The Old Man and the Lake

One of this thirsty fisherman’s most prize possessions is my vintage 12’ aluminum fishing boat. Many fine afternoons have been spent on this vessel, hopelessly seeking my next big catch. However, due to my recent urban relocation I no longer have my tin boat.

Now, if you are a regular reader you know I have been scouting my surroundings for a good fishing spot. All of this has been done on the bank, which is tough to fish because that’s where everyone else fishes. I hadn’t had too much success until a friend recommended a local lake that is surrounded by reeds and small willow trees. Fishing from the bank is difficult at best.

However, I did catch some really nice bass one evening a few weeks ago. I could tell that this lake is a bass hot spot, but the trick is to get out past the trees and other weeds. That is when I decided I needed to get out on the water.

Fortunately, I know of another thirsty fisherman who happens to like collecting things. He just so happen to have one of those inflatable pontoon row boats. He hadn’t used it in years and it was just collecting dust. I asked if I could have it. “Sure” he said, “If I can find it.”

Much to my relief we did find it and it actually held air. I had to replace some of the parts which had been scrounged for other projects, but I had it back together and rigged for fishing in no time. Once I got the necessary supplies from my old boat, which is in possession of one of the reasons why I am so thirsty, I was ready to go.

Tonight seemed like the perfect night for a test run, so I headed down to my new fishin’ hole. It took a while to get it all assembled and carried to the water’s edge. Next time I am going to find a closer entry point and assemble more at the car; it took about six trips to get it all to the launch.

Once I got on the water I was in heaven. This was the first time this season I have been on a boat and I couldn’t have been happier. This is the perfect fishing set up for small waters. It allows me to get right in to the nooks and crannies where the fish are.

I did have one small hiccup when I had to go back to the bank to get the air pump. Apparently there is a slow leak and I had to refill. I kept the pump with me the rest of the time just in case. You know, most boats have bilge pumps to get water out… I have a pump to put air back in. I find that kind of humorus.

The fishing was also a success; even though I only caught two bass. One of those bass weighed 2.5 pounds and was about 17” long, probably the biggest bass I have ever caught. Catching a big fish in a lightweight boat like that is somewhat exhilarating. For a moment there, I thought it was going to be reliving a Hemingway novel.

I finally headed back to the bank as the sun started to set. It was a beautiful night to start a new chapter in my fishing adventures. The beauty of my new watercraft is that it resides in the back of my trusty fishing vehicle so that I am ready to hit the water in a moment’s notice!