Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Well, it has to get better from here for my Minnesota vacation! Scheduled to leave at 7 this morning, women finally let us leave at 8:18. First stop my daughter in the car behind called and no trailer lights. I forgot to plug them in. Drove through off and on rain most of the day and some real downpours. Lost an hour due to traffic jams in Minneapolis. On North, I almost ran out of gas (I put 21.4 gallon in a 22 gallon tank.) Stopped for bait/groceries/ licenses and I'm told there is an irregularity in my file and they cannot issue me a license after a 20 minute call to DNR. There are actually 3 files under my name and the computer can't pick one I have to call Monday morning after 9 to straightened it out! Tried to get my wife's license and the computer said she didn't exist. Insert your own joke here.

Go the rental house, and the gentle slope to the water the description touted is a 33 step staircase. My knees do NOT like stairs. Had to launch the pontoon at a neighboring resort, the only one on the lake, and it was so shallow I had a heck of a time getting it off the trailer. Tried to park in the provided pontoon lift and mine Is a little too wide- which I was wedged 18 inches in when I found this out. Wiggling back and forth finally freed me and I docked next to it.

Time to start unwinding and get poles ready. Grabbed my favorite bluegill rod, and proceeded to knock a guide loose. It now has duct tape holding it down. Pulled the next pole out, no reel, and no spare. That took me from 5 to 4, so I guess I'll survive.

Overall it was frustrating but at the end of the day, I'm still 500 miles away from work!

Hopefully fish pictures to follow. 🤞🤞🤞

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, Iowa Farmer, if you are like me, I would fish with a hoe handle with taped guides on it, if that's what was require after travelling that far. Just Sayin...RJS

RuffplayOR57 Loc: Klamath Falls, OR

Hang in there Iwoa, sounds to me like to me it Only get Better. Just plug on and make Me Correct

Jeremy Loc: America

I’m sure you could prove your wife does exist. Can show them red ears from getting yelled at. Have kids to prove she exists. Wow sounds like some real pains. I hope and think it will get better. Hopefully all the hassles are over and the rest of the time will be fun....fun...fun. Maybe a yard sale if not a retailer to buy some fishing gear.

John Mac Loc: Misouri

This sounds like some of my experiences!
It'll be a better day tomorrow and the fish will cooperate.
After all, you're on vacation and thats great!!!

Big John

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Iowa, you saw the positive in your situation, you’re 500 miles from work and things will certainly get much better. As far as the licenses go, I sell them all the time and many people don’t exist. If you have a sales person with a decent amount of knowledge there’s other ways to obtain a license on the computer system but they require giving out your ss# which some are reluctant to do.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Good mornin' Farmer. Definitely not the best start for a fishing vacation. I think all of the MN. lakes are down from lack of rain up here. I know the Miss. is down and the LoTW is down. OJ, how is Lake Mich.?
The best of luck to you and your family, Farmer, hang in there. Things will look better this morning. Man Lake is a good little lake, it will kick some fish out for you.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Well IAF, I hope it gets straightened out immediately on Monday morning and your Wife reappears 😉 Good luck and enjoy your time off!

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

If you're going to have headaches, might as well get it over with. Hate to have those spread out over a week.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

That's a rough start Farmer, but you hit the nail on the head, 500 miles from work! That's always a good place to be. I hope everything settles down and the weather and fish cooperate. Have fun, and send pictures!

(Personally, I don't know if I would have passed up on the opportunity to "disappear "the wife, but that's just me )

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

No place to go but up....good luck

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Your pictures will prove your endurance. Fish on!

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Robert, that is a fiberglass ultralight I bought from the $5 bin over 20 years ago, so it's no great loss. I've caught more fish with that pole than any other I've owned and just hate to retire it.

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Thanks Ruff, it WILL be a good week, I'm sure.

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa