April 12th, 1999
The Way It Was
by Ernie Harrison
To mountain glens I did ascend
and spoke to Indian gods there in.
I asked for powers of Indian lore
to catch the trout and nothing more.
The gods replied with kindness then
and granted me my fondest dream.
To understand the ways of trout
and how they live within a stream.
They showed me where the big fish lie
and how to use my artful fly.
And said I must respect their ways
and not deface this sacred place.
I’ve tried to keep it as it was
since first I saw this handsome land
But I can’t do this by myself
so please will you give me a hand?
~ Ernie Harrison
Originally published April 12th, 1999 on Fly Anglers Online by Ernie Harrison.