Riparian Rights in Nova Scotia

Riparian rights is a term from British Common Law. It refers to the designation of a river or stream as an article of real property claimed by the owner of the lands through which it flows. In my last post, I mentioned fishing private water in the province of Quebec. Private water no longer exists in Nova Scotia, unless you count man-made trout ponds, or backyard swimming pools. The law states:

"As a resident of the province you have the right to go on foot along the banks of any river, stream or lake and upon and across any uncultivated lands and Crown lands to lawfully fish with rod and line in these rivers, streams or lakes; you also have the right to use a boat or canoe on or across any river, stream or lake." (The Angling Act)

I was surprised to learn that much of the Medway River and the right to fish from Bangs Falls to Poultice Falls was once owned by a man named Michael Dwyer. Compare the letter of the law with the tone of Mr. Dwyer's letter to Mr. McGinty dated June 02, 1909. (Click to enlarge.)

I can only surmise that Mr Dwyer had made agreements with all three men named in the letter. Mr. Dwyer mentions sharing the expense of keeping a guardian on the river. I believe Payzant and Silver were contributing financially to this effort and, as such, expected first rights when Dwyer was not on the river. Included with the letter was a hand-drawn map showing the location of Michael Dwyer's lands. (Click to enlarge.) On the map, there is mention of Dwyer having purchased land from McGinty. Perhaps a condition of the sale was that McGinty would be allowed to continue to fish the river. The matter was eventually resolved with the passing of The Water Act of 1919 which terminated all private riparian rights, and transferred them to the government of Nova Scotia.

If you're thinking that this legislation was created to provide equal access for all anglers, think again - equal and free access for anglers was only a fringe benefit. The driving force behind the Water Act was to expropriate the province's waterways for future hydroelectric development.
Good Luck and Good Fishin'!
-Random Phrump

Al's Amazing Catch

It was a perfect day, mid-August, 1999. We were fishing private water on the Old Fort River in Quebec, guests at Morgain's Salmon Camps. There were four of us on this trip: Dad, Alan, Dave and me. Dad had flown Al home from Alberta for his first taste of Atlantic Salmon fishing. Our daily routine was to travel in groups of three men - one guide with two sports. Dave and I went with Harvey Fequet, 8 miles by boat to fish Third Pool. A mile hike further on were Tag Pool and Fourth Pool. Dad and Al stayed closer to camp with Curry Fequet on First Pool and Second Pool.

At the foot of First Pool there is a wide sandbar where salmon congregate. Al had raised several fish there with a white Phentex bug, and even had hooked a couple briefly, but couldn't master the fine art of playing and landing a grilse. The air was thick with advice, "Keep your rod tip up!" "Keep the line tight - don't give him any slack!" "When he's taking line, let him go! When he tries to rest, reel like hell!"

It wasn't long before Al had another hookup on that Phentex bug. He followed Dad's and Curry's advice on playing a salmon and did his best to keep the rod tip up. The grilse cartwheeled through the air several times yet, in short order, the fish lay docile in the guide's net, whereupon the hook instantly fell out of its mouth!
When Curry examined the fly, he noticed there was no point on the hook - it had broken off! Alan, being a novice flyfisher, had experienced a close encounter of the rocky kind on a backcast. It had blunted his hook completely. He had been fishing the same fly for a couple of hours, had connected with several takers, but had been unable to achieve a solid hookup on any of the salmon. It was a minor miracle that he even hooked, let alone, landed that fish!

To illustrate today's post, I found a similar fly, put it in a vise, then snapped the business end off with a pair of pliers. The sketch in my journal, however, suggests that the remaining hook on Al's fly was, in fact, much shorter than my attempt to replicate it. (Click on the middle photo for a close-up view.) Landing that fish was quite an achievement for any angler, even more so for a newbie! So, here's to Al, the unsung angler, and his amazing catch!
Good Luck and Good Fishin'!
-Random Phrump

Photos by Random Phrump.

Hurricane Noel Hits Nova Scotia: Trout Hit the Beach!

On the first weekend of November, we were visited by Hurricane Noel. Although it had been downgraded to a post-tropical storm by the time it reached the Atlantic coast of Canada - it still packed a good punch, with wind gusts up to 140 km per hour.

The photos give you some idea of what washed up on Beach Meadows beach. The rocks and the sand were littered with Rainbow Trout, some of the estimated 500,000 that escaped when wind and waves destroyed a fish farm located near Coffin Island in Liverpool Bay. According to local reports, the sea cages broke loose from their moorings and were dashed to pieces on the rocky shore. In the days following the storm, people combed the beaches harvesting the dead and dying trout - some filled their freezers with them.

Although many were killed, the vast majority of the half million escapees are still at large. Rainbow Trout are not a native species in this province, but they have been successfully stocked as a recreational fishery in a few land-locked lakes. Rainbow Trout have also established spawning populations in several Cape Breton rivers as a result of escapement from aquaculture operations in the Bras d'Or Lakes. What are the odds of Rainbows showing up in river systems along Nova Scotia's South Shore next spring?

According to David Dagley, secretary of the local Fish and Game Association - not so good. He says,

"Rainbow Trout prefer water with a pH of 6.0. Here in Queens County, our rivers have been so adversely affected by acid rain that the pH is in the 4.5 to 5.0 range."

Personally, I believe the escaped trout will wander into our rivers: they may even spawn in them. Whether the eggs will hatch and the fry will develop normally in our acidic waters, only time will tell. Fishing season re-opens on April 1st, 2008.
Good Luck and Good Fishin'!
-Random Phrump

Photos by Robyn Bertling.

Global Warming? Shifting Seasons?

The talk among Nova Scotia Atlantic Salmon anglers this fall has been all about the weather. September and October have been unusually warm. While the balmy days make comfortable conditions for anglers, some are saying they would rather brave the cold.

On Nova Scotia's Margaree River, Thanksgiving weekend anglers were saying that the fall run had not arrived this season. No one I talked to had seen a bright fish. Salmon that were sighted in the pools were all "black fish" - some had been there all summer, according to local anglers.

On the Wallace this weekend, there was no sign of the fall run. I talked with a woman who had tagged a grilse, and I actually saw the fish - scrawny and black. I also heard an eyewitness report of a large salmon being released, another dark fish.

I spoke with my friend, Norm Fortune, yesterday. Norm is a fixture on the River Philip, a local angler with years of experience. In his words,

"I thought the last two years were bad, but this year is terrible. I haven't seen a bright fish yet. Every year they come later and later. The season will be over before the fish come."

Norm is one of a growing number of anglers who believe that climate change is influencing Atlantic Salmon migratory behavior. He would like to see the salmon fishing season changed from its current (September 1 - October 31) dates, to a new schedule (September 15 - November 15), one that reflects what anglers are recognizing as a new pattern of migratory behavior - late returns of fall run Atlantic Salmon.

The water temperature yesterday on the Wallace was 55 degrees F. I checked my fishing log: Ten years ago, on October 25, 1997, the water temperature was 35 degrees F and the pools were full of fish. On that day, in a two hour period, I watched 69 salmon and grilse leap into the crisp autumn air - each one bright as a silver dollar!

Twenty degrees Fahrenheit is a significant temperature differential. I don't know what signal tells a fall run salmon when to enter a river, but if water temperature has anything to do with it, the local anglers may be on to something.

Photo by Dave Dobson: Town Pool, River Philip.

Medway Gold...Green... and Red

What fabulous colors we enjoyed this fall! My wife and I took daily excursions on the Medway River in Charleston. I poled the boat while the Missus took pictures. They speak for themselves.
































Photos by: Karen Dobson

Atlantic Salmon - Nova Scotia's Fall Run

Next weekend I am going to do some salmon fishing in Cape Breton. Nova Scotia's fall run of Atlantic Salmon tends to favor big fish on many of the North Shore and Cape Breton rivers. You are more likely to catch a 10 - 12 lb Multi-Sea-Winter (MSW) salmon than a 5 lb grilse.

Whether or not it sparks an aggressive reaction from the fish, the Cardinelle definitely gets their attention. Salmon seem to be more inclined to take a marabou fly when it is "pumped" with the rod tip, causing the fly to pulsate as if it were alive. Sometimes the take can be very subtle, so set the hook if you feel any hitch in the fly's swim. At other times, they hammer the fly. You will have no doubt that you are into a good fish, but set the hook anyway. Tight Lines!

