How I spent my birthday, Fish Sniffer Online

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How I Spent My Birthday

By: FishLady, aka Nancy Bielik
November 20, 2001

Ok. It's been a while since I wrote about one of my Fabulous Fishing Trips. . .

It was my birthday, and sweet "other half" took the day off work so I could go fishing. I patiently waited while he did some chores around the house and finally we were on our way. I really didn't plan to do a lot of fishing because we were trying out a launch ramp at a new lake. For some unknown reason I didn't feel good about the trip and told him so. I got a strange look for a reply.

After an hour's drive, we were there. We unhooked everything and I backed part way down the ramp. I got out of the van and into the boat, he unhooked the straps and backed the rest of the way down. Pretty as could be, off the trailer I floated. He drove up and parked, then walked down to the water. I use trying frantically to start the boat and it just flat out refused. Wouldn't do a thing. I went to check the batteries and sure enough they were wired wrong. Hmmm, I wonder who put the battery in after it was charged? (Not me.)

The wind started to push me into the docks. I shoved off and was blown down the channel. He, of course, stood on the shore and hollered for me to come to where he was. Sure, I could do that. Out came the paddle, and on my knees I got the boat paddled to shore. I sat there with the boat's bow on the shore trying to crank the engine. Nothing.

He got in and pushed me out. I dropped the trolling motor into position. Mind you now, I've never used this trolling motor, much less any foot controlled motor. I told him to try to crank the motor and I sat on the bow operating the trolling motor. Or a least that's what I was trying to do. I did manage to keep us out of the docks. Other half, being shy of boat motors after having blown up the last one, was scared to try to start it. In my usual calm voice I reminded him that I couldn't be at both ends of the boat at the same time.

I "trolled" us to the mouth of the channel and headed out to the main lake. Hey, we had 2 batteries. So, if we spent the day using them it wouldn't be any big deal. Other half headed to the back of the boat and got out the Owners Manual. Trouble shooting checklist was gone through...battery charged: check; key in place: check; kill switch: check. Wait a minute, it doesn't look quite right.

Sure enough, some unknown child had pulled the kill switch and not put it quite back into place. Turn the key and vroom, we have motor. Up comes the trolling motor. Off we go across the lake. For the first time I felt the motor was sufficiently broken in enough to try to "open 'er up". Got up to about 40 mph and it handled nicely. (Especially after all the internet lessons a certain person gave me about tilt and trim.)

Went down the lake and back, and finally headed to the bridge. Tied up after a couple of tries. Other half (who roots for the fish to escape) picked up a book and I threw out a line. Saw lots of huge fish on the fishfinder, but they weren't biting. It was nice to be out for the day, but we had to get back to get the boys from school.

We headed back to the launch ramp. Other half, who has no experience said he'd back the trailer down the ramp. We pulled the front of the boat up on shore and he went to back down. After about 20 tries, and with a police car sitting and watching, I couldn't stand it anymore. He got out of the driver's seat and let me back it down. It was our first try of driving the boat onto the trailer. Took a couple of tries but it worked, and he fastened the straps to the trailer, or so I thought.

I stayed in the boat and he got back in the driver's seat of the van. As soon as it happened, I knew it. He took off the parking brake before he put the van into gear. There was a nice loud "thunk" before the tires squealed and we headed up the ramp. We, of course, had to stop in the no parking area, at which time the cop finally had enough and drove up and told me we couldn't park there. No kidding. I jumped out to help put the straps on the back of the boat, and which time I found out that Other Half hadn't pulled the boat to the front of the trailer before he pulled me out of the water. The boat was about a foot back on the trailer. Thank goodness for the hand crank.

As I walked around the back of the trailer I found that the new tag had been stolen while we were out on the lake. We made it home and unhitched the trailer just as the boys called for us to pick them up from school. So let's see. The trip to the lake didn't result in any fish, but I did get to spend $6.30 for a new tag, and now my van is in the shop for the new transmission. I just love our little trips.