I had an unfortunate accident this spring that resulted in my hand being crushed. After surgery and pins, my hand is expected to make a full recovery. Physical therapy was challenging but necessary to return my hand to normal. After a month or so I was able to begin kayaking again in my Wavewalk. The therapist was impressed at my improvement. I explained how paddling seemed to improve my hand strength and dexterity. My surgeon confirmed that it was perfect therapy for many reasons, the most important was that it was an activity I enjoyed. As time went on , later this summer I was able to fish again. Back to exploring new waters, this time a remote lake in Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I found a few bucketmouths and pike. It was great to be fishing and exploring in my Wavewalk again!
I am building my Suburban into an Overlander. My first step was to build the roof rack so I can take either two S4s, an S4 and a W700 or of course 2 W700s. The rack is not complete until it gets a floor (perforated steel) and ladders (one on each side). We will have a roof top tent.
My church does an annual church campout. This year we went to Alta Lake which is on the East side of the state. I was able to sneak out in the mornings and in-between activities to do a bit of fishing. The wind was a constant and irregular companion. One moment it would be dead calm and the next moment whipping 15 mph through the canyon. But that is no problem for the ole W700. Kokanee were quality fish 15-16 inches. Now I need to go back for just a fishing trip!
It’s June 1st, and I got a call from buddy Mike that he and his Father were taking the canoe striper fishing.
So I loaded up my gear and met them at the launch.
They were having some motor starting troubles, so I set out ahead of them.
Ran up river and started my drift back down, casting some top water, with no interest, then a single paddle tail on a 3/8oz gotcha jig head……nothing, not even a follow.
I picked up the rod with my hot lure for Stripers this season, first cast, nothing, second cast third or forth crank of the reel and BAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
Fish on, and the tow ride down river begins.
She was digging down hard, shaking her head and up and rolling on the surface trying to get away.
As I got here closer to the W700, she dove right under it.
Good thing I fight these standing up, or she would have broke my rod if I was sitting, I wouldn’t have got the rod down in the water in time.
Rod tip in the water, fighting the fish back out from under the W700.
I get her boat side again, I reach from my lip grippers and got her mouth on the first try.
Then I realize I forgot my pliers!!!!!
Lucky for me she didn’t fight me as I removed the two hooks in her mouth.
Now Mike and his Dad got the motor running and we head up river, I stayed behind them for fear of causing a wake and tipping them over……it wasn’t pretty, but they got it done.
Start drifting back down river and my lure gets slammed as soon as it hits the water!!!!
Fish On…………………………off…………what the heck…….my rig broke, and she’s gone.
Still fishable, I cast out again and BAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
She hit it hard, rod doubled over…..then POP…she was gone….the rig broke again and now will be put to rest. (Till I make a new one)
It was time to end the trip, skies were looking mean and the wind was starting to kick up.
My buddy and his Dad were already back at the launch when I headed in.
Still a Great day in my book, just being on the water is good enough, the fish I catch are just a Bonus.
I Love my W700, she getting way more love then the W500’s lately, but summer is here and and they will get tons of use with my Daughter, Lisa, and my Grand Daughter, those trips I will take video’s of.
