As many of us here I came from humble beginnings when it comes to boats. The first boat I ever ran on my own was a canoe when I was in the Boy Scouts. I knew then that my days on the bank would be numbered if I could get afloat. Small Jon's and a couple of canoes kept me afloat when I first got out on my own and thru the early years of my Marriage and started having kids. Just was never the money that I needed to get the one I wanted, and that always changes. Time went by and I finally took the plunge and moved up from there to what you see me in today. It's very comfortable but has it's limitations.That big a boat has disconnected me from the smaller lakes that surround me. I changed that last weekend. I bought a 15' Grumman canoe that's in great shape.
Today was the day to see if I was clean out of my mind or just a bit twisted. Had the canoe loaded last night and all ready to go so all I had to do was open the gate and drive. Got to the park at Monroe and it was after 6 and a no show by the guy with the key so I crossed to the other ramp and got busy. Worked out better due to the fact that the other park has a sandy area that's more friendly than concrete for moving into the water. I've done the big boat so much that I just think of it as part of the day. It seemed like I was in the water in seconds compared to The Other Woman. I can move it around fine alone and will be better when I get a dolly and trailer for it. Filled a cooler with water as a counterweight to keep the nose down and headed out. The sun hadn't even warmed the sky, truly 0dark30. Found a light close by and threw a jig at it and was rewarded with a 12 1/2 or 13" fish. First in the new boat!! WOOOHOOO!! Admired him and slid him back without a sound and 3 or 4 casts later got his cousin about the same size. Same deal, slid back. Having fished lights before I know the initial bite is always good but the activity spooks some of the others and that was true today. Somewhere about 4 or 5 they weren't much interested in what I was offering and I moved on. All this time the wind is nada to very light, couldn't ask for better. I moved around and found a few more, including a good copperhead 'gill and a warmouth that thought he was a Goliath grouper, all 6 inches worth. No gar or greenfish showed up today. About 10 the wind started to be an issue and this thing is truly like a leaf in a parking lot so I called it a day. Total catch was 11 and could have made dinner but not much more, but a great first trip. The first time in 15years that I have been in a canoe, and I call it a success. Those fish in the small lakes close by will be getting a visit soon. Thanks for visiting with me today and I hope you smiled reading this, I sure smiled a lot this morning........Skeet.