10-02-2011, 02:59 AM
So, this was BY FAR the worst duck opener I have ever had. Got set up about 5 PM fo a nice couple hour evening hunt. There was water skiers and tubers everywhere. They were buzzing my decoys, throwing a wake that was destroying my setup of my boat in the reeds. As if that wasn't bad enough, a small boat with three guys in it (appeared to be a father driving with two kids) goes literally threw my decoys at a very high rate of speed, guns drawn... I am guessing they thought they were real ducks and going to jump shoot them with the boat. Anyways... just remember those guys (I hope they are not BFT members, but if they are... got some great karma coming). Well, a wall heavy rain started heading in from the south. I decided to just call it an evening around 6, since I couldn't see through it and only have a 14' aluminum boat. The storm got there much faster than I thought it would, I just get out of the reeds and feel some rain and the wind is starting to blow. I make a decision that is a first for me, I am going to get the hell out of there and jet back to the harbor. I was going to either wait it out in the marina, or return for my decoys tomorrow morning. Well, I get a little over half way back to the boat harbor and I am in much calmer water and the rain had stopped. I look back, and as fast as it came, the storm had passed over the lake. So, I head back to grab my decoys and head home. I get about 50 yards from my spread and my motor dies. I tried multiple times to get it restarted, but it would kick on for maybe 5 seconds and die again. Needless to say, of course the wind kicks right back up... white caps galore. I am being pushed into the reeds, and throwing my anchor out as far as I can and pulling myself out into the lake. The silty bottom of utah lake is not the greatest for this tactic. Well, while I am out in the open, the boat of 3 guys comes back by while I am throwing my anchor and there are some pretty good waves hitting me. Not only did they not slow down or see if I needed any help, the front passenger (oldest kid) yells something to the tune of "have fun with that". I could not believe some people would be so ignorant. So, my night ended with having to call the park ranger from provo to come save my butt. When I called him I was about 30-40 feet pushed into the phrag, and it was a beast trying to get out. Finally, the wind let up a little (nice waves, but not white caps) and I was able to use my anchor technique to get out into open water. Then, my motor started for a minute and I was able to get out about 100 yards. Just as I was about to call the ranger back, it died again. So, I used my throwing of the anchor to get to my dozen or so decoys left out there. And, just as I picked up the last one, I saw him heading my way. The only good news I have from this is that I am safely home, and my boat, decoys, and dog are here as well. The ranger told me that if I was still in the phrag when he got there, that I would have to leave the boat, get out and come to him. Apparently his boat would not do well getting in there to get me. So, I was towed back to the boat harbor by the nice park ranger who came all the way from provo to get my and take me back to lindon. As for those hunter who blew by me... your day will come (karma).
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