stream there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the truck to see what was the matter.
Away to the bank I flew like a flash,
Tripped on the way and my waders were gashed.
The moon on the crest of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes to appear,
But a miniature sleigh full of G.Loomis gear.
With a small little 5wt. so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it was a nice stick.
The fat little man all dressed up in red,
Threw me the rod and jumped back in his sled.
Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen,
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.
To the top of the boat ramp, to the top of the hill,
They flew away fast and left me a chill.
And then, in a twinkling I heard in the brook,
I grabbed my new rod and went for a look.
I heard a big splash and soon turned around,
And saw a big splash from the biggest of Browns.
He was big and fat and was spotted in color,
And I knew he’s the one I wanted, just him not another.
So I tied on a streamer I had tied up for fun,
And made a nice cast just up from the run.
I had no luck on my first cast of three,
And then on my back cast I caught a nice tree.
I tugged and I tugged but my fly wouldn’t budge,
So I gave a quick jerk and stood there and grudged.
Then I saw him appear, the same man as before,
Standing all dressed neatly right there on the shore.
His eyes how the sparkled, his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
The stump of a rod I could see in his hand,
I watched as he walked in and his casting began.
His back cast was perfect and his loops all were tight,
And he hooked that big Brown and was in for a fight.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly elf,
I just wish I was that good to have caught it myself.
A wink in his eye and a twist of his head,
With my line in the tree I wished I was dead.
He spoke not a word but went straight for his net,
A pulled up that Brown with nothing to fret.
He was smiling and happy and all full of peace,
Then he did what I expected, he practiced catch & release.
He got out of the water and threw off his gear,
And I could hear him wander off all full of great cheer.
When he walked up the bank he turned with a jerk,
And said that he needed to finish his work.
His eyes how they sparkled and looked like a gem,
I’m glad I got to see him fishing the PM.
He walked to the sleigh which wasn’t that far,
And saw a ticket on it from the ole’ DNR.
He never filled out his daily parking pass,
For he was in a great hurry to make that first cast.
So now he was flustered but realized his wrong,
He wrote out the check and soon he’d be gone.
With an elf with an envelope and a newly liked stamp,
It was off to the post office before it got damp.
Then I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.
