Volume 103 — THE LAY OF A SUCCESSFUL ANGLER.

The dainty artificial fly Designed to catch the wily trout, Full loud laudabunt alii, And I will join, at times, no doubt, But yet my praise, without pretence, Is not from great experience. I talk as well as anyone About the different kinds of tackle, I praise the Gnat, the Olive Dun, Discuss the worth of wings and hackle; I've flies myself of each design, No book is better filled than mine. But when I reach the river's side Alone, for none of these I wish. No victim to a foolish pride. My object is to capture fish; Let me confess, then, since you ask it— A worm it is which fills my basket! O brown, unlovely, wriggling worm, On which with scorn the haughty look, It is thy fascinating squirm Which brings the fattest trout to book, From thee unable to refrain, Though flies are cast for him in vain! Deep gratitude to thee I feel, And then, perhaps, it's chiefly keen, When rival anglers view my creel, And straightway turn a jealous green; And, should they ask me—"What's your fly?" "A fancy pattern," I reply!