Calabogie Lake Poem by Frank Halliwell

So you reckon you've seen black bass?
...There was one gave me the shakes
At a lake just south of Renfrew,
And just north of Rideau Lakes..

We'd been fishin' all the morning,
And could barely stay afloat!
We just rattled the bait bucket
And the fish jumped in the boat!

We were tired, sore and hungry
and were headin' in for lunch,
When Old Fred up an decided
Just to play a little hunch!

There's a small bay over yonder
Near that little stand of pine
And I saw one there last summer
That sent shivers up my spine!

How about we just meander
Over there and have a look?
You or Jack can run the motor
I'll tie on a bigger hook.

So we flailed around the bay a bit
And didn't get a bite..
And the afternoon went quickly:
It was gettin' on for night!

We were pullin' up the anchor,
And were callin' it a day...
When that silver thing got swallowed
By the monster of the bay!

The chain sang like a fiddle
As the anchor line came taut..
And we took off like a rocket
From that one-time tranquil spot!

He towed us up and down the lake
At speeds that were no joke..
Till that old chain threw in the towel..
And finally it broke!

I can tell you don't believe me!
You're a doubter through and through!
I'm a fisherman! And, honest friend...
I'd never lie to you!

But I'll be back up next year
And I'll prove that I'm no fake..
When I catch that big-mouth monster
Out in Calabogie Lake!