Walleyes Forever |
PWT pro from Bozeman The best thing about fishing an area like Fort Peck can also be the worst thing. This, of course, is the remoteness of this region. My son and I have fished for years on Fort Peck and each trip can be an adventure. Many times, we travel 40 and even 50 miles one way or another up the lake and we have never failed to arrive back safely. Now, knock on wood, with any lucky we will never have a serious problem, but if we do, hopefully we will be prepared to handle it. During the past five years, we have had to get our tools out many times. We once replaced a prop while out on the water and have even done repairs during tournaments. By following a few basic rules of preparation, you, too, will arrive home safely and perhaps end up in the tournament money. Before you leave the dock, make sure that you first have your boat outfitted with the basics. This would include full tanks of gas and oil. You should also have a paddle, life vests for each person, plus a certified throw-in preserver. Make sure that you have a fire extinguisher in good working order. A kicker motor adds a real element of safety if the main engine goes down. I like my Mercury four-stroke kicker because you can draw gas from the main tank, giving you the range you may need. Now that your basic boat is taken care of, you should carry some additional safety items, tools and spare parts. The safety items that I carry in my boat are a complete first aid kit, including aspirin, Motrin, etc., sunscreen, sunscreen Chap Stick, matches and a cigarette lighter. A compass is critical - it is a required item on the Professional Walleye Trail as is a safety flare kit. The flare kit includes a flare gun, a mirror and a distress flag. I have a GPS, which is handy in the fog or at night. I also carry a lake map, especially on larger lakes or reservoirs. Another of the PWT's required items is an anchor and 100 feet of rope. I always carry my rain gear, a flashlight, a knife, an extra pair of sunglasses, toiletries and personal medications. On large bodies of water, I never leave camp without at least some lunch and enough drinks for a day (water and juices are the best). Tools are another necessity and I have a kit that stays on my boat. The minimum tool kit should include a pair of pliers, a vise grip, assorted screw drivers, a plug wrench, a small Crescent wrench, duct tape and electrical tape. I also have a propeller wrench, a needle-nose pliers and a 50-foot length of 1/8-inch rope. I like to have an assortment of spare parts on board, beginning with an extra set of keys for my boat engines and storage compartments. I have a spare propeller and a spare propeller washer, nut and cotter pin. I keep an assortment of fuses, at least one spare for every fuse in the boat. I keep a small selection of screws and nails. I have a spare drain plug, some plastic tie-downs and five feet of coated electrical wire. This should not be considered a complete list, but it can cover most emergencis. You might also be surprised that all of these items do not take up a lot of space and the costs are minimal compared to the rest of your boating investment. Before you go out on your next adventure, do a little planning. Add a little preparation. And you will arrive home safely. Good fishing. |
