Mr. Pike 18

I found this old catalog photo of the Smallmouth Fly Box boat, a 1980 Lund Mr. Pike.  Me and my boys have finally got the new cedar floor in the boat and will be mounting the seats this weekend.  We are replacing the hatch doors and rod locker door too.  All minor stuff, but the boat should look pretty slick when we are done.

We are adding a new CMC PT-130 Trim and Tilt unit, a new outboard mounted Minnkota motor (85# thrust), a power anchor, stereo and a new fish finder/sonar.

The original owner of the boat painted it black!  The surface gets so hot you can't even touch the top edge of the boat when it is sunny.  We are sanding it down and having it painted a nice color that will be cool to the touch.

The boat is plenty usable right now, but it sure is going to get even better.  I hope to get out on the water a bunch this year.

New Smallmouth Fly Box Boat!

Well..it's official, the Smallmouth Fly Box has a new (old) boat! Bought it today! It's an 18' Lund boat, galvanized trailer and a 50 horse Mercury. Has 2 live wells, rod lockers, full console, nice seats, running lights, fish finder...

The motor purrs like a kitten and the trailer is a beauty. Need to add a bow mounted trolling motor and we'll be in business.

I will be replacing the deck this summer and adding the new trolling motor. This girl will be on the river with the kids and dogs in no time. I'll admit I'm a bit nervous about running a long shaft motor on the river, but I'll take my time to learn the river and be fine.

All in all it's no big deal, a new/used boat that needs a little work.  Up until now I have been a lowly canoe/wade/shore fisherman.  Nothing wrong with that, but now I'm turning a corner towards getting on some real fish and maybe even taking my boys water skiing. 

The official name of this dingy is "My Baby Girl" after my baby girl on the left.  Unless I come up with something better before I letter the boat!