We got a late start around 11:00, but Williams Reservoir is only 4.5 miles from the Ranch.
Here is everything we needed for our day of fishing and where we keep it.
- Sea Eagle Foldcat 375fc - in its storage bag behind seats in cab of truck (we fold up the rear truck seats and it takes up the whole floor)
- Battery - fully charged and in bed of truck
- MinnKota electric motor - in bed of truck next to cab
- Accessories (oars, oar locks, fishing rod holders, posts for oars and canopy, stabilizer bars, foot pump, pedestal for rear seat, rope, etc.) - in storage bag in bed of truck
- Canopy (optional accessory) - in bed of truck
- Folding swivel seats - in truck cab on top of stored boat
- Anchor with rope - in bed of truck
- Two life jackets - front storage compartment of rig
- Fishing rods - PVC storage tubes mounted across top of basement of rig
- Tackle - front storage compartment of rig
- Dry Bag - bottom of closet in bedroom
We also keep the small battery charger in the front storage compartment of the fifth wheel. So, as I stated in my Feb 2007 Review of the Foldcat on the Forum, it's a fun, versatile boat, but you have to have lots of storage space and creativity to carry everything you need for it as a full-timer.
We checked out a couple of spots along the lake to see if we could launch without using the boat ramp.
We could have managed, but we would have disturbed some folks fishing from the bank, so we went ahead and launched at the ramp.
We got everything set up in our usual 20 minutes and we were ready to go. That's "Indian Head" in the background.
It was a beautiful day. Though we can't fish with the canopy up, we included it to keep us shaded as we cruised around the lake. We can fold it down in front when ready to fish.
As large as Williams is, it's nice that it is a "no-wake" lake. That keeps the water pretty calm.
We put the electric motor in high gear and went to the other end of the lake to the dam. We were told the fishing was good there - and the bait of choice was worms.
The clouds were already building over the mountains and as soon as we tossed out the anchor, the thunder rolled. We didn't catch a thing nor did we see anyone else catch anything.
We only got to fish about an hour when storms came in quickly and surrounded the lake. A little rain wouldn't hurt us, but the lightning strikes all around got us moving back toward the boat ramp.
Heavy rain was already moving down the slopes toward the lake.
We went as fast as our little electric motor would take us. We got the boat out of the water and started our tear down just as the droplets of rain started.
We usually take our time and wipe the boat down really good with towels before putting it in its storage bag. Not today. We had everything packed and in the truck in about 10 minutes. Whew! Just in time. :)
The hail started as we left the boat ramp parking lot. Soon it was one of those hail monsoons we've come to know. It got worse the closer we got to the Ranch.
Fortunately, the road work we did around the bridge the other day held - amazing. Some of the other road work now needs to be re-done.
This particular hail monsoon lasted longer than the others we've had. We couldn't even get out of the truck and run the 20 feet to our front door.
We eventually got inside around 1:30. The hail stopped but the rain continued until late afternoon.
A little lunch, a little TV, and a couple of naps. We pretty much stayed in our recliners the rest of the day and night.
So, the fishing was kind of a bust, but we always enjoy getting out on a lake in the Foldcat. We'll have to try again - but we'll go much earlier next time. :)
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