There are a couple of expressions commonly used by boat owners. One is “A boat is a hole in the water where you throw money” and another is “The two happiest days in a boat owners’ life are the day you buy the boat the day you sell it.”
Boat ownership does have its challenges, but there are also many very enjoyable things boats provide and time on the water is indeed special. Whether you like fishing, cruising, water skiing and tubing, fishing or just beating the summer heat, boating is indeed fun. There are, however, a lot of things that go wrong with a boat and given how short the boating season is here in New England, there can be frustrating moments waiting for your boat to be repaired so you can get back on the water.
This week, my 2007 Tahoe is waiting for parts to complete the replacement of the throttle controls, which after almost 20 years were worn and shifting gears was difficult. Instead of having the entire system updated, it was my decision to replace only the shift unit and, predictably, the rear connective cables were also stretched and needed to be replaced. So, another parts order and the wait for delivery and then installation while also needing to pull the boat from the water, as the repairs must be done with the boat trailered.
Fortunately, my acquisition of a pontoon boat means that we still can be out on the water. My fishing, however, has been curtailed as the Tahoe is an excellent fishing platform and, equipped with a MotorGuide Great White trolling motor, it gets me around in comfort. My thought when buying the pontoon boat was to equip it with a trolling motor for fishing, but the fact that it is 24 feet long makes the trolling motor less effective and the boat is much more impacted by breezes than smaller boats, so there is a hold on that plan.
It has been suggested to me that the new specialized fishing kayaks might be the way to go, as most of my fishing is solo. Modern fishing kayaks have evolved to pedal power or special trolling motor mounts and are set up for the installation of fishing electronics. They are now “fishing machines” with all the bells and whistles and surprise, a price tag to match!
For me, however, there is another issue that has kept kayak fishing off my radar. My two French Brittanys are fishing fanatics and get really excited when a fish is hooked. A kayak would never be a good environment for a dog, never mind two fired-up pups. It might be worth a little exploration, as those using them praise them for both bass and trout fishing in the local trout waters where they are great for trolling flies and lures. After all, we cannot have too many gadgets, right?
Before too long, yours truly and everyone who enjoys hunting will be getting involved in preparation for the fall. The loss of great friend and super dog trainer Pat Perry is becoming very real, as the dogs would have been involved in training already. Wild birds born this spring will be fully flighted soon and we will be getting out to train and condition. The controlled conditions Hedgerow offered were such a great way to work with bird dogs and get them ready for the season. We will start with basics and yard work and gradually run the dogs early and late when it is cooler and incrementally get the pups ready. The woods right now are absolutely full of ticks, so check your dogs every time they are outside.
Hopefully next week there will something to write about after a shark fishing trip to Maine. Joining me will be my brother Chris and his son Jared. Our guide will be Bob Humphrey, who has a reputation for knowing how to catch sharks.
My relationship with Bob goes back well over 30 years. He was a natural resources student at UMass Amherst when this outdoor writer began serving as chairman of the New England Outdoor Writers Association Scholarship Committee. Bob was selected for the scholarship award and has been involved in outdoor writing and activities since. He guides fishermen for a variety of saltwater fishing species, but specialized in sharks, competing in a number of shark tournaments in New England.
Jared has long expressed a desire to shark fish so this event will be fun. When the trip was booked, Bob noted that there are a number of variables that influence shark fishing success. We may be a bit early, but there are also striped bass to target. Can’t wait!
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.