Fishing with Eagles (standard:non fiction, 865 words)
Author: M. David Meyer	Added: Nov 07 2003	Views/Reads: 3044/0	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
This is a true story about one lazy afternoon that I spent trout fishing in Alaska amid the presence of our national bird, the American Bald Eagle.

Nature never ceases to amaze me.  Today I was blessed with the most
majestic Alaskan experience.  While spending the remaining daylight 
hours of a balmy November afternoon fishing, I viewed 4 bald eagles 
flying directly overhead within 10 minutes of each other.  All of them 
dragging their own shadow's across the natural mirror of a calm Lower 
Trail Lake. 

I am sitting along the rocky beach on the south end of the lake.  My
fishing pole is neatly propped against the forked prop rod that I 
fashioned from a piece of driftwood and I have cast out fresh salmon 
roe on a single hook.  I am anxiously awaiting the first bite of the 
day from a hungry trout, when I hear the light flapping of wings for 
approximately 5 wing strokes.  I turn to face a mature bald eagle 
nearly 30 feet off the ground and now flying directly overhead and out 
across the lake.  I figure it is hunting and quite possibly flying a 
daily route.  I watch the majestic creature soar overtop of the lake 
and around the first mountain, disappearing into the valley behind. 

This eagle draws my attention much closer to the beautiful scenery that
surrounds me.  The sky is host to high gray clouds that look as they 
may begin to drop snow at any moment.  The mountain peaks are visible 
in most areas with a light dusting of snow in them.  The mountains and 
valleys are reflected perfectly in the lake, showing great detail of 
the contrast from rock, tree, to waterline.  Now I hear the distinct 
honking of swans and turn to see five of them fly overhead exactly 
where the eagle had. 

They fly, coast, honk and repeat, then land noisily onto the lake. 
After swimming about for a very short period, they all take off trying 
to run on the water.  Their webbed feet striking the cold surface of 
the water sounds to me like the chatter of great applause.  I think 
this is very nice of them, but I haven't caught any fish up to this 
point and a standing ovation is not warranted.  As they begin to fly 
away through the lake valley, I spot another eagle gently soaring 
overhead and to the left.  As I watch this one and gaze at the bright 
white coloring of its head and tail, I see another eagle to the right. 

My fishing pole could get jerked into the water by a huge fish at this
point, and I don't think I would take my eyes off the sky.  These two 
are flying on opposite sides of the lake and seem to be watching the 
beach and waters edge for their next meal.  As the eagles grow distant, 
they nearly come together at the far end of the lake and escape into 
the once glaciated Upper Trail Lake valley. 

As I look down, I notice a light bobbing of my rod tip.  With a jerk of
the pole and the brief sensation of a good fighting fish, I lose my 
first chance at my own dinner for tonight.  The 16 to 18 inch rainbow 
trout leaped out of the water and spit my hook back at me.  The only 
applause I get from the fish is the splashing of his tail as he 
reentered the frigid water.  It is while I am baiting my hook again 
when I see the grandest eagle of the day. 

All of these eagles today flew by from the south to the north, and this
last one is no different in that respect.  The simple closeness of this 
one makes it look as big as a picnic table.  I would guess this one to 
be 10 feet off the ground, and very startling at first glance.  I 
notice a very intent look in the eagle's eyes as it drifts over me.  
Its talons are as big as my hands and glisten from the sunlight peaking 
through a small hole in the clouds.  I see a twitch in the bird's legs 
and the talons separate and rise up.  It is now out in front of me and 
quickly descending.  Within the blink of my eyes, it drops down to the 
surface of the water and abruptly grabs a rainbow trout.  The 
defenseless fish is out of options except to try to wiggle out of the 
strong grip.  This action only drives the razor sharp talons deeper 
into its flesh and I see crimson blood dripping off its brightly 
colored sides.  The eagle takes its fresh trout dinner 100 yards away 
to the eastern shoreline and eats peacefully for the 20 minutes that I 
stay and watch. 

I established to myself that the first 3 eagle sightings were a good
omen and good luck for my fishing.  With what that last eagle did, I 
got the feeling it was trying to show me how to do it right, since it 
was probably the same fish I had just lost!  Perhaps I slowed the fish 
down or simply brought it to the attention of the nearby eagle.  Either 
way, I am glad I could help and very happy to have witnessed such a 
natural sight!


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