Sky Salmon Fishing with Grandpa

    I ran up to Grandpa and asked if I could join him sky salmon fishing.

    "Sure can, kid" he replied. "Here, help me load this rope while I get the poles."

    I eagerly grabbed the rope, and though it was a little bulky for my small stature, I managed to heave it into the skyboat. Grandpa came back chuckling, climbing into the craft and strapping the poles down, making sure they were each tethered properly in case they slipped out.

    I hopped in, tethered myself, and then Grandpa started the lift and directional propellers. We began hovering, and Grandpa untied the dock line, letting us float freely. The propellers whirred louder as he began our ascent, and as we rose higher, I started to see the sky salmon leaping among the clouds.

    "There they are Grandpa! Should I get the poles out?"

    Grandpa chuckled "No not yet, we need to find a good thermal to anchor to first."

    Oh right, we'd need to set our anchor sheet to use the thermal's current to counter the sky salmon's pull. Eventually we found a good thermal between some nice puffy clouds, and Grandpa let out the anchor sheet. A circular frame holding a giant sheet arose from the skyboat and kept us centered on the thermal.

    Grandpa dropped the propellers to an idle, and finally he took out the poles. We each grabbed one, took a seat, and simultaneously launched floathooks from our poles. They shot out from a chamber under the main pole, and when they reached their apex, a charge ignited and inflated small floats that kept the hooks from descending back down. They offered minimal control but were otherwise guided by whatever currents they lay on.

    Sky salmon continued leaping upcurrent; it was an amazing sight. In the distance we saw real airships cruising along, probably fishing bigger game. That's ok, right now I was enjoying my time with Grandpa.      It was one of those clear days where the sky was just so blue and the clouds looked like an illustration.  We sat back watching the salmon leap when suddenly my line tugged hard. It almost slipped out of my hands, but I caught its grip before it could. Grandpa dropped his pole and grabbed my pole with the firm grip of a skyfisherman. He handed it back and made sure I was holding firmly this time, then he let me work the pole, slowly reeling it in as the fish fought.

    Little by little I managed to reel it in, and once we secured it in the boat, Grandpa looked at me, then started laughing, then gave me a big hug saying "great job kiddo! Your first sky salmon, what a day! I'm so proud of you!" I laughed with him; it felt so good to finally catch one.

    We pulled the thermal anchor back in, started up the propellers, and descended back home. Dad was home when we returned, and I leapt out to tell him about the catch. He laughed too and came over to help unload the fish with Grandpa. We all helped scale the fish while Mom started the fire. When it was cleaned, gutted and cooked, we all sat down to eat. That's one of my best memories.