Caught Catching Steelheads - Part 1 of 2
We spent Christmas in Camas, Washington
With Aunt Lil and Uncle Carl on this run
Carl owned the town’s only sporting goods store
He knew local fishing; where to catch more
Carl said, “Steelhead fishing is very hot”
“I can rig you up; you might catch a lot”
A Steelhead punch card cost so much to buy
I said to Carl, “I think I’ll pass it by”
Carl said, Steelhead are ocean going trout
It’s Rainbow specie with lots of clout
They’re born in the river; then go to sea
Return back home grown; they spawn and then flee
A long island lies in the Washougal
Using a life raft to get there was frugal
Its eighty rods before the rivers meet
Paddling a boat there was no small feat
With boat secure, Carl and son went fishing
I only watched, from where I was sitting
Saw action on shore; a guy had one on
Which he played for a while, then it was gone
I saw Carl when he hook one of good size
The way he played the fish, was quite wise
I felt the old fish bumps starting to rise
When the fish broke water, I was surprised
Those fish are big and their fight would be fun
I knew right away, I’d have to catch one
Carl landed his fish, it weighed seven pounds
Got out his punch card and punched out one round
I said, “I’ll fish if your offer’s still good”
“We can rig you up; I knew that you would”
“But you need a license before you fish”
“I’ll open the store, if that’s what you wish”
“Nope, I think I’ll just fish without any”
Carl said, “Not wise, that could cost you plenty”
“Carl, it expires by the end of the week”
“Get a four day one; that works for you neat”
Next day I was on the island early
Fishing hard but my bait acted squirrelly
Had to add some weight, so it would hit ground
Then threw it up stream and let it drift down
“Oh My Gosh!, I’m snagged!” I said with a frown
I bet I hooked to a log on the ground
I was wrong cause that log started moving
Yelled, “Fish on!,” my attitude improving
That fish was stripping the line from my reel
He could turn sideways and rest standing still
He used the current to his advantage
When he made a run, I couldn’t manage
Carl walked over to check on the action
“Carl, he’s too big to get any traction”
“And there isn’t much line left on the reel”
“If he was up current it'd be ideal”
(Part 1 of 2)
Copyright © Charles Sides | Year Posted 2011
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