I’m gonna miss that boat

I was packing my things, crossing off my list and aiming to head out of town to meet up with a longtime fishing buddy.  He had a three day jump on the lake, so I had to wait patiently for a report.  When the fishing is good my buddy isn’t one to be modest, so the fact my text messages went unanswered was reason for concern.  The report was not good, a sudden heat wave had the trout hunkered down and on day three their fishing vessel had capsized.  All their fishing gear gone, the operators thankfully okay.  

  As I got our trailer packed I noticed a ring of light shining through the floor.  With my wife’s assistance we discovered this was one of four bolts holding the body to the frame.  Upon further inspection, the bolt and washer, merely a nickel drilled down the center to merely delay inevitable failure.  I decided to take this as an omen, and keep the family and I home and let the barometer mellow out, and continue with upgrades and repairs.  It did make me look through some of the fishing photos of the past several years that were spent in buddy’s now retired boat.  It really was a matter of time before the wrinkles in the aluminum turned to cracks.  Looks aside (and a bit of safety) many a fine fish were had on this boat.  With pleasure I was often given captains status, so my partner could recline in the adirondack chair, one hand at the ready, the other on a cold Molson.  The razor sharp abrasions on the gunwhales always added a bit of chaos to landing a fish  watching the pile of line at your feet disappear. She will be missed.

Just a reminder to everyone to stay safe out there.

The local lakes are getting stocked and fishing licenses are renewed.  It was a good enough excuse to do a little a troll.  Nothing to hand, but it was nice going through the motions again.  

I noticed some definite gaps in the fly box, so much for having a productive winter of tying.