BE FLEXIBLE
Be flexible for some strange and unexpected things DO happen at these events. I did not know I would have to get a ball for my hitch I had no idea I would be the one towing the boat. That brought up the problem of getting my old ball off when I got up there. I also believed I would be meeting my partner before the Seminars so we could talk over somethings. We did not meet until the seminars were getting underway. Between the seminars I was running back and forth trying to get the new ball on my hitch. When we found out the we were not able to get the old ball off which meant I would have to get at 3:15 A.M. . He was sure he had a wrench that would get it off o.k. That meant I needed to get directions to the house where the boat was stored. I lucked out on that for it was only 2miles from my motel.
Got up at 03:15 and got to the house without any problem. We got the hitch changed out and boat hooked up my car just fine. I believed my partner would jump in and wewould head for the park. Instead he said since I had to go slow with my small car instead of a truck he would meet me there with the other guys. I went the only way I knew to the place. When I got to the ramp the other guys came up for they thought I might have gotten lost. We then got the boat into the water just fine. I loaded my gear on board.
I then asked my partner once again WHERE were we going? He then informed me 20 miles SOUTH which meant going out in Lake Erie! I was not thrilled with that news to say the least. At that moment we had light rain falling with lighting all around the area. When I noticed the visability was poor at best, asked my partner HOW we would know where we are going? His reply was the other boats in the group were going to WAIT for us. Our boat had a smaller motor than any of their boats. As it turned out they DID NOT WAIT for us. We got lost for a good hour before one of the locals gave us good directions to get out into Lake Erie. The 20 miles or so on the Lake was a beating with 2-3 feet swells . My rearend and lower back was slammed against the bow deck floor more times than I can remember. Did get some good directions as we got right near the fishing place from the the other guys using the cell phones.
We also did not have a working depth finder which made us blind as to how deep the water was or where the fish were holding. We were given suggestions where to anchor by the other boats in the group. It took some time getting set up with the anchors and such since neither one of us had used this boat before.
On the way back to the dock one of the other boats in the group had a problem. Fortunately we were behind him to help out. His live well lost it's water some how. We had a portable pump we loaned him so his fish would be live at the weigh-in. Later at the weigh-in a boat SANK right at the dock area somehow. They were able to bale it out and get it up on the trailer and drag it out of there. I had already been back my hotel cleaning up and trying to get a short nap. Had gone down to the motel desk at 3:30 and said give me a call at 5:30 so I would not miss the awards get together. Had them call the place that hold ing since I was not able to place local calls as it showed I could on my room phone. Got great directions to the place. Took my nap to awake at 5:50 instead ot the 5:30 I instructed the desk. Then at 05:30 I did get a wake up call from the front desk,just rolled over and went back to sleep.
So those are just the THINGS that happened to me. I am sure 48 other teams had at least some unexpected things pop up on them. So be readty to ROLL with them as best you can.
Tight line and lots of action.
UPDATED 06-08-04