With a live well finally installed, I was able to get out on the river three times in August: twice with buddy Bill Logan of the Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Our first day out, in rain with a strong north wind, was a true sea trial, and all systems tested positive, though the notion that I could stay dry under such conditions was clearly wrong. As we set out from Pepin bound for the mouth of the Chippewa, the boat lurched from crest to crest on the big waves. On the return voyage, at dusk, the bow of the boat banged recklessly into white caps as I struggled to maintain a level plain until I realized that slowing down was the best course. I am grateful to Bill for his calm reassurance on a day I would not have had the nerve to launch into alone.
The first fish was collected was a young carp weighting 1.666 pounds. I have been pleased with the output from the new camera. It will be interesting to work from such sharp photographs when it comes to cutting wood engravings of fish.
I like the swift uplifting rush of Pelicans taking flight, nice video.