Jellystone Park: Bearing Fish

[Joey Gatorman]

It was four in the afternoon one day at Jellystone. It wasn't a typical, day, though. A typical day involved Yogi Bear getting into food-related mischief and Ranger Smith sorting matters out. This usually involved the utterance, and theft of, picnic baskets and consuming the contents within. There were signs posted throughout the park asking visitors not to feed the bears, but when did the rules ever say anything about the bears feeding themselves?


There he was in his cave, which he shared with his close friend Boo Boo. This wasn't an average bear cave. If one ignored the rock walls and flooring, it was just your typical living room with a few comforts. Yogi was laying on the couch, looking up at the ceiling, as a thought came to his mind. He had been on his best behavior all day long—wholly unlike the bear everyone knew, but not always in a good light. Curiously enough, all he had today were leftovers he had kept in the refrigerator. It must have come to a surprise when Yogi asked Boo Boo:

"Say, Boo, how's about goin' over to the lake for a couple of fish?"

[625]

The small bear had been throwing darts at a dartboard and scoring 4 out of 5 times, when Yogi, who was lying on the couch nearby, mentioned dinner plans. He glanced down at his pocket watch, seeing the hour hand pointing to four. Yes, he supposed he could go fishing with Yogi. At least the other bear wasn't planning to get his fish from picnic baskets, a habit that naturally got him in trouble. "Sure!" Boo Boo replied, setting the rest of the darts down on a nearby table and heading to the closet to get a fishing rod. "Would you like a fishing rod too, Yogi?" He asked. Most bears would use their bare paws to catch fish, but Boo Boo had been raised in a more civilized setting, and anyways, he found it much more relaxing and efficient to fish like a human than as a bear.

[Joey Gatorman]

“Well, why not? The easier the work, the easier the catch!” He sat up, stretched his legs and joined Boo Boo, where he looked for his tackle box.

The closet was a somewhat cluttered mess, but everything inside of it served a purpose: from a bow and arrow to golf balls, paper airplanes long yellowed from age and the elements to a couple of bungee cords, these items played a part in getting Yogi and/or Boo Boo his daily meals. The tackle box wasn’t hard to miss, though: it was red, made of aluminum and completely intact, located in one corner of the closet.

“And here it is!” Yogi exclaimed, picking up the box. “Now show me the rod, and let’s get us some cod—or maybe some salmon will do!”

[625]

 There was no need to fetch Yogi's fishing rod as the larger bear had joined him at the closet. Although it could also be classified as a small museum showcasing all the items Yogi had used in past schemes. He found the rods and passed the larger one to Yogi, who'd already taken the red tackle box out. "It's too bad there aren't any lobsters or shrimp in the lake. I miss the delicious flavor of fried shrimp and lobster rolls." He said to Yogi, reflecting on past meals he had with his old owner as he exited their cave.

[Joey Gatorman]

Yogi took the larger rod in hand. As Boo Boo reflected, Yogi was tempted again. “Fried shrimp? Lobster rolls?” He was lost in his own imagination for a few seconds before snapping out of it. “Please, Boo,” Yogi slightly admonished, “let these people deserve their day off from me!” The temptation had crossed his mind, but only temporarily, for him to go back to picnic baskets, but moderation won out—at least for now. “To the lake!”

Fortunately, the lake near Yogi’s cave wasn’t exactly teeming with fishing boats—about four or five, some out in the distance. Yogi may not have had a boat, but that didn’t stop him from sitting right by the water. “Gorgeous day, eh?” he asked.

[625]

"Sorry, Yogi" he replied, now aware of how sharing his memories of human food to Yogi was tempting the other bear back to his thieving habits. He'd eventually succumb at some point, but at least today he was willing to resist the temptation. It was a sunny day out, a couple of boats on the water. He wished he could have his own boat, but he didn't have any money. At least there was quiet spot where he and Yogi could fish in peace. "It is, sunny but not hot." he said, as he attached the bait to the hook and cast his line into the water.

[Joey Gatorman]

Yogi didn’t hesitate to cast his line; he wanted some food now. He moved the line around, reeling it in slightly, until he quickly got a bite. “Aha! I think we got our dinner!” As he reeled it all the way in he started to feel disappointed that it wasn’t putting up a fight.

Indeed, it was a small plastic cooler which may have carried a few sodas for some fishermen, but was of no use to either bear. “Shee,” he muttered, “I prefer my fish to be a little meaty!” It was still very early, though, and he tried again.

