I pretty much keep my boat in the garage all winter, so first launch of the season is always an adventure. Even though I have been doing this all my life, it seems the older I get, the more likely I am to do something stupid. One March day a couple of years ago I was backing down Fate Sanders ramp for first launch, touched the brakes, and watched my boat disappearing in the rear view mirror as it slid out into the lake. Nothing else to do but strip and swim for it. Then I got to it, I realized that the sides are too high to climb in. Oh yeah - go up the swim platform. Once I got up there, realized my keys are in my pants pocket back on the bank. Oh yeah - use the electric. And of course, my wife was there laughing, and couldn't wait to rat me out to my daughter and all my fishin buddies, just to add to the humiliation.
So, yesterday, based on the reports I saw here, I decided to bump my planned Rock Island walleye trip and instead put in JPP for crappie. (of course, saving over an hours drive one way entered into it too). Had a new fishin buddy along, so wanted to impress him with all my outdoors skills. Backed the trailer in, went to drive off, only it wouldn't go. He backed in further, wouldn't budge. I revved the crap out of the motor, wouldn't budge. I climbed out on the trailer and pushed on the bow, wouldn't budge.
What the heck? Oh yeah - THE STRAPS…
Hey, no problem, I'll just lean over the stern and- GOOD GREIF - the boat is floating the trailer and straps are under pressure from the weight! Gotta be careful not to get my hand caught in the strap cause the trailer is gonna sink like rock and take me with it… What was that? Oh Crap - my cellphone just fell in the drink…
And of course, when my buddy called my wife to let her know why she couldn't call me, the first thing she does is call my daughter and my fishin buddies…..
fishin report - slow- lots of dinks, But it was an adventure…
btw - if you see this rig on Priest this season come over and say hi.
