Ann and I are visiting Clark and Vanessa in Iowa. Clark and I went fishing on the Mississippi River yesterday morning. It became quite an adventure. Clark’s boat and motor were given to him and the motor is 35+ years old and has been a little unreliable. We drove up river and launched about a mile or so below a dam where we were planning to fish. After going a half- mile the motor quit. We had a trolling motor so we fished and moved up stream toward the dam. It was slow but we got to our destination. After fishing unsuccessfully, it became apparent that a storm was brewing and we decided to head back because of the lack of a motor. Surprisingly, Clark was able to get the motor running and we got about half-mile before it quit again. Clark’s daughter, Lacey, called to tell us that a tornado watch was in effect and 60 mph winds with hail and lightning were moving in.
The rain started and we were plodding along. Thankfully we were headed downstream. We had a headwind going out and were anticipating its benefit on our return but unfortunately the storm reversed the wind and we were facing a strong headwind. Getting wetter by the minute and lightning starting to pick up, we were beginning to regret our choices. Not having any real alternative, we made our way to the boat ramp as the rain got heavier. We made it to the boat ramp and got the boat loaded. Just as we got into the truck to pull away, torrential rains and high winds came in.
I was thinking about the times that I have heard about people in these sort of circumstances that ended badly and would say something like how could anybody be that stupid. Fortunately, Clark and I, being above average were able to survive.
So here is what I learned from our great adventure. Do not fish on the Mississippi River in an old boat with an unreliable motor with weather forecasts of severe weather during the time you are going to be fishing. It was a good thing that Clark and me are above average stupid.