November 13th, 2000
The Salmon Leap
by Francis H. Buzzacott (1913)
"And when the Salmon seeks a fresher stream to find,
With hither from the sea comes yearly of his kind;
As he tow’rds season grows, and stems the watery tract
When Tivy falling down, make an high cataract,
Forc’d by the rising rocks that there her course oppose,
As tho’ within her bounds they meant her to inclose;
Here, when the laboring fish does at the foot arrive,
And finds that by his strength he does but vainly strive;
His tail takes in his mouth, and bending like a bow
That’s to full compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw,
Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand,
That bended end to end, and started from man’s hand,
Far off itself doth cast; so does the Salmon vault
And if at first he fail, he second somersault
He instantly essays, and from his nimble ring,
Still yerking, never leaves until himself he fling
Above the opposing stream. ~ Francis H. Buzzacott
Credit: Excerpt from The Complete Sportsman’s Encylopedia
Published by The Lyons Press.
Originally published October 27, 2002 on Fly Anglers Online by Francis H. Buzzacott.