for craig

the water warmed
as new sky burned red
first hatch of the day
rain clouds overhead

fresh north breeze
bring caddis to flight
dropping to the water
a trout's delight

life is a struggle
in this freestone stream
a trout has no options
a trout has no dream

our fisherman though
he has a dream
of mighty fish
of trout that gleam

that every cast
will lay just right
that today the trout
are on the bite

that by end of day
his creel is filled
with bright fat trout
and beer that's chilled

but today the trout
will swim in peace
no fisherman stalks
the nearby beach

his fly rod perched
against the wall
his waders lying
in the hall

our fisherman
has fished his last
having thrown
his final cast