Another lesson

We've been puttering around small lakes in our jon boat for a few years now, using a small marine battery pack from Canadian Tire. We bought a second as back up, never really intending to attempt to fish larger lakes or longer reaches of river with them. They served us well, but a spring trip to MB Parkland had us cursing the short lived power that kept us from exploring the entirety of the lakes there. That wasn't the first time that we'd had some limitations - some of the floats on the Red Deer R have seen a little more rowing than we care to admit. But, we've gotten by and there's never been a big impetus to replace the battery packs.
Until last night.

I was out on a local water, enjoying late night fishing. A few very nice trout were caught, I had the place to myself, and eagles, deer, and a series of waterfowl and songbirds kept me company. It was very pleasant. The fishing really came on strong. As dusk settled, I saw the silver edges of two huge thunderheads in the distance. But there was lots of time and the fish were turning on yet. I cast to a few risers as I made my way. Time passed and the thunderheads drew near. What was pitch black turned to daylight, streaks of lightning flashing the shoreline and trees to full daylight. Time to get going! About that time I was giggling to myself that only a week earlier a group of us were scathing the fellow in Ontario that was killed by lightning in a tube just 2 weeks ago. You never expect it to be you. I kept track of the lightning to thunder time. Most were over 10 seconds, but a few claps came 7 seconds. My electric motor slowed. I rowed. And I rowed. The claps drew down to 7 seconds avg. I knew I was pushing it. The motor was nearly dead when the lightning switched from mostly behind or from the side to a blinding fork bolt with nary a second delay to the clap.

And I was 200m from my car at 11:45 pm.  Bugga!

So, there I sat, in a stand of trees. Waiting. And I waited. The lightning was intense, wonderful to watch, a joy to be in. But, for the life of me, I couldn't fathom how much less I could have enjoyed the time than getting soaked under a tree 200m from my car, waiting until 12:45 before the lightning and small hail lifted so I could get off the water just as the second cell hit.

It's 8:20 on Saturday morning. I hear the stores open at 9. Guess where I'll be?  1000 amp deep cycle battery anyone?
It's amazing the things we don't worry about until forced to. Something so simple as running 2 battery packs should have been enough, and have been enough the 3 trips on the same water, simply weren't when needed. Just a reminder to us all to make sure that you have plenty more than enough of whatever you might need... because you might need just a little more some time.
Cheers!