A Visit from St. Fisholas'
(As seen in Angling Trade News and originally in Field & Stream)
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and we all felt a shiver,
not a creature was stirring… ‘specially not in the river.
The waders were hung in the garage with great care, though I
figured next spring, I’d still need a new pair.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while
visions of casting loops danced through their heads. Ma
asked me aloud if I’d let the dog out, as I snarfed down
some candy, and tied dry flies for trout.
When out on the porch I heard such a loud bump, it
startled me silly, and made my hands jump. I spat out a
peppermint, feeling angry and dumb, with a size 14 dry-fly
hook stuck through my thumb.
I thought, as I screwed the cap back on my glue, “This
better not be a lit bag of dog-poo!” When what to my
wondering eyes should appear, but three flats boats, four
guides, and six cases of beer!
“You found me! Thank goodness! You’re granting my wish!”
I said to the fat one… “you must be Saint Fish!” He smiled
at me softly; guides took off their hats, “Pack up the whole
family, we’re going down to the flats.”
He slid his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, and he
gave me a wink, which tingled my toes. “On Bonefish! On
Tarpon! On Redfish! On Jacks! Get your rods, and your
reels, and your flies, and waist packs!”
Then he raised up his arms, and made two magic skiffs fly,
so they cruised and they waited, way up in the sky. He let
out a laugh, which made his gut shimmy. I said, “Wait, one
more thing… I just gotta call Timmy.”
“You can bring him along, if he packs his stuff fast, He
can take pictures, hang out, maybe learn how to cast!” Now
sometimes, when you’re happy, you say things like a fool,
And I did, telling St. Fish, “Man, you’re totally cool.”
He was dressed for the tropics, from the cap on his head,
to the loose shirt, his baggy shorts, and flip-flops (all red).
He had a candy-cane push-pole that he used on his boat,
and his beard was all stringy, like a sun-baked old goat.
His eyes were quite squinty, and his skin looked like
leather, and he said, “Let’s get going, gotta stay ‘head of
weather.” So we climbed on the boat, I held everyone near,
And he fired up that outboard (he isn’t into reindeer).
Then we sped through the moonlight, and got Ellie and
Tim, yet for one little moment, my glad mood turned grim.
As we crested the clouds, and swooped up through the
fog, I wondered aloud, “Who will cover the blog?”
Now you know where I went; I just gave you the reason,
and St. Fish said he’d grant you good luck all next season.
But don’t worry if I spend a few days out of sight… From
Barry & Cathy… Merry Christmas, and to all a good night!
Merry Christmas to our friends – travelers, customers, manufacturers, editors, guides, fly tiers, blog subscribers, all of you who are connected in many ways to this sport. You make it possible for us to live the lives we choose to live and we know how blessed we are to be in a place where we can introduce people to the amazing sport of fly fishing through travel, photos, friendships, lessons, guiding, and writing.
We thank you and wish all of you a beautiful Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous 2024.
Cathy & Barry
& Team
(We'll be back next week with a “real” blog.)