WE 2019- Ice Fishing

The Fishing Trip

On the slippery ice claws tapped. A group of Evoloons could be heard walking over the ice river. They were on the hunt for some food. The two larger Evoloons lead the way to a spot they knew they could find some fish even in this freezing times. One of the larger loons was Leo, he knew the perfect spot to do some fishing. Faolan, the other larger loon, on the end was making sure the two smaller loons were safe as they traveled. The two smaller loons were Elias and Pumpkin. They asked to be thought how to fish since they were old enough and need another source of food in the winter time.

“Ah! Here we are!” said Leo as they stopped by the shore of the large river that crossed their land.

“This delta slits the river in smaller ones. And has some small waterfalls that break the ice.” Faolan explained.

“Yeah look down there... There are some fish swimming!” Leo added.

The two smaller loons looked down with excitement. Fish swam beneath the ice and surface by the waterfall. The group of loon walked down and sat by the edge of the ice.

“Now watch carefully kids! See how a master fisherman does it.” exclaimed cockily Leo as he stepped closer to the water's edge. Faolan roll his eyes at his brother’s over confidence while Leo position himself. He lowered his body, watch the fish swim by and calculated when to pounce. Just when a big fish was on sight Leo’s paw slipped. The little loons watch in surprise as Leo fell into the ice water, Faolan just sighed in disappointment and roll his eyes. Leo splashed around until he climbed out off the ice water. He stood between the little loons and his brother. Leo was shaking because of the freezing cold water, gasping for air, with a desperate look on his face. Faolan couldn’t help but chuckle. When the little ones hear him chuckle they broke into laughter. Leo looked at them quite offended.

“Nice job master fisherman. The kids learn sooo much from your amazing skills.” Said Faolan mocking his brother.

While gasping for air Leo replied “I-I slipped, Th-there was a wet spot w-where my paws were from the uh.. the fish splashing!”

“Yeah yeah, whatever you say…” Faolan said as he walked away. Now at the edge of the water he addressed the little loons. “Alright let me teach y’all how to fish without falling in like my brother.

Elias and Pumpkin chuckled and walked towards the brown loon. They watched the fish swim up and down the stream and beneath the ice. They wondered how could they even get they’re fangs in them.

“Okay first you have to watch the fish carefully. How they swim, were they move, and most importantly if they are eating. Fish eat small insects and small plant life that grow in the water. When they are focused on catching food we have to take the opportunity to catch them…” explained Faolan while Leo was in the background shaking off the water. The loons looked in curiosity at Faolan as they weren’t sure what he meant.

“Alright let me show you two how to do it. Then y’all can give it a try…” Faolan lower his body in a hunting position. “You see, the fish swim to this side, by the edge of the ice, where there is a bit of food for them. I’ll keep my eye on one of them and wait ‘til it swims to this edge to eat. Then…” he paused for a second as a fish swam close. Until it was close enough and he pounced into the water saying “...JUMP!”

Because of his splashing the little ones jumped back. Leo heard the water splashing and walked towards them. Faolan came out of the water with a fish in his mouth.

“Nice you caught one. Not a big one tho.” Leo mock his brother trying to light their competitive spirit. “Come on! I can do better than that small thing!”

Faolan glare at him while climbing back into the ice. He put down the fish while Elias and Pumpkin surrounded him excitedly. They were eager to catch a fish of their own.

“Brother don’t start with me know. We aren’t competing again… we are teaching the little ones to how to catch fish…” Faolan scoffed at his brother.

“Alright, alright, I’ll catch something bigger next time. Come on kids! Let’s catch some dinner!” Leo exclaimed.

Elias and Pumpkin jumped to the side of Leo as he walked to the edge of the ice. There he lowered his body into the hunting position and the little ones follow his lead and position themselves. They watched as the fish swam by and waited for them to get close to the edge. First it was Leo who pounced and catch quite a big fish. The other two yelped excitedly as he walked out proudly with the fish in his mouth. While he walked towards Faolan to show him the big catch, Elias jumped into the water. Clumsy he managed to get his fangs into a fish and splashed around for a bit until it was dead. He shook his head a few times to make sure it was dead and wouldn’t escaped his jaw. Pumpkin yelped at him even more excited and could barely stay put in the same place. Now she was determined to catch a fish of her own.

Pumpkin tried a couple of times to catch a fish, but every time she was too eager and missed to get her fangs into them. She sat down in the water and looked at the fish discouraged.

Faolan walked towards her and said “It’s alright, you’ll catch one soon. You just have to… be a bit more patient.” He gestured at her with his head to get back on the ice. With her ears pinned down she followed him. “Look, you have to wait for the right time… Right around… Here!” He pointed with his paw at the water. “Here the fish are close enough for you to pounce and too far for them to get away.” Pumpkin looked up at him with worried eyes. “Come on, I know you can do it.” Faolan tried to encourage her.

Pumpkin looked down at the water and decided to give it one more shot. She waited for the right time, but the fish kept swimming away making her eager again. Still she managed to take a deep breath and calm down.

Then Faolan said “Look at that one. It’s coming close.” Pumpkin saw it and locked eyes on it. Until it was finally close enough and she jumped! She slipped once her paws hit the bottom of the river. The others heard the splashing and rushed over to see. There Pumpkin laid on the water with a fish in her mouth. It was rather small, but still a good size for her. Leo and Elias cheer for her. Pumpkin jumped to her paws and walked up to the ice so happily.

“See? Told ya you could do it!” Faolan exclaimed. “Alright now that we all have our fish let’s head home. You two can show the pack the great catch y’all caught!”

Each of them grabbed their fish and joyfully started walking back to their pack.