Banting Lake Lodge

One of the dumbest things I've ever done was to videotape over a great piece of angling footage. It happened at Banting Lake Lodge in Newfoundland. I had borrowed a video camera and tripod for the week-long trip and this was my first experience using one. The beginning of the week was rough - hot as hell, water low and tepid. We fished like demons, nonetheless, from dawn till dusk, and one morning, towards the end of the week, I woke to hear Rocky, the guide say, "Harold's got one!" It was about 6 AM and, sure enough, there was my dad at the Top Pool well into a feisty grilse with the whole camp still snoozing. Seeing him land the first fish of the trip really got my Mojo going, and I couldn't wait to start fishing.

I tried the Middle Pool and soon raised a salmon. In fact, I raised him five times before I put down the rod, trudged back to the lodge and got the video equipment. With the camera all set up, I continued fishing. Ten times I raised the fish before he took the fly, and I got the whole thing on tape. It was a five lb grilse - pretty much as big as they get, for a 63 cm fish. Later at the lodge, we watched the footage and everyone said it was the first time they had ever seen a salmon take a fly on tape. I was pretty proud of myself, as I rewound the tape, cueing it up to watch once more.

About that time we heard a plane approaching. I put the camera down and we all hurried outside to see who was flying in. Then, I it occurred to me that I should get a few shots of the plane landing, so I went back for the camera and, without giving it a thought, recorded over most of my precious footage. Afterwards my brother, Steve, who works in the television industry, pointed out that there is a small switch on the cassette that locks it to prevent accidental erasure. Damn! I was wishing my leg was long enough to kick my own ass! Anyway, here is some of the footage just before the salmon grabbed the fly.

"Habits are at first cobwebs; at last chains." Old English saying.

A habit is like a harness - it is a thing unto itself and has no particular relation to any behavior. It can be a willing servant or a terrible master. It takes about 3 weeks of mindful repetition to form a habit that will function automatically, that is, without any conscious effort. You cannot destroy a habit, but you can replace it with a new one. To quit smoking, for example, you must spend three weeks cultivating the habit of not smoking. How does this relate to fishing? Well, if you can develop a set of good habits, you are likely to become more successful and will probably enjoy your fishing more. Here's a story that illustrates what I mean.

One day, I invited my brother, Dave, to join me for some Atlantic Salmon fishing on the Medway River. It was early July and with the water low, I could hopscotch from rock to rock and get out to a place where I could clearly see salmon lying in the pool. Dave took up his position and began casting, while I observed the reactions of the fish. His fly landed gracefully, upstream and to the left of their lie, then swam with the current to pass just in front of their noses. The salmon ignored the fly for the most part, but on one particular cast, a fish surged up and, at the last moment, turned away. There followed many more casts with no reaction, when finally, I remembered that the salmon had risen to an errant cast that had fallen almost on top of the fish. I mentioned this to Dave and he promptly dropped a cast right on the money.

"You mean like this?" he asked.

Before I could reply, the salmon answered with a resounding smack at the fly, tasted the hook, and streaked across the pool. He leapt clear of the water, came down with a huge splash and, suddenly, the line went slack. Dave reeled in to find that all of his leader and a piece of the fly line itself was gone. When we examined the line, it was brittle, probably from exposure to insect repellent and sunlight. We could easily break pieces off with a sharp tug.

"When was the last time you checked your line?" I inquired.

"I haven't used this rod and reel since Grandy's River in Newfoundland," he replied, "two summers ago."

Right then and there, I vowed to make two habits that have increased my effectiveness as a guide: one - to always check the terminal tackle and test the knot and leader strength before a guest begins to cast, and two - to always pay close attention to exactly where each cast falls.

Postscript:

We replaced the leader and moved on to the next pool. Dave hooked a grilse at Little Salmon that gave his tackle a real workout as it cartwheeled high in the air, landed on a flat rock, flopped back into the water, swam under a sunken log, then back out again. After landing the fish, we both agreed that if we had only gotten video footage of that fish, we'd probably never have to work again. It was the most amazing piece of angling skill and shit luck either of us had ever seen.

Photo by W. R. MacAskill, "Medway River 1928" Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management.

Silver Carp "on the Fly"

Better hold on to your hat or wear a helmet! Silver Carp, an introduced Asian species, have invaded the Mississippi River system and have now reached the Illinois River. They can attain weights of 60 lbs, but are more commonly seen in the 10-20 lb range. These fish are seriously spooked by motorboats and will jump 6 to 8 feet out of water, sometimes injuring boaters.

