Enjoy the journey
By Randy Beaudette
Not all fishing adventures end with success. Preparing a boat for a day on the water requires some sort of a checklist. There is the State-required equipment like boat registration, fire extinguisher, life jackets (PFDs), horn, lights etc. Then there is the gear for fishing – like poles, tackle, bait and any other gadgets that the experts claim that will give you, the angler, an advantage over your aquatic opponent.
Once at the lake the boat has to pass an “Invasive Species” inspection before it can even touch the water to ensure you’re not introducing something like zebra mussels clinging to your boat from another lake. Final preparations like the all-important, tie the rope to the bow hook and install the drain plug are now the concerns of the moment.
Then there’s the challenge of getting your craft down the boat ramp into the water which has caused more than one boater to break into a nervous sweat, especially if there is heavy traffic at the dock. After all, we want to look like we know what we’re doing in front of those who really do. Backing down the ramp in a “Snaking Fashion” is one technique I use. It’s ugly but it gets the job done. Once the boat is floating in the water and there’s no excitement from “Red Leader” standing on the dock, the boat is unhooked from the trailer and a relaxing day on the water is now a definite possibility at this point. Park the truck and trailer and head back to the boat. Yes! Hopefully you remembered to unhook the electricals from the trailer and your truck before backing the trailer and boat down into the water.
Into the boat and start the motor and we’re off. But wait – where’s the ignition key? It’s got to be here somewhere. No? Rats, look in the truck. As I shuffle past the inspection shack, I explain to the State Inspector that I can’t find our boat key and that we might be at the dock a few extra minutes. He laughs and fires back, “At least you remembered the drain plug.” I replied with a nervous laugh that I had…as I looked back at the boat to see if it was still floating. After a frantic game of find the key with no success, plan “B” popped into my head. The boat has a trolling motor (the kicker) that doesn’t require a key. Hah – that’s it, we’ll use the kicker to get around the lake.
Pulling numerous times on the starter rope with not even a hint of life, I comment to Red Leader, “Oh, the gas valve is turned off.” Once the valve is open, two powerful horses from the Mighty Mite III scream to life. Yes! Red pushes us away from the dock, and we are on our way. Suddenly a quarter of a mile from the dock the Mighty Mite decides to stop being so mighty. Oh, that’s a long paddle back to the dock. Gas again. It needs more gas. Fill the tank. That’s it!
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful until the wind started blowing. Knowing what I do about the high country lakes, I know that the wind can come up quick and strong. Being downwind from the dock, we were not in the best position to experience any strong wind. The big motor has been silenced by the lack of an ignition key, and a two horse kicker motor is hardly a formidable opponent for a stiff breeze. After 45 minutes of struggling to get back to the dock, we loaded the boat back on the trailer and spent the rest of the day shore fishing – with no luck of course. I guess that’s why they call it “Fishing” and not “Catching.”
Even the most thought-out plans can be upset by the smallest detail. A thorough and well thought-out check list is a must for every outdoor enthusiast. Hikers, anglers, hunters, campers and especially boaters all need the proper gear to enjoy time in the Colorado outdoors. After returning home “Red Leader” found the boat key laying in the yard. That wasn’t where I put it, and the key was not on my checklist, but it is now. Enjoy the outdoors everyone and be safe.