The Salmon Poacher's Vow

one fine spring highland day
young Angus, days away from pay
had an overpowering wish
for a fine pair of fresh-caught fish

thus it was that on the cusp
of gentle Scottish highland dusk
young Angus drove his battered van
over hill and down deep glen

to a place he knew of old
where a river pool would hold
the salmon that he did require
to fill his hungry heart’s desire

now Angus never had a feel
for fishing pole or rod and reel,
nor had he ever had the patience
to wait for scaley fickle fishes.

so when he reached the river’s edge
instead of using reel and rod
young Angus took his landing net
and waded in to catch his heart's content

back and forth the net went swish
until young Angus caught a fish
and a scant few minutes later
a second salmon lay beside the other.

now Angus was a smart young crook
both of those poached fish he took
and pierced their mouths to make it look
as if he’d caught them by the book

on his way home, as Angus topped the hill,
sure enough there was the local constable
waiting for him by the roadside
and to him young Angus cried:-

“here’s my license to catch
fish, and look -
I took this brace
of salmon with a line and hook!”

the constable looked once,
then twice then looked again
and with a wide and knowing grin
to young Angus turned and said:-

"That's a fine rare pair
of salmon by God,
but tell me lad,
where's your reel and fishing rod?”

much later in the village jail
young Angus swore to never fail
to bring with him his rod and reel
the next time that he had the wish
to go and poach some fine fresh fish.