Asian Carp feed exclusively on plankton and other micro-nutrients by filtering surface water, and are very difficult to catch on rod and reel. Rising to meet the challenge, however, some innovative Americans have come up with another extreme sport. It gives a whole new meaning to taking fish "on the fly".



Photo by Jason L. Jenkins, University of Missouri.

"Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once." (Lee Wulff, 1939)

Lee Wulff was a flyfishing legend. A true pioneer, he was responsible for a number of flyfishing innovations including the fishing vest. Wulff was also one of the first anglers to advocate Catch & Release, and he pioneered the development of lightweight tackle for Atlantic Salmon. Piloting his bush plane during the early 1950's, he explored Newfoundland and Labrador looking for new angling opportunities. He was a giant among fly fishers during the golden age of American angling.

The short film below is a gem. Pay attention to the skill exhibited by Wulff as he steps into the canoe and sits down (about 1 minute in) - just after he loses a fish. He does it with a natural ease that reveals a superb athlete. Later he coaxes a saimon to swim between his legs, and follows it with the rod. Equally impressive is the guide who shows expert command of the canoe in fast water with a 14-foot spruce pole.

See Lee Wulff in action on the Miramichi. This is Part 1 of 2.

More of Lee Wulff on the Miramichi. Part 2 of 2.

Fishing for Nourishment?

I've been thinking about the sport of fishing - how it originated, how it has evolved, what could be next... Obviously, fishing was originally all about food. Somewhere along the way, at least for some of us, it became more than that - a hobby, an art form, an obsession, a religion? Beyond the need to provide sustenance in a physical sense, fishing has come to provide a kind of spiritual nourishment, especially for the urban dweller. It's a way of relaxing, of reconnecting with nature, and it provides the time and the framework for reflection - an essential ingredient in professional and personal growth.

With the growing popularity of Catch and Release, thanks to pioneers like Lee Wulff, many Atlantic Salmon anglers are becoming actively involved in conservation measures. One organization that is worthy of support is the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Aside from the satisfaction of making a contribution towards sustaining wild Atlantic Salmon, membership has other advantages, notably their superb quarterly publication, The Atlantic Salmon Journal.

Photo by Dave Dobson: October on the River Philip.

"Trying to catch a fish with rod and fly is like trying to catch a bird with string and bread." H.R. Dobson

This is an interesting analogy, put forward by H. R. Dobson as part of our early education in fishing. I always thought it meant that an angler should practice stealth because fish, in particular, Brook Trout are wary creatures. I'm pretty sure that's what was intended, but I have been thinking of other interpretations...

When we were kids we loved to fish off Liverpool's Town Wharf - a massive wooden pier with a blotchy patina of creosote and seagull shit, and always, the stirring bouquet of dried fish guts. With our closed-face spinning reels, fiberglass rods from Canadian Tire, and "Daredevil" lures, we caught Pollock and, sometimes, Mackerel right off the wharf. It was lots of excitement for young boys! Once a fish was caught, we used a jackknife to chunk it up for bait, and hauled Eels and Sculpins up over the dock, as well. Occasionally, a bold Seagull would find itself on the wrong end of a hook, and cause all kinds of commotion.

What if birding were a legal sport like fishing? What if we could get a license to go out and try to catch birds with a rod, a reel and a lure, or bait? We'd have to study the habits of each species, and practice conservation, of course. There would have to be bag limits and seasons. I imagine we'd find pigeons pretty easy-to-fool, sort of like Pollock. People might go on safaris to capture exotic trophy birds like Emus or Condors. We might have to use live bait to capture Peregrine falcons, or to bag a Snowy Owl.

If "birding" were a legal sport like fishing, would you do it?



Photo: Pigeon Eye by David Gifford

Dragons that Fly!

Here is a photo of a dragonfly (Green Darner) that has just been fitted with a tiny radio transmitter by Princeton University professor, Martin Wikelski (left). The scientist was tracking their migratory patterns in a 2005 study funded by National Geographic. Apparently they only fly during the daytime, in a generally southward direction, pausing sometimes for several days when conditions are to their liking. Two consecutive nights of decreasing temperatures will get them moving again.

