“When the Bull-Heads Bite.”
By Francis H. Buzzacott
Francis Buzzacott, aka “The Colonel,” was a well-known explorer, outdoorsman and author in the early 20th century. His many accomplishments included serving as a member of the British South African Expedition, 1878-9; the Antarctic Expedition, 1879-81; Voyage to the Arctic, 1881-4; the Spanish-American War Campaign, 1898; and the Wellman-Polar Expedition in 1906.
In 1903, he published his first book—”The Complete Fisherman and Anglers Manual, or How to Catch Fish”—an encyclopedic reference book that stands the test of time even today, more than 120 years later. Beautifully packaged with illustrations and photos throughout its original 136 pages, it provided advice and instruction on every aspect of fishing. Also included was a chapter of poems called Piscatorial Selections where one could enjoy “When the Bull-Heads Bite,” an ode to angling for some of the smaller types of catfish that were much sought after then and now, especially by youngsters just learning how to fish.
Been thinkin’, last few days,
Of the times of long ago,
When we youngsters went a-fishin’,
And it makes me feel as though
I would like to try once more,
With a bent pin for a hook,
Just to catch a mess of bull heads,
In some good old-fashioned brook.
In a pool ‘neath shadowy elms,
Where the water is at ease,
And the mud is deep as blazes,
All along a row of trees;
I would bait the hook with worms,
Just as day was turnin’ night,
And I’ll bet in half a minute,
I would have a bull-head bite.
Bobber floatin’ on the water,
Quickly starts and sinks from view,
And the willow pole is bendin’,
Got a bull-head—pounder too;
Swallowed book, and bait and all,
Never left a bit of worm, Golly! ain’t it fun a-fishin’
When the bull-heads bite and squirm.
