The ultimate holiday of the year is nearly upon us. Children are waiting with anticipation. My refrigerator is over capacity. Magic is in the air (mingled with a smidge of stress).

Yet even with all the enchantment of snow and reindeer and yuletide and whatnot, I’m unable give everyone a unique, personal present.

However, I have the next best thing: an angling-themed parody Christmas carol. I know – just what you’ve been wanting.

So gather with kith and kin around the old piano. Pour yourself a tall, frothy eggnog. Get the fire  crackling. Have Aunt Gertrude flex her ivory-tickling muscles and join together in song.

For today, I present to you…

The Twelve Trash Fish of Christmas

To be sung to the 1909 Frederic Austin melody

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me –

Twelve sheepshead drumming,

Eleven bowfin breathing,

Ten  gar a-leaping,

Nine  dace a-dancing,

Eight buf’lo sunning,

Seven  snakehead swimming,

Six fallfish rising,

Five  big catfish!

Four  pikeminnows,

Three  whitefish,

Two  common carp,

And a sucker in a spring creek.

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From everyone (me) here at Casting Across, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

Want a more serious take on this very special holiday? Here is what I wrote last year.

Still procrastinating on buying that one gift for a fly fisher? I’ve got some options for you.

Can’t get enough of my lyrical styling? You’re welcome.