One day on the Pinware River in Labrador, my brother, Steve, shot some video footage of a large dragonfly circling my head, picking off the blackflies that swarmed there. I joked about wishing it was tethered to my hat, trained to attack insect pests on command. Apparently, using Wikelski's technique, such a thing is possible. He uses Krazy Glue to attach the miniature radio transmitters - so, why not a length of monofilament?

I actually did have a dragonfly on a tether once. It happened like this. I was fishing alone in my canoe on a stretch of the Mersey River known locally as the Kedgie River. This is the section that flows from Kejimkujik National Park to Rossignol Lake. Trout were rising under overhanging trees near the riverbank and I made a beautiful cast with a small dry fly. It doesn't happen often, but this was a perfect presentation. As the line straightened out and the fly began to float down through the air towards the surface of the water, I anticipated a nice Brook Trout coming up to slurp it down.

Instead, something unexpected happened. The fly instantly took a different direction and came crashing down with a splash several feet short of the intended target. Annoyed and perplexed, I stripped in line to cast once more, when to my complete amazement, in slow motion, the fly and leader levitated off the water and up into the air. I kept stripping line and soon I had a clear view of what was going on - a large dragonfly had a death grip on my #14 Adams and was trying to make off with it. He circled the canoe, then dropped it and flew off. The truth - so help me, God!

The Boat on the Medway

Here is a shot of the 12' aluminum boat on our land in Charleston. I've been going there almost every day lately. Today my wife and I were there twice. In the morning, we cleared brush and in the evening we took a boat ride and snapped a few pictures.

As noon approached I noticed a guy in a pontoon boat with a fly rod, fishing the water upstream from us. He told us he hadn't seen any fish. Perhaps dawn or dusk might have been better times for August fishing but he looked like he was just happy to be out on the river on such a fine summer day.


Photo by Random Phrump: Medway River, Nova Scotia.

Here's your hat - what's your hurry?

Over at Steve Dobson's Fisherman's Blog, there is a post or two on the topic of fishing hats. My wife likes to travel and I always have the same request: "Bring me back a hat." Some of the hats she brings me I actually wear. In this case, the "Cool as a Breeze" model from BC Hats (Australia) has become my "go to" hat for fishing, gardening, boating - even mowing the lawn.

Let me tell you what makes it work for me. First, the brim is wide enough to provide a generous oasis of cool shade on a sunny day. Second, the crown is made from a nylon mesh that lets the breezes flow through. Third, it has a soft absorbent cotton "sweat band". Fourth, it is lightweight - made of sturdy canvas, but not as heavy as their leather models. Fifth, the adjustable lanyard keeps it from blowing off when you have an irresistible urge to stick your head out the window of the pickup and holler, "G'day, mate!"

The Original Dobson Clip "Hands Free" Rodholder

Steve's done it again! I hate to brag, but that brother of mine is one smart feller. Years ago, he invented a system that allows a person to control a professional video camera from a wheelchair. He won serious kudos and an industry award for the innovation.

Now he's designed the perfect "hands free" rodholder that attaches to your fishing vest. It allows an angler to change flies, change leaders, or release fish unencumbered by the rod. At the same time the Dobson Clip holds your rod perfectly balanced and positioned for a great catch and release photo. At $14.95 (tax and shipping included) this is a must-have gadget for the serious fly fisher. Check it out at The Original Dobson Clip website.

Photo by Dave Dobson.

"Your true colors... are beautiful like a rainbow." C. Lauper

I have been at Acadia University this week learning about communication, collaboration, and inclusive education. My course is in the morning so that leaves my afternoon or evening free for fishing. There is a small lake only about 15 miles from campus that is stocked annually with rainbow trout - a species not native to Nova Scotia. After looking at a few maps and making some inquiries, I found my way to the shore of the lake and waded out.

I hooked one right away and stripped in line till I had the fish in close, then decided to wind up the slack and play him on the reel. That's when he did some aerobatics and finessed himself a long-distance release. The second fish was much the same. The third and fourth, I managed to bring to hand and release. In thinking about the experience, I love seeing and touching the fish, but I kind of like the LDR - it's a Win-Win situation. The fisherman wins because he fooled the fish into striking his fly, the fish wins, because he escaped from his predicament. The most successful fly was my #8 Rumsey Lake Minnow (3 out of 4 fish) and the other was the magic dry fly - #10 Tom Thumb.

