Maiden voyage

It's a boat built for two. A fisherman like Tal, who also like Tal has given up his big bass boat, Matt saw a boat in the back of a pickup truck one day in early June. Nothing would do but he had to find the owner. A long and determined story later and several weeks later, they drove Tal's truck with Matt's trailer in tow to a marina in Columbia yesterday morning and brought their boats home. Yes, they each got one.


Called a Bass Hound. Looks to me like a margarine tub. 10 feet 2 inches by 5 feet 5 inches. This is its maiden voyage in our pond. After the photo op Tal returned to shore and all four of us, two adults and two dogs took a short cruise. (Now, THAT would have been the picture! Our bow sprites trying to drink as we whirred along.)

This morning before dawn Tal and I, coffee in hand, were off to Derrick's Pond, the Bass Hound snugly slipped into the back of the truck. During the drive day break commanded our attention. The most forceful of the color was gone by the time we pulled onto the dam, but it was still a rather humbling sight as we prepared to put the boat in the water.

The little boat does seat two pretty comfortably, if they're mindful of their casting. It also has a companionable feel. While I am a canoe devotee, given the rigid seating arrangement, talking quietly as you fish along isn't part of the deal. This morning we had a good talk while we helped each other boat fish.

And, we boated MORE than bass. I'd kinda wondered what the deal would be -- southern fishermen and their largemouth bass and all that. Just take a look at the names of the big fresh water rigs: Bass Master, Bass Pro. And, even our little tub: Bass Hound. Then there's that big box sporting store, selling equipment and clothing for hunting, archery, fishing. It's name? Bass Pro Shop. Anyway, I gladly threw back the catfish I caught (squeaky to the touch), but we kept half-a-dozen nice bream in addition to three largemouth.

Any guesses about supper?