Bjones’s Fishing Trip

The trouting season’s over,

     Bjones has figured out

How much it really cost him

     To land a single trout.

The cost is interesting

     Which is submitted here;

Might be of use to anglers

     Who want to go next year.

Bjones o’erhauled his tackle,

     It cost him seven bones;

He grumbled at the figure

     In no uncertain tones.

His railroad fare was seven,

     Two-fifty for a team,

Which made it sixteen fifty

     Before he reached the stream.

The farmer charged a couple

     Before he could proceed;

Bjones then started fishing

     With energy and speed.

He punched his rubber waders

     Which quickly filled with wet;

And next he lost his balance,

     And in the brook upset.

The damage to his clothing

     and to his book was “eight”;

The damage to his feelings

     We cannot well relate.

At last he got a nibble,

     And hummed a happy song;

He hooked in a speckled beauty

     About eight inches long.

And then his trip was over,

     He sadly turned about;

It cost him thirty dollars

     To get that little trout.

Bjornes at club or office

     When needs are burning prime,

Says: “Fishing’s good as ever,

     I had a bully time!”

                                            June 28, ‘10