TIP: For summer fishing, when it's too hot for waders, I like to wear shorts and an old pair of sneakers - but running shoes don't dry easily - they stay damp and smelly. I've tried those "river shoes" with the rubber sole and mesh top, which dry in a jiffy, but they don't offer much protection from rocks. This year I stumbled upon a pair of molded rubber clogs at WalMart for only $8 - knock-offs of the popular Crocs brand. I decided to give them a try. They are great - lightweight, comfortable, washable, fast-drying and like a suit of armor for your toes.

"When a man gets to a certain age, he stops looking at women and starts looking at boats." H.R. Dobson

I don't know if I believe the part about "stops looking at women"... I still look at sunsets, plants and birds, and water - things I find beauty in - and yes, the female form is in that category. Maybe I haven't reached that age yet.

Yesterday, I put the boat in the river for the first time since having the patch welded. To my great relief, the floor stayed dry as a bone. The anchor drop, new oars and oarlocks all worked like a charm. At 54" across the beam, she is wide and roomy for a not-quite 12' boat. I think I'm going to like her.


Photo by Random Phrump: Medway River, Nova Scotia.

"It’s a small world, but I wouldn’t want to have to paint it." Steven Wright

The first time I put the boat in the river, I noticed a steady trickle seeping in from under the seat - right where that egg-sized glob of a patch had been applied. To make the best of a bad situation, I took my rod along, and headed for the mouth of Mink Trap Brook where Tim McKinnon usually catches some fine Brook Trout. The 2 HP Honda outboard started without too much trouble - even though it was the first time I'd had her out in 2 years. Managed to catch and release one 10 inch trout - not quite in the same category as Tim's lunkers. Now the boat must go to a man who will weld a patch on her. I think I'll take the wooden seats out and give them a coat of Benjamin Moore porch floor enamel while he's at it.

Photo by Random Phrump: Forteau, Labrador.

" When a thing is funny, search it for a hidden truth." - G.B. Shaw

One day when my dad was but a lad, his mum asked him to go to the store. This was in the aftermath of the Great Depression. A dime could get you a lot of things in those days - one of them was a quart of molasses. She put the coin into a clean milk bottle and sent him off to fetch her a quart of the grocer's finest.

At the store, the man behind the counter asked, "Sumpin' fer you, buster?"

Harold showed the note from his mother and placed the milk jug up on the counter. After filling the jar, the grocer demanded his payment. Harold said. "But, the dime was in the jar!"

The man held the jar over his head and, sure enough, there lay the dime beneath a quart of sticky, sweet molasses. He let my dad take the jug home, under promise to pay at the earliest convenience.

When Harold returned the next day with the dime, he overheard the man say, "See? I told you that boy would do the right thing."

I stopped in to see my Dad today - after my not-entirely-successful trip to the hardware store. He offered me an anchor drop, already made, for my new aluminum boat. It was one that he had built for his canoe, and it simply bolts on through the bow plate. Looks like it might be just the right thing... I'll let you know how it works.

Photo by Dave Dobson: October on the River Philip.

"He must be a thorough fool who can learn nothing from his own folly." - J.C. & A.W. Hare

When I pulled into the parking lot, the heavens opened and it began to pour rain. The man was waiting in his truck with his son - a boy of about eight. He opened a huge golf umbrella to give us some shelter while we transferred the boats. The boy ended up under the umbrella, watching as we untied my Zodiac from the roof rack, then his aluminum boat from the trailer.

Wait a minute! What is that? He hadn't mentioned the patch on the bottom - an egg-sized chunk of metal that had been melted into a gash. He swears it doesn't leak a drop. I probably should have turned tail right then and there, but I didn't and now I have the boat home in my garage.

I need to get some oars and oarlocks, a pulley and a piece of hardwood to make an anchor drop for the bow, then some stainless eyebolts for guides and a cleat to fasten the anchor line. That will make it safe for the river. Then we'll see if it leaks.

Photo by Drew Dobson: Western Brook, Newfoundland.

"Rivers are roads which move..." - Blaise Pascal

When my cousin, Lee, died suddenly, I inherited his 11' Zodiac. That was four years ago and I have used the boat about 4 times. Today, I am heading up the road to meet a man who wants to trade his 12' aluminum boat for a Zodiac. We will meet in a parking lot to exchange boats. I'll let you know how that works out.