Ode to the Open Faced Reel
By: Lynne Frady
Open Faced Reel
With your great design
In the sun
How you sparkle and shine!
You sit on my rod
Awaiting your turn
To let loose your line
The Bass are concerned.
As I begin my day
With a cast and a flip
You’re ready and willing
Never a slip.
I see him there
At the break of the bank
I’m getting excited
And start to shake.
Oh, great Bass
With your scales how they glisten!
I drop in my bait
Then jerk it and listen.
I wait for your bite
This cast it won’t happen.
Reel it in, flip it back
You know who’s the Captain.
A couple more times
Each cast so sublime
I see you still there
Within reach each time.
One more cast
This one’s a keeper.
10 pounds at least
I hope he’s a leaper!
I draw back my rod
To make the delivery.
Something is wrong
What’s this devilry?
I look in my hand
A sight to behold
My open faced reel
Has seemed to explode!
A bird nest I see
In the palm of my hand.
What was I thinking
When I bought this brand?
The big bass now laughing
At this awful sight
The open faced reel
Has sealed my plight.
I hate this thing
Why did I bring it?
A true piece of junk
I think I will sling it!
Into the depths
Of this horrid lake
I hope it rots
For goodness sake!!
My Zebco Spin cast
Sits home on the shelf
Why did I leave it
I’m cussing myself?
It has never failed me
In my time of need
Never a bird nest
Has it made.
I guess I’ll learn better
One of these days
To bring good equipment
And mend my ways.
As the sun is setting
On this wasted day
I’ve learned my lesson
In so many ways.
The big Bass a memory
My time here is through
I really hate fishing
Yes, sir I do!
Wait till next weekend
I’ll show them all
No fishing for me
I’ll be at the Mall.
What am I thinking
I must have gone mad?
I hate to shop
Call the Doctor, this is bad!
The Doctor he told me
It will be ok
You need to relax
Some time to play.
He made a suggestion
For true therapy
Take up fishing
It’s the place to be.
I have rig
I’ll let you borrow
It has an opened faced reel
Take off tomorrow!
As I sat in the office
With the bill in hand
I guess he was right
The water is grand
So here I am
On the bow of the boat
Casting and flipping
My bait afloat.
This borrowed rig
It works like a charm
I must have been crazy
To think there was harm.
I can’t believe my eyes
The big boy is back
One more cast
He’ll be in the sack.
The rod is drawn back
A flip I will give it
No Way! Not Again!
&%#@$% Dad nab it!
This can’t be happening
This is really a joke
A bird nest in hand
Let’s give it a soak!
To the bottom it goes
Of this cussed lake
Bass fishing is grief
This was a mistake.
I know what I’ll do
What was I thinking?
I’ll take up the sport
Of simple Fly-fishing.
What could go wrong?
Fly-fishing is easy.
Everyone does it
That’s what will please me.
As I stand on the boat
For the very last time
I crank the motor
Headed for the shore line.
Fly-fishing, that’s it
What I’ve needed all along!
In the bend of a river
With the birds singing a song.
I just can’t wait
For that very first time.
I draw back my rod
And forward cast that line!
