Let's Go Skinny-dipping

When Solveiga was younger and her brother was still with her, the two of them had hunted together all the time. It was almost a game for them, dependent on both strategy and physical skill. Solveiga was very small, and could not therefore be expected to take down an elk or anything like that. But her quickness made her nearly an expert at catching mice, rabbits, and fish. And today she was going to catch some fish. She had left the boundaries of Celestial a couple of days ago, originally seeking to collect some herbs for Kavdaya. But today she had stumbled upon a wide, yet briskly moving river in the south of the continent. Immediately a feeling of excitement churned in her belly, and she set down the big, waxy leaf she had been using to carry the herbs she had collected. Seeing a river like this brought back memories of fishing with her brother, and she really wanted to try her hand at it again. But not here, she decided. The river was too wide and probably too deep in this location. So the woman bent to pick up her waxy leaf bundle and from there she followed the path of the river.

About an hour later she found a section of the river that was more narrow, thanks to some large rocks embedded in the bank which redirected the current and sped it up considerably. The water seemed to dimple in some places, tumbling over hidden rocks stuck in the bed. These, she recalled, were good conditions for trout. And upstream a bit, in the direction from which she had come, there had been a bend in the river. River bends meant hollows in the water, where she also knew catfish might be present. Solveiga set her bundle of herbs down for good this time, at least until this little fishing trip was over. She would try here first, where the water was fast and cold. She might be lucky — and quick — enough to catch a trout or two. And if not, she could go back upstream and see if the catfish were where she believed they would be.

However, she was not alone. Great minds thought alike, she supposed, because wading in the water nearby was another wolf, with dark fur and piercing blue eyes that scanned the water. She hoped he wouldn't be too much competition, but with her easy going nature she wasn't about to let it upset her either way. This would be fun, and if she caught a fish, good. If she didn't, she might have better luck finding a mouse or a rabbit somewhere.

The sand colored woman licked her lips and turned her attention to the water. She stayed as alert as possible, trying to see past the movement of the current to any fish that may be underneath. She waded in slowly, taking easy and cautious steps to ensure that she did not frighten away any potential prey. Yes, this would be fun. Already the adrenaline of the hunt was beginning to course through her veins.

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NOTES: For the locations of the two species (rainbow trout and catfish) I relied on personal knowledge. I do some fishing myself and know that both trout and catfish can be found in freshwater rivers and streams. Trout is, of course, more common in bodies of water with rapids and small waterfalls, which is why they often jump during migration. The two can be found in the same river, but the catfish will prefer bends, river holes, and generally stiller waters like I mentioned above. Click here for a link that verifies my knowledge on catfish. I guess being a country girl comes in handy here!