The Wild Brownie

T’was the fish of a lifetime,
I’m happy to say.
It took a gold spinner,
That I cast it’s way.
“Another good Pike” I thought at the time.
As it twisted and turned, and tore of more line,
Then it leapt from the water,
A good foot in the air,
And at once I could see
“Than was no Pike!” out there.
Then doubt started up, “What if the line broke?”
Would I be believed? Would they think it a joke?
Would it throw out the hook?
With its head wildly shaking,
As again it leapt high,
While I stood there quaking.
Then, there were the rocks.
Where I’d lost fish before.
And massive big tree roots.
That big fish headed for!
But I need not have worried ,
Hardy rod kept it clear.
And into the side, through the weed I did steer.
Once, on the bank, I could see its full size,
A ‘personal best’ was in front of my eyes.
I took photo’s and weighed it,
This eleven pound Trout,
Then took it round to my neighbours
But, all of them out.
Nor Harry, or Jock, or Max could be found.
So, with it, in my car. I just drove around.
Then to Johnny Niblet, at railway station I went,
Who was there with a friend, and both gave their consent
To witness and weigh it take more photo’s too
“Was the biggest caught local” as far as they knew!
Now the fish of a life-time
Is carved out of wood,
And painted and mounted, it really looks good.
I’ll not catch another one life, I’m sure
But the memory will stay with me, evermore!
David Willis