Sure could have used a backseater last night

[1bigfish]

Well I figured it would happen someday and last night it finally did.

I posted an open seat and didn't get any takers so I went fishing solo as I have done many time before. Fishing was OK, but not great. I got back to the launch about 8:15 and there someone in front of me also taking out. Since I was solo I wanted to use the lane close to the dock so I waited on him. It took a while for him to get the boat on so I just sat there waiting. Finally he had it on the trailer and was walking to the truck to pull out, so I got out and ran up to my truck and started to back down. Well since the current pushes the boat against the dock I rarely tie the boat off and as I looked in my rear view mirror I noticed my boat is drifting back and about to leave without me. So I put the truck in park, run to the end of the ramp, and try to grap it before it floats away. Well I was a little too late as the boat was just out of reach. So off come the shoes, take the wallet out, take off the hat and sunglasses, and into the Willy I jumped for a nice swim.:sick: I got the boat back to the dock and this time I tied it off as I before went up and finished backing down the boat.

If only I would have had a backseater to hold the boat for me.:passout:

[chromeseeker]

Now that's hardcore! It's a wet lesson to learn, but awesome effort. At least it was somewhat warm out last night. Either way, though, that's cold water in the Willy. How was the fishing?

CS

[tuanchau]

After reading your story, I will never try and fish alone for two reasons, 1 I'm not the best swimmer and 2 it must have been a pain to board the boat from the water.

[Raining_Kings]

First accessory on my boat was a good ladder!

I've had to swim at the boat ramp before, it's not fun. At least you took your wallet and sunglasses out.

I gotta say though, not tying your boat up to the dock while in a river is kinda a "DOI!" moment ;).

[Blacktailfiend]

Wow.. That sucks.. What was the water temp..:D Everytime I go to grab the rig all I can think about is that my boat is going to somehow float away and I tie it up tight every time.. I almost replied to your open seat post but it would have taken me till 630 to get there so I decided to stay home. Maybe next time..

[bad habit]

I would go with ya, I live 5 minutes from that ramp. I need the river experience.

[1bigfish]

I know people are wondering why I didn't didn't tie the boat up to the dock. Well if you use the launch on the Willy in Salem very often you already know the answer but for the rest of you I will explain.
The launch is on the up stream side of the boat ramp and in the current. Which means when you launch your boat the boat usually slams right against the dock as soon as it clears the trailer. It can be a real pain in the @$$ when the river is really flowing, but the upside is that once you boat is pushed against the dock it ain't going no where. Of course this time of year the current is really not that strong and I underestimated how big of wake the boat taking out in front of me was going to make and the wake was just enough to push my boat back to the very edge of the dock.
The boat only got about 5 feet from the dock and with the lack of current right now I was never really worried about the boat getting to far. That is why I had the time to actually take out my wallet and such. Heck if it were anywhere else I would have enjoyed the swim because the water was really quite warm, but the fact that it was the Willy made it really quite disgusting.
Last year alone I used this launch 31 times and so far this year I have used it 9 times. I guess I just got too complacent. But I won't be doing that again anytime soon.
I shared this story only because I know so many of us tend to become complacent about some of small details when we are out on the water and hopefully this will help someone out there think a little more about the small details of what they are doing. I know I will be usuing my brain a little more the next time I go out.

[1bigfish]

tuanchau, going solo is fine just make sure you tie up you boat at the launch.:D

Blacktailfiend, I would have loved to have you out on my boat.

portlandstatekid, I was thinking it was more of a Bill Dance moment.:D

[Basshound]

OH no! Im glad to hear it didnt go any worse. Thanks for he invite for this weekend even though i cant make it. After this weekend it looks clear for quite a while. I would love to be your personal boat holder!

[kmk1012]

Good lesson for all! How was the fishing, I may be there this evening. I just picked up a bunch of new crankbaits that need to go for a swim!

[KRTGrumpy]

Yikes, good thing you still had the key in the boat... Would have been a bigger bummer if you had left it on the ring in your truck or on the dock w/ your wallet and shoes.

Good lesson shared.

[1bigfish]

I only landed 7 with only 2 over 2lbs for the night. The first spot I fished I got blanked, the second spot I fished I had 4 bass is less then 10 minutes but all of them were dinks so I moved. I could have had way more fish if I would have stayed on that hot spot but I wanted to try and find some bigger fish. Since I didn't have a backseater I played around and tried new areas and spent almost an hour trying to force a topwater bite but didn't even get one blow up. The weeds are not floating down the river too bad anymore so I was able to toss the crankbait when I wanted to and ended up with 4 on a lipless crank. The rest came on a dropshot.

So how did you do last night kmk1012?

[cimfl]

Well, now I sure feel guilty!! I turned down the invite due to other plans! I didn't know this was going to be a swimming trip too Dave! Sorry we didn't hook up. I am in Vancouver for a week, and going to hit the Columbia while I am up here.....let you know how I did.

Jim

[Just Fish]

I will send you some rope so you can tie your boat to the dock:wink:I would not have been brave enough to make that post:D

[Okumauser52]

Damn 1bigfish, I feel bad I couldn't be there for ya. My schedule looks tight this week but if you need assistant or a seat filled hit me on the IM. I'm only two minutes away from the ramp and my gear is always in the car. Glad to hear you got your boat back.

[1bigfish]

Damn 1bigfish, I feel bad I couldn't be there for ya. My schedule looks tight this week but if you need assistant or a seat filled hit me on the IM. I'm only two minutes away from the ramp and my gear is always in the car. Glad to hear you got your boat back.

Last week I couldn't find a backseater but this week I posted one up and not only did I get it filled in less then 20 minutes but I had to put 3 people on a wait list for the next open seat. I also had to tell someone to take a flying leap and that I would rather fish alone the rest of my live then ever let them on my boat.

If you want me to put you on my list send me a PM with you phone number.

[Hunt'nFish]

Just got back in town Dave. All I can say is .............http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/rbfree/rotf.gif:laugh:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/rbfree/rotf.gif:laugh:
If I didn't know better, I'd say you were wet behind the ears. :D
Glad all that happend.... was you got wet.
Oh well, it happens. And of course, I've NEVER done anything like that.
Hunt'nFish

[1bigfish]

Last week I couldn't find a backseater but this week I posted one up and not only did I get it filled in less then 20 minutes but I had to put 3 people on a wait list for the next open seat. I also had to tell someone to take a flying leap and that I would rather fish alone the rest of my live then ever let them on my boat.

If you want me to put you on my list send me a PM with you phone number.

Since I have been asked by a few people I will expain my comment.

The person I told to take a flying leap was not from this board. He is from another board. The person had posted a few months ago several comments like "the only good bass is a dead bass", "bass make great fertilizer", ect... I guess he thought I would not remember his comments. Of course had the person been from this board I would have had the same response.

Two of the people who I now have on my short list of people to take a trip in my back seat are from this board. They are Cliff and Twothirteen. I will be getting both of them out as soon as I can so watch for the reports.