Jet Sled version 2
Clay loading up a rod after a successful first run
A little while ago I bought a project and I'm about to start the process again. Last time I had a lot of requests to write a build report and not having the platform to do so I used FB which was me just posting a lot of pictures with out much reporting or content. This time around I plan to use this site and as this begins to take shape write about it.
So…the last project was a Jon or John boat with an outboard jet drive. From now on I’m just going to refer to these boats as Jet-Sleds. My first Jet-Sled (V1) was a riveted Alumacraft 1432 (14 feet long and 32” on the bottom) with an old Evinrude 25 hp.
Somewhere on I-35 Fueling up on a Double Quarter pounder
I really was Just buying the engine for another boat so I really didn’t care if the boat leaked (it did) or what condition it was in (rough). If I could get it for the right price (I did) the engine wouldn't even need to run (it didn’t). I had done enough research and talked to mechanics, friends and who ever would listen. We were confidant that if it didn't run 800 bucks would fix that (it did). The boat was reborn, used for a while with friends then sold when I ruptured my Achilles tendon, which was fine, I wasn’t in love with the boat. She was a handful on the water and in no way conducive to guiding. She did however run like a scalded dog and had a unique look. I plan to fix the “handful” problem with waterline and will most likely shoot for the same look and outfit the V2 Jet-sled in the same manner.
I really enjoyed the last project and tolerated (very well I must say) all the “dude, when ya gonna be done so "WE" can go fish in it” or “dude, your OCD”. This project will most likely take longer. Jet-sled V1 came as a package deal…Boat, Motor and trailer, at present time I have none of what I need accept a clearer understanding of what worked and what didn’t, that and a line on a 40/30 Yamadog.
Poppy supervising while I work, She's 18 months now so this wont work.
Stay tuned sports fans I’m looking forward to this project and sharing it on this web sites blog
Enjoy, tight lines and shallow running boats.
Winston
REALITY CHECK
Being the greenest member of this group when it comes to guiding I had a less than comfort level with the Guadalupe, professionally speaking. With a couple trips around the corner I asked Alvin to play Client for a day and join me on the Guadalupe on his next day off. First, this says a lot about Alvin. He knew it was important enough to me to do and as the Boss his “open door” policy meant that on his day off (a cold and windy one at that) he would spend it with me on the water and away from home. Honesty, any of the guys would have done it. Good dudes for sure!
A walk to the boat
So now that I’m done kissing ass I’ll say this. I’ve got no problem rolling into a joint I know nothing about and catching fish. Fish gotta eat, and I’m good enough to catch them, as I did last month in the “middle of nowhere” Kentucky. This “lunch with the boss” was all about AWG clients. I’ve fished the Guad enough to know the “fishing” aspect this trip was more logistics.
With an open seat on the boat and my spot for the day being understood (just row, Winston) I invited a dude who, in my opinion, is Central Texas fly-fishing, Mr Diefische. If you follow Diefische (I think you should) you know that last year he unlocked the Guad and will probably do so again this year. He is a great writer, a solid fisherman and humble, as the day we were about to have is long. Fun dudes to have on the boat for sure!
So we pushed off around 1200 and to make a long story short, 4 hours later we had managed 1 fish. I had 2 dudes that knew that river as well as anyone. We fished flies we knew work and when they didn’t we changed it up to others. We didn’t “throw the kitchen sink” at them instead we focused in finer on what we knew had worked in the past and fished a little harder.
Say Cheese Mr fische
I was out for other reasons than just catching fish, so for me the day was hugely successful. Tail Waters are tricky; they seem to have an on/off switch. This was a good reminder that when the fishing is off the fish don’t care who is in the boat. As we said our goodbyes I remembered what my friend Jake said once “a skunk day will show you more about the character of your fishing buddies than anything else” but we didn’t get skunked so who cares what Jake and those “chi Wulff guys” think.
That dreaded ramp, "joe client" no more...crank it Alvin
A good reality check sure does sting sometimes.
Tight Lines,
AWG