Fish rap (Dec. 23): ’Twas the night before Fish-mas

’Twas the night before Fish-mas and all through the state

Not a single young angler was staying up late.

The float tubes were stowed in the pickup with care,

With sandwiches, sodas, and jerky to spare.

The anglers slept soundly, all snug in their beds

While visions of wall-hangers danced in their heads.

Then up with the sun, the anglers did rise

With a hop in their steps and a gleam in their eyes.

Spring is sprung and Lake Lowell is waking;

A five-pound largemouth is there for the taking!

And then off to Brownlee to throw crappie jigs;

A fine fish fry awaits — man, that one’s a pig!

We’ll switch out our tackle as the hour grows late;

The catfish are biting on all kinds of bait.

’Twas a channel cat derby — we caught a half-dozen

Along with two flatheads, their much larger cousin.

Now on to the South Fork, the trout should be biting;

Those high-flying rainbows are experts at fighting.

And if high-water season puts your drift in a lurch,

Don’t despair — just head to Cascade for some perch!

Or, pick up your permit and de-barb your hooks,

And get ready to wrestle some spring-run chinooks.

Prime time for fishing the Owyhee is nigh;

There’s nothing like 20-inch trout on a fly!

As summer sets in, there’s no need to bake;

Instead, just retreat to a high-alpine lake.

You’ll catch lots of cutthroats, and brookies galore;

They’ll bite like they’ve never seen spinners before.

If kokanee salmon are the species you seek,

Go trolling in Deadwood or try Lucky Peak.

The bluegill at Halverson are well worth the hike,

And the panfish are plentiful throughout C.J. Strike.

When the late-summer days remain calm and warm,

The Snake River smallmouth are likely to swarm.

Throwing crayfish-type lures is truly a blast;

You’ll tangle with smallies on cast after cast.

Henry’s Lake hybrids are worth the drive east,

Or you might try to hook a prehistoric beast.

An Idaho sturgeon is the biggest prize of all;

Lots of them lurk near the dam at Swan Falls.

As temperatures fall and the leaves start to turn,

The kokanee begin their bright-red sojourn.

Fall fishing in Boise is great all through town,

You’ll hook lots of rainbows — and maybe a brown.

The bass bite is slowing, but no need to fret,

Trout fishing is dynamite on the Payette.

Or drive farther north to the Salmon in Riggins;

The steelhead are running — and there are some big ’uns!

When it’s too cold to brave the mid-winter chill,

Bundle up and ice fish — it’s truly a thrill.

You’ll jig for big trout and fat perch alike;

Head far enough north, and you might find some pike.

Then back to the ranch — it’s been quite a year;

You’ve caught lots of fish and sipped lots of beer.

It’s time to rest up and re-spool your reels.

So take off your waders and kick up your heels,

Curl up by the fire with some fish report rhymes.

Merry Christmas, dear readers.

Oh, and tight lines!

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 11:49 PM with the headline "Fish rap (Dec. 23): ’Twas the night before Fish-mas."