05/30/2026
Twas the night before Midcoast, when all through the coast�Not a fisherman was stirring, not even the most;
The boats were all hung in the slips with care,�In hopes that the flounder soon would be there;
The redfish were nestled all snug in their beds,�While visions of lures danced in their heads;�And mamma in her towel and I in my cap,�Had just settled down for an overdue nap,
When out on the boat dock there arose such a clatter,�I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.�Away to the window I flew like a flash,�Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the break of the gentle bay wave�Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects of the brave,�When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,�But a Mid-Coast boat Guide and all of his gear.
With a little old driver so lively and faulty,
I knew in a moment he must be Capt. Salty.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the boat
The rattle and hammer of each little float.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Past the boat dock with speed Capt. Salty came with a bound.
He was dressed in all gear, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with fish scales and mut;
A net full of fish he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
Now shrimp now crab now mullet and croaker
On gold spoon and plastic colored with ochre
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His poul little boat was anchor up ready to roam,
And the beard on his chin was as white as sea foam;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of bait jelly.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And cast all the poles; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, to the helm did he rose;
He sprang to his feet, to his first mate gave a whistle,
And started to reel like a determined missile.
But I heard him exclaim, as he reeled with glee,
“Good luck to all the teams, you better be in line by 3!”
