Gungywamp Fishin’

The weary city angler gits a chance once ev’ry year

To take his natty sportin’ duds, an’ patunt fishin’ gear

Down to the lakes or swell resorts where gamy fish abound,

But we set here in Gungywamp an’ fish the year ‘round.

This goin’ fishin’ once a year jest wouldn’t do fur me,

‘Twould on’y aggravate my soul, ez fur ez I kin see;

Big trout an’ salmon they are nice to ketch, but I’ll be bound

I’d ruther set in Gungywamp an’ fish the year ‘round.

We hev the striped bass in spring, also the luscious shad;

The way the perch an’ dace take holt jest make a feller glad.

An’ pick’rel in the summer time, Ah, say! They bite like mad,

Big fellers, one to two foot long, an’ gamy ez a trout –

It takes a feller big an’ strong sometimes to pull ‘em out –

I’ll guarantee in farmer lakes no better sport is found,

Besides, a pickerel will bite the hull blamed year around.

An’ talk about your ketchin’ eels! They’re allus runnin’ thick;

They never wuz an eelin’ hole come up to Lizzard Crick.

We ketch ‘em on a hook an’ line, frum spring till fall appears,

We ketch ‘em on a bob so fast it almost brings the tears;

We spear ‘em all the winter time an’ git all we kin eat,

An’ ketchin’ bullheads anytime, waal, say, it can’t be beat.

So ef you will, out once a year where fancy fish abound,

I’d ruther stay in Gungywamp an’ fish the year ‘round.

Sept. 22, 1912