Found the joy of fishing again.

[Rapaleye]

Here is the story.
For the past 12 years I have had a console boat (Tuffy then a Ranger) and my family and I used is as the Utilityboat for the family. Part pulling tubes and ski's and part fishing. 7 years ago we were fortunate enough to buy a lake cabin here in Minnesota and we have had a lot of fun boating. As my 3 kids have gotten older (12,15,17) they love water sports more and more. The last couple of years I spent more time driving in circles then fishing and it was wearing on me. Yes I would get up early and go fish but by mid morning my phone would ring "when will you be home we want to go out". I get home, put away all the tackle boxes, poles, net, bait, put up the ski pole, get the PFD's, tubes towels etc. Drive in circles for 2 hours, get lunch drive in circles for 2 hours get dinner, drive in circles for an hour, too cold, come home, take all the gear out grab my fishing stuff again and try to squeeze in an hour of evening fishing. You get the idea.

By the end of last summer I had had it. While driving in circles I hatched a plan. I sold my Ranger at the end of the summer (in just one day mind you). I started shopping for used boats and was able to buy a used Alumacraft Navigator tiller and a used Sea Doo jet boat for just a couple thousand more than my ranger sold for. I showed my wife and oldest daughter that there was no propeller to worry about (hitting bottom or cutting up a swimmer) and I informed them that they are now the official drivers of the water sports boat.

Now don't get me wrong I realize we are fortunate to have a lake place but it was like being that close to my favorite sport and rarely being able to do it, or feeling guilty when I did because it was taking away from my kids fun time.

I have fished more this summer than in the past 5. I don't feel guilty. My wife and daughter think the jet boat is a blast. Oh and boy does it feel nice to be back in a tiller boat. Feels like having a beer with a good old friend.

Caught 22 walleyes last weekend with my youngest daughter and fishing is a joy again.
Thanks for letting me rant.
The Crappies and Walleyes in our lake better be worried.
Jim

[LLewellin]

Originally Posted by Rapaleye

Here is the story.
For the past 12 years I have had a console boat (Tuffy then a Ranger) and my family and I used is as the Utilityboat for the family. Part pulling tubes and ski's and part fishing. 7 years ago we were fortunate enough to buy a lake cabin here in Minnesota and we have had a lot of fun boating. As my 3 kids have gotten older (12,15,17) they love water sports more and more. The last couple of years I spent more time driving in circles then fishing and it was wearing on me. Yes I would get up early and go fish but by mid morning my phone would ring "when will you be home we want to go out". I get home, put away all the tackle boxes, poles, net, bait, put up the ski pole, get the PFD's, tubes towels etc. Drive in circles for 2 hours, get lunch drive in circles for 2 hours get dinner, drive in circles for an hour, too cold, come home, take all the gear out grab my fishing stuff again and try to squeeze in an hour of evening fishing. You get the idea.

By the end of last summer I had had it. While driving in circles I hatched a plan. I sold my Ranger at the end of the summer (in just one day mind you). I started shopping for used boats and was able to buy a used Alumacraft Navigator tiller and a used Sea Doo jet boat for just a couple thousand more than my ranger sold for. I showed my wife and oldest daughter that there was no propeller to worry about (hitting bottom or cutting up a swimmer) and I informed them that they are now the official drivers of the water sports boat.

Now don't get me wrong I realize we are fortunate to have a lake place but it was like being that close to my favorite sport and rarely being able to do it, or feeling guilty when I did because it was taking away from my kids fun time.

I have fished more this summer than in the past 5. I don't feel guilty. My wife and daughter think the jet boat is a blast. Oh and boy does it feel nice to be back in a tiller boat. Feels like having a beer with a good old friend.

Caught 22 walleyes last weekend with my youngest daughter and fishing is a joy again.
Thanks for letting me rant.
The Crappies and Walleyes in our lake better be worried.
Jim

Welcome back to the joys of a nice tiller boat!!!

[fishincrazy]

NICE!!!!!

I would love to see some pic's of your fish!!!!!


FC

[Litchfieldwalleye]

[QUOTE=Rapaleye;1475362]"While driving in circles I hatched a plan."
Love it!!

[Buck Snort]

You found it man! Good for you!!!!!

[BCLII]

Glad to here you reconnected, without the cost of family time!
Have fun!!!!

[v-bay gord]

Can there be anything more irritating than having tubers doing circles for 4 hours a day? My question is "do you have any neighbors that will still talk to you?". Glad you have rekindled the love of fishing....maybe it will give you insight into the havoc you have inflicted on your lake neighbors. The jet ski is the icing on the cake.....nice!!