Ole Jake is what they called this trout;
A "lunker" of great size.
So many learned that he was stout
And some, that he was wise.

He was a legend in these parts,
The stories were well known.
He was the trout that used his smarts
To make the anglers moan.

Well, one fine day I thought I’d try
To catch Ole Jake again.
Along with me my grandson came
He thought that he would win.

Of course a grandpa catches more
But he knew not the rule.
He knew what line and hooks were for
We were in for a duel.

We fished that day, yes side by side,
My line was next to his.
And then my eyes were opened wide
His line began to whiz.

Well, blessed he’d been, Ole Jake the fish,
No one had been his match,
Until that day I got my wish,
Grandson had made that catch.

© James O'Brien
July 2002