“THE GENTLE CRAFT"

Evening Star, Issue 24102, 24 January 1942, Page 3

“THE GENTLE CRAFT"

Some anglers may enthuse about The Salmon and the Rainbow Trout, Exploring/lakes and stony brooks With Ersatz insects tied to hooks; But—goodness me! one has to pay For angling in that stylish way; Expending monstrous sums on reels, Rods, licenses, and lines and creels. One has to learn the subtleties Of bullies, minnows, worms, and Hies, Oi' playing fish (and, by the way, Do fishes call the business " play "?) Of making an approximate And truthful-sounding estimate In terms of pounds and ounces (net) About that fish' which "did a get." Some fellows find a spot of fun In swordfish weighing half a ton. It's well enough for those who care For squatting, shackled to a chair. They may esteem it thrilling sport, But can they eat the fish they've caught? ""'" •'■." "'' The flesh of these enormous brutes Ts tougher than a ploughman's boots. Well—l'm on my vacation here, With legs a-dangle from the ,pier. Tied round a bollard, all complete With hooks and scraps of pipi meat. My line is waiting to ensnare Such herrings as may happen there. Red cod or dog-fish—anything That fastens on my length pf string. I do not flounder round the creeks With waders, over-socks, and breeks, Or tear across the Northern seas To catch marine monstrosities. Fishing is gentle sport, not work; And so I wait until a jerk Proclaims the presence on my line . Of one whose Avits are less than mine. What have I caught to-day? Well, look At trophies of my line and hook. Three herrings—one a trifle small— Two dog-fish and a cod l —that's all. But, when you come to think of it, I might have bought a fishing kit,_ Spent pounds and pounds in travelling, And never caught a single thing! ■ ■■■■■ ■»> h ■> n «_■■_■ *_»»_■_