[625]

The cooler was blue with a white top. It didn't look too old so it must've fallen overboard recently and only been under the water for a few days, though Boo Boo wouldn't be surprised if someday Yogi Bear managed to reel a in cooler off of someone's boat. He peeked inside but as he was doing so, his line immediately went slack and he suddenly felt himself being dragged towards the water. Whatever had been lured to his bait was definitely larger than the small bear. "YOGI! HELP!" he cried out. He was practically jet skiing now, trying to keep from being dragged under the surface of the lake.

[Joey Gatorman]

“Ohhh no! Hang on, Boo!” Yogi said, tossing his rod aside and wading across the water to go after his friend. The movement seemed unpredictable, and Yogi could only tread water in the middle, hoping whatever it was would turn back. He could see Boo Boo riding back, and whatever was doing the pulling headed straight for Yogi. He had to think quickly: grab Boo Boo and hold on tight, or grab the rod and leave Boo Boo to swim back—provided he knew how to swim to begin with.

Yogi made his move: he grabbed onto Boo Boo and held on tight.

[625]

If it hadn't happened so fast, Boo Boo would've let go and let the thing under the water take his rod with it. But it's speed had been too much for him and now he was too scared to let go. If he did he'd end up in the lake and whatever it was might come and eat him. Yogi had come to his rescue. When he was close enough he'd grabbed Boo Boo. But perhaps this creature was more cunning than he thought, luring the bigger bear in with himself as bait. That likely wasn't true, but whatever it was suddenly moved back towards the center of the lake. It'd happened so fast that there was a chance Yogi might lose his footing and get dragged along with Boo Boo, or he was holding Boo Boo tightly enough that the line would snap. Only time would tell.

[Joey Gatorman]

“YIIIIKE!” Whatever it was couldn’t possibly have been human, as whatever it was dragged the two bears along the lake, to everyone’s bemusement. Yogi had those moments where he wondered what it could have been, and other moments where he would tell Boo Boo to let go of the rod when they were near the shallow end—if not for the fact that he was almost underwater, except for his arms and feet. A few seconds later, Yogi’s head came up. “Let go of the rod!” he yelled.

[625]

  The cry of the other bear startled Boo Boo into action. When the underwater behemoth dove into the depths of the lake, Boo Boo finally let the rod slip through his fingers, and swam upwards towards the light, finally bursting through the surface of the lake. He breathed in the air, grateful to finally be rid of whatever it was that he'd managed to lure in. He scanned the lake for Yogi, but before he could say anything to the other bear he saw a large dark shape approaching him through the water. Uh-Oh. Boo Boo yelped and swam as rapidly as he could towards land. But the creature was equally fast, and closing in on the little bear.

[Joey Gatorman]

It turned out to be Yogi.

“YEEEEIIIIEEE!” the bear yelped as he swam very quickly, back to where they had been sitting before the whole mess started. He made it back easily, pulling Boo Boo back in, too. “Are you all right?” He asked.

[625]

 Boo Boo clamped his eyes shut and waited for the inevitable. It was faster than he was, and in a moment it had overtaken him. Then he felt solid ground. "Wha..." He said. He was on land again. Boo Boo stood up and scanned the lake, but the creature was gone. He turned to see Yogi. He examined his body, all four of his limbs were still attached. "Yes I'm fine" He replied. "That big black shape...was that you?" he asked.

[Joey Gatorman]

“Of course!” Yogi said, still in surprise over what they went through. “That thing is hideous! It’s dangerous! And it’s got your rod!” Getting out of the water, he got on all fours and shook the water from his fur. “Come on, Boo Boo,” the big bruin beckoned, “This requires a traditional approach!”

---

Yogi went back through the closet. As he rummaged through the various knick-knacks he recalled a time the two of them went scuba-diving together—no food to be gathered; just good old fun. He realized they hadn’t gone down in quite awhile. Grabbing a harness, tank, mask and a pair or fins for each of them, he also pulled out a large net and harpoon. He rarely used the harpoon; it was too extreme for food gathering. This time, however, he had no choice.

---

At the shallow end of the lake, the two of them were decked out, ready to go. Given the size of the thing, he was somewhat worried Boo Boo would be swallowed whole. “This requires strategy!” he declared. “I’ll go down, I shoot ’im with this,” he said, holding up the gun, “We wrap the net around him and we bring him up! Does that sound satisfactory?”