When losing the boat doesn’t ruin a fishing trip

Hello again;

I thought today I would share a story of a time when me and the people around me had every reason to be disappointed even depressed but we found a way to have a good time anyway by finding the positives.

In fact this story is referred to in my first book Leading You Out of the Darkness Into the Light

Which you can find out more about and even purchase at the link above.

Love Of Scouting

Some of the happiest times for me during my high school years were spent in scouting.

I came to the scouts kind of late in life, but I was fortunate that at that time Houston had a troop of all blind and visually impaired scouts.

Troop 962 the eagle patrol.

It was great being with other boys and doing things all kids like to do in spite of our various levels of vision loss.

When together at a meeting or on a camp out we were all just boys. Something that doesn’t or didn’t happen a lot.

Bell Telephone Pioneers

Their primary sponsor was the bell telephone pioneers. These wonderful people would raise money to buy equipment and supplies and volunteer at outings.

They also did things like take blind people to the circus, the zoo, or the Ice-Capades.

Their outings were always inter active with lots of chances to touch things.

This is about the annual fishing trip they used to have for our scout troop.

It was my first year taking part, and I was nervous for a lot of reasons.

Nervous About Going Fishing

First, I hadn’t ben fishing in a boat before. Second, I was not a good swimmer yet. And yes we all had life vests. Also, I was the new guy.

I don’t remember the two gentleman who fished with us, but that day I met scott pate who would become one of my best friends for the next five years.

Things Started So Well

So we are in the boat trolling for fish. I’ve eaten a bag of chips and had a cold pepsi cola.

Trolling means you drag the line behind you as the boat goes in big circles.

The day was going well. We had caught a few fish. We thought we might even win a trophy for catching the most fish.

It Happened

Then the boat started taking on water.

Neither of the owners knew what was happening at first. They moved towards the shore wanting to be in as shallow a water as possible.

They did a great job of keeping us calm.

Eventually the water was up to near the top of the inside of the boat.

We were helped out of it and wading ashore. Got my shoes covered with mud getting up on the bank.

We were safe but our day was done or so we thought.

First, we found out that the boat took on water because the boat used a twin hull design and the plugs between the two pieces that kept the water out came loose and let it in.

The weight pulled the boat lower and lower. At least I think that is what happened.