That's the Brakes

Early Morning Optimism

Headed out to Clinton Lake before dawn—overcast skies, boat rigged up, everything looked good. Picked up Greg, sailed through the drive, and hit the water ready to fish.

Chaos at the Ramp

• First hiccup: Trolling motor was dead at the ramp.
• Back up the hill, tools out in the Arnie’s Boats parking lot, finally got her spinning after some frustration.
• But trailer brakes? Totally shot, and discovered to be metric lines when repairs began.

If you’ve ever tried fixing brakes with the wrong flare tools, you know the pain…

Trouble Comes in Threes

• Minor trolling motor issue while on the lake—maybe that’s the third problem?
• Nope. Eleven PM, 45 miles from home: the rear tire blows out, spectacular fashion on the highway.

“Gun lock on the spare? Great idea until it rusts and you’re stuck fighting it by flashlight.”

Greg’s patience and a heroic pair of pliers won the battle against that lock. The triumphant yell echoed into the Kansas night.

Angler Safety Tip: Never use a gun lock on your spare tire. Lesson learned.

Highway Heroes

With a tiny bottle jack and a nice round rock, my luck was wearing thin. Thanks to a KS Highway Patrolman who loaned a real floor jack, my wife didn’t have to spend two hours rescuing us—and the patrolman, as it turns out, had another car to save just two miles up the road.

Home Safe, Wiser

Frustrations, failures, and mishaps aside, we made it home. That’s the most important part. Fishing stories are best when you live to tell them.

@ksbigbass