Thank the lord Fishermen have to work!

As we entered Lake Champlain from the south on a Sunday, it was abundantly clear that we had violated one of our cardinal rules; ‘Thou shalt not boat on the weekend’. Why, you ask? This has to do with a combination of the quantity of boats and the general lack of boating courtesy exhibited by many (not all) weekend boaters. So heading north into Lake Champlain on a Sunday morning, we encountered more fishing boaters than green heads, and thats a lot…. Dutifully, I slowed Aisling to avoid ‘waking’ these weekend warriors as they should not be uncomfortably rocked by our wake. And i’m happy to do it. I’m also legally responsible for my wake so its a good idea as well…

But there are questions; Why is it that many (not all) fishermen are sure that the fish are in the middle of the channel (i’m not expert, but Im pretty sure they are not)? Why do those in Bass Boats believe that speed is an essential component of fishing and thus must go 60MPH from one place to another (giving not a care to their brethren fishermen and waking the hell out of them?)

Yesterday we headed south on a Monday, through those same fishing grounds, we encountered exactly one (yes 1) boat fishing. I slowed to pass them with minimal wake and received two thumbs up from those on the boat in appreciation for our gesture, I was reminded why we have a rule about not boating on weekends. I also had a thought; should fishing licenses require proof of employment? Or a restriction on fishing Monday through Friday so that I can be sure my experience today is consistent? I for one think so!