Rice Lake - 15th July - just was about to start, When guess who shows up?

I was sitting in boat drifting in wind with kicker running to warm up. Getting a new worm harness readied. Just about too add worm when someone shouts at me!

I turn head and see a black boat approaching from the north - out of the sun. I put boat in gear and turn away. They shout again say there want to inspect me. I take a close look - two MNR officers. They asked if I had fish on board - I answer no.

I turn off engine - they come along side. Show license. Asked again if had fish on board . Answered no again - explained that had just started.

The ask to see some of my safety equipment. While I have 3 very good LED flashlights on board - none are waterproof and floating. Had whistle. First life jacket I showed was inflatable and as I wasn't wearing didn't pass so had to show other life jackets. Was missing 1 important item. They did job of explaining why important. They didn't ticket me.

Tomorrow I'm buying a fire extinguisher.

And I'll find one of the many floating waterproof flashlights I have and put in boat.

Learned something today!

Now to START FISHING!!!

Do all boats require a fire extinguisher?i thought it was over a certain size.

As just recently explained to me - only boats with internal fuel tanks require fire extinguisher on board.

Different that all boats should have fire extinguisher. I guess assumption is that external tanks are smaller and . . . . ?

Thanks

Yes, depending on the size they may need multiple extingushers.

Bluenote, I'd be pist if I were you.

Your dealer should have supplied you with the proper equipment to be legal. Or at least informed you.

Even though my boat is small enough that i don't need to keep a fire extinguisher, i do just to be safe. Have seen too many pictures of electrical short fires from trolling motors not to mention possible engine hazards.

Just got off lake. Only 1 fish tonight - another catfish - this time by worm harness! !
Water temp cooler today at 74 F. Wind from ENE was light.

I didn't have as much day light time on water as had hoped for.

What a different start to the night!

thanks

Which kind of catfish? Bullhead?

Not too sure.

Very odd catching him near surface above the weeds.

As is second cleaned in a week am getting hang of cleaning. Went much faster tonight. And no Y bones!!!

Not upset at all. I knew that I needed fire extinguisher. Had one in old boat and gave it with boat when sold. Had planned to get new extinguisher.

However when I saw what was available in my CT for high price I thought I'd wait for to go on sale or get somewhere else at better price . . .

Then I forgot . . .

So tonight was good reminder.

My fifth year on Rice on boat - never ever been 'inspected' before. Kind of unerving them suddenly and quietly appearing from behind when I was focussed on setting up rod and watching front of boat . . .

One year did I get questioned by a creel study boat - that was different as I saw them coming.

As for not having a floating flashlight - I am wonder what became of the one in the kit . . .

Hope that everyone reading this does an actual check of their safety equipment on boat - don't assume that everything is there . . .

Thanks

That's a good point about rechecking your safety equipment.

Indeed! I was checkng my kit the other day and found my flashlight batteries are dead. Will have to put new ones in before next outing. 500km more to go on the new truck before engine is broken in and i can tow again!


Nice looking fillet job on that cat Frank. Glad you were able to get a fish. Sounds like the lake has shutdown a fair bit these last few weeks.

We thought we didn't have a fire extinguisher on our boat... but while my brother in-law was playing around with wires under the console.... he pulled out a small fire extinguisher hide under the steering console. I would of gone years without knowing there was one mounted under there.

Thanks for the heads up Frank, I think my floating flashlight batteries are toast so I have 2 others on board that probably don't float. I do have a fire extinguisher that I never want to use.

I'm going to Rice Friday morning with a buddy from work and his wife. I will be putting the old Victor spoons to the test. Should be windy so will probably drift at first and then troll if that isn't producing.

Will report late Friday, have golf and dinner planned too, should be a good day !!

Enjoy and good luck Dale, will watch for your report.

Tight lines