BOAT LAUNCH CHECKLIST
BY JOHN BERRY
The other day I was guiding in the Catch and Release section at Rim Shoals. We had stopped for lunch and were sitting at a picnic table in the shade relaxing for a minute before returning to the water. I noticed a boater drive up to the ramp and launch his river boat. He drove his truck up and parked. As soon as he got to his boat, he scurried back to his pick up and backed back to the river. He had not put in his plug before launching and his boat was slowly sinking in the river. Luckily he was able to get his boat back on the trailer and pull it out of the water before it sank. He let the water drain from his boat and then inserted his plug. He was able to return to the water and get a bit of fishing in.
It got me to thinking about my pre launch checklist. All boaters should have one. It is the mental exercise we go through before we back our boats into the water. There are a variety of tasks that must be performed before you are ready to launch.
My tasks begin long before I arrive at the ramp. I make sure that I have plenty of fuel. There are no gas stations on the river. If you run out of gas out there on the river you could be in serious trouble. I have a two cycle engine. I only use ethanol free gasoline mixed in the proper proportions with the two cycle motor oil specified by the engine manufacturer. There are only a couple of gas stations that sell 100% gasoline and I have to make sure that I fill up my gas tank the day before so that I am ready to go the next morning. If you must use gasoline with ethanol, use an additive designed specifically to stabilize ethanol fuels.
I ensure that I have a Coast guard approved life jacket (personal flotation device – PFD) for each occupant in the boat. Since my boat is over twenty feet long, I make sure that I have a throwable floating seat cushion. I also carry a paddle. I use this to control my drift and to propel the boat should the engine go out.
I also go through my boat to make sure that I have a spare propeller and the wrench necessary to change it (I also carry spare spark plugs and a spark plug wrench). I make sure that I have an anchor. Mine is a classic “Cotter Anchor” which is a one foot section of railroad track with a short section of chain welded to it.
Before I leave the house, I check the weather. How cold or hot is it going to be? I want to know about any lake wind advisories. And then there is rain, snow or sleet. I have fished in all of them and caught fish because I was prepared to deal with tough conditions. How should I dress to best survive the conditions?
I also check the water conditions. I go on my computer and look at the predicted generation for the day. Though not totally reliable, it can give you a general idea of what water levels to expect. I also check the current generation on the computer and telephone to see if the prediction is anywhere near correct.
I drive to the Ramp and park. I put in my plug (I carry a spare). I connect my gas line to the motor and pump the fuel bulb until it is stiff. I disconnect the winch strap from my boat and I attach my launching rope to the front of my boat and securely attach the other end to my trailer. The launching rope is a length of rope attached from the bow of the boat and the trailer (mine is about twenty feet long). I back the boat into the water, the boat floats off and I disconnect it from the trailer and pull it into shore. This allows me to launch the boat single handed.
I load my boat net. Mine is a long handled wooden net with a large rubber bag. When my clients hook a big fish, it is virtually impossible to land it in the boat without a net and the bigger the better. The rubber bag on the net does not catch flies like the nylon or cotton bags. I believe they are easier on fish because I can return them to the water quicker with a minimum of handling and the rubber bag does not remove the protective slime on the fish like the cotton or nylon bags can.
I load my boat fly box, fishing vest and my boat bag. The boat fly box contains the flies I fish in heavy water, San Juan worms, egg patterns and large nymphs. It also contains large strike indicators and big split shot. The vest contains all of the flies and tackle I use for wading. You never know when you might want to anchor at some likely spot to do a little wade fishing. The boat bag contains spare tools, sun screen, sun gloves, flashlight and anything else I think I might need.
I am finally ready to launch my boat and load my clients. I do not leave the ramp until I have started the engine. By going through my check list and making sure that I have done everything that I can to be properly prepared, I have made sure that I will have a comfortable and safe day.
FATHERS DAY SALE AT MOUNTAIN RIVER FLY SHOP
Give Dad a fly fishing treat for Father’s Day at the Mountain River Fly Shop open day Saturday, June 20 from 10am to 4pm.
He might even win one of 2 pairs of Keen sandals, Kaenon sunglasses, some Cloudveil clothing and more as door prizes.
Come along and try the rod of your dreams in our Cast-A_Rama session (10.30am to 12pm) on the river with representatives from Sage, Temple Fork and Ross fly rods. We will also have our own stocks of Scott and Loop fly rods for testing. Perhaps try out new Rio and Scientific Anglers fly lines.
We have tying demos all day from our custom and guest tiers from the world largest fly tying materials company Wapsi. And local artist guide and tier Duane Hada will be painting in the shop all day every half hour we are running seminars featuring local guides.
John Berry
(870) 435-2169
www.berrybrothersguides.com
