broken-fish.net

Well, just getting the last of my stuff together for the trip.

Have never fished Figure Eight before – and it looks like a pretty nice place. We’ll soon find out
It’s only 6 hours of driving away

Our plan is to fish there for a few days, and then on the way back, hit Swan for a couple days.

Looking forward to trying the motor out on the pontoon boat, and also testing out the front anchor system that I made for the pontoon boat last weekend. Today I picked up a rope cleat from Boatcraft here in town – looks identical to the one that came with the Skykomish Sunrise, which should be ideal on the other side of the seat. I also picked up a package of 4 ft cam straps from the Fishin Hole – so that should make strapping things to the rear deck better, and I’ll also be able to strap the deck to the pontoon boat better with an extra pair of straps.

Well, almost ;^)

Just need a cleat or something to secure the anchor rope, but using some bits and pieces I had in the garage, I was able to put what I think should be a very functional front anchor. Some wing nuts, a couple bolts, a number of washers, and a small section of PVC pipe to act as a roller for the anchor rope, all mounted to a 4 foot section of galvanized pipe that fits nicely into the front end of the pontoon boat frame, just ahead of the left foot rest.

I hope to find a mounting clip similar to those that are used to put the frame together, so that I won’t need to use any tools at all – the wing nuts help, but need to use a standard screwdriver to get it tightened well. It might be a good idea to spray paint the anchor mast as well to prevent any rust.

Tags: equipment, mods, pontoon boat

Well, the stocking program is in full swing – and they’ve updated the stocking lists (I have a link in the menu to the right).

It’s very interesting to see that the province is now stocking some lakes with triploids! Definitely puts a few places on my “places to fish” list ;^)

Haven’t been up to the Athabasca area for a while, so that is probably going to be later this season!

Tags: fish stocking

Well, I broke down today and purchased a electric motor for the pontoon boat (and canoe). Ended up getting the 30lb. thrust model – Rob bought the same one, and has found it more than adequate to move the pontoon boat around.

I’m still researching the battery. He bought a Kirkland deep cycle from Costco. It’s a $100. Walmart has an Energizer model, for the same price, and I believe that Canadian Tire’s Nautilus batteries are the same price as well. I’ll also need to get a charger – thinking that I’ll pick up the Minn-Kota portable charger ($60), or a Nautilus charger ($70).

Update: Picked up the Canadian Tire Nautilus battery. And began setting up the pontoon boat to how I think I want things positioned. I used a section of 2×4 about 60″ long, so that the 2×4 extends 6″ past each side. This way it can act as an oar rest if I want the oars right out of the water. A couple 1/4″ slots allow the board to sit nicely into the deck plate, and I’ve secured it with 3 lag screws and washers.

I’ve also reversed the head of the trolling motor. I think that it will be more comfortable trolling so that I sit and watch my line having the motor configured this way. It’s only a single screw and nut to put it back to normal, so we’ll see how it works out.

I’m also thinking about fashioning some sort of wheel system – and have a wheel on each side of the rear deck that can swing down for transport. Still working that out in my head.

Tags: equipment, fly fishing, pontoon boat

Spent the day at Star with Shan and Rob. We all managed to land one rainbow each on the new pontoon boats. Only downside was that was all each of us managed to land!

Regardless, it was still a nice day out on the water, and we’re all getting better and more efficient with setting up the boats!.
This is the one I landed – a very healthy looking 16″ specimen!

Tags: fly fishing