| So you've inherited that somewhat dubious old | | | | yesteryear, contemporary wooden fishing boats |
| wooden fishing boat from your grandpa! You're | | | | are still being built, and you may be surprised at |
| feeling proud to be the one to carry on the family | | | | the workmanship and variety available. |
| fishing tradition, but you're also experiencing just a | | | | You may want to have a look at the beautifully |
| little trepidation at the though of setting out on | | | | crafted boats such as wide-bottomed drift boats, |
| the wide open expanses of the lake this spring on | | | | or the graceful curves of a special viking-type |
| a boat that has clearly seen better days... | | | | rowing-and-fishing boat. |
| Well, if your newly acquired old wooden fishing | | | | Some wooden fishing boat builders specialize in |
| boat is looking a little worse for wear, you might | | | | traditional Louisiana marsh pirogues and rowing |
| do well to remember that wooden boat owners | | | | skiffs, and for these you will even be able to find |
| generally accept the fact these kind of boats | | | | building plans should you be tempted to make a |
| were not built to last forever. | | | | project out of it! |
| In fact, some were probably built with the | | | | If you just want to have the experience of |
| intention that they would be replaced within five | | | | fishing from a wooden boat on your next fishing |
| or ten years, and not kept going lovingly for | | | | trip, you can head out to Ontario, where some |
| decades by well-intentioned descendents of the | | | | fishing resorts have a special wooden fishing boat |
| original owner. | | | | supplier building them to order. |
| Constant maintenance is probably the key | | | | These beautiful spacious, quiet boats are hand |
| concept here, and you will need to do some | | | | built out of cedar and oak, and equipped with |
| serious checking out of the boat's structure | | | | swivel seats, a fishfinder, and all the necessary |
| before setting out to haul in those prize catches. | | | | emergency equipment to make your trip an |
| Of course, nowadays - with newer wood-based, | | | | unforgettable experience. |
| penetrating epoxy - dry rot has become much | | | | Back to that old lady grandpa used for his outings |
| less of a problem, but you will still have to keep | | | | on the lake: It may be well worth remembering |
| up the work to keep your boat in shape for the | | | | the saying: "Nothing works on an old boat but the |
| fishing waters. | | | | owner"... |
| Apart from the gleaming, grand old dames of | | | | |