More Boat Modifications...

I've often written about those four stages of outdoorism.

Stage 1 is you want to catch all of them.

Stage 2 you want to catch the biggest one.

Stage 3 you want to have nice gear.

Stage 4 is you just enjoy being in the outdoors. 

As I meditate on these four stages, which can be kind of a spiritual thing, I perceive there can be some going back and forth between each one and sometimes a person, like my wife can become stuck (actually I believe she has moved on for now) in that stage where she wants to catch all of them. Today I found myself in that stage where I wanted my gear to be nice so in continuing with boat repairs and modifications I installed rod holders.  

These were not the kind of rod holders that position your pole for the bite but rack style holders to get the pile of rods we always seem to accumulate off the bottom of the boat and out from underfoot. No one is getting any younger and believe me when I say trip hazards are real. I carry so many rods because I'm a fishing opportunist. If it's biting I'll catch it so I needed equipment rigged for various species. I've given some of that up. See stage four.    

 

I installed holders for 9 poles to travel in upright positions. I also bought a new landing net, see stage three which stored like this is a better ready position than how we kept the old one which was tangled in all the rods we used to just throw about on the bottom of the boat. This does reduce storage to 8 rods but the old net had a couple of holes and if your wife has ever lost a fish because the net was tangled and couldn't be deployed or the fish slipped out the holes I say you, my fine fellow have never had a proper butt chewing.  

I have always considered the measure of a good fishing pole being that you could step on it and it wouldn't break. With this new system and poles no longer under foot I might step the old rod budget ( see stage 3) up a price point.  

Weather looks good so maybe some on the water action tomorrow with fish photos to follow. 

I believe the only repair task left is installation of the stern navigation light. I bought a new one but the base if too wide for the rail. I could modify the old base but I think a couple of C-bolts will serve better. Alos not critical for legal operation but the old docking lights on the front are out and before a camping trip they will be a cheap easy replacement.  

My boat looks so nice I really don't care if I catch anything at all so see Stage 4.