Flysmallie

First of all I would like to thank Webfreeman for getting me into this mess. I have always wanted to build a wooden canoe, but couldn't justify the time and cost of a woodstrip canoe when I know the waters that I would be taking it on. Webfreeman found me an alternative. He posted about some canoe plans that he had found and that got me to thinking about this all over again. The weekend after his post, I was going to St. Louis and saw 4 plywood canoes in the backs of 2 pickups. That did it for me right then. The past couple of weeks I have spent time on the internet, in the library and several bookstores trying to get an idea of what I'm getting myself into. I have no woodworking skills, actually I would say that I'm in the negative on woodworking skills, but this actually looks simple. Time consuming, but simple. I also spent a lot of time trying to decide on the style of boat that I wanted. I've looked at canoes, pirogues and kayaks. I finally decided on the canoe pictured below. A kayak was out because I need to be able to take my kids with me. I like the idea of the pirogue but don't feel that it's what I need to float our local streams. Here is a picture of the Pirogue 500 that I have decided to build instaed of the canoe.

Well since this is my first one I decided to go cheap on the wood. That way if I screw a sheet up it won't be so bad. I purchased 4 sheets of 1/4 Birch plywood from my favorite Lowe's location. It was 19.95 per sheet. I had a hard time deciding between the oak and the birch. But the birch was what I had originally wanted and was noticeably lighter. The only problem with the birch was the amount of filler in the sheets. I was able to dig through and find 2 good sheets, 1 okay and another deemed for the bottom. Of course this makes no difference if I decide to paint it. Still not sure what I want to do there. Really wanted a wood finish canoe, but I may paint this one and save the wood finish for the kayak plans I have been looking at. Plus it's a lot cheaper to paint.

And she will say "Yeah but it's a piece of crap, that guy is an idiot, don't do anything that he does".

Anything for you Terry. You get the plans and I will build it. I figure it will take 10 to 12 sheets of plywood and a couple gallons of elmer's glue (gosh that stuff tastes good). It's gonna be a little hard to get it up to the cable, but I'm sure with some gravel mining we can get it there. Might put a couple of potato guns on the front to shoot the shufflers with. Plus a few other guys I know.

So did you ever decide if you were going to try this. I was just wondering because I picked up the plywood for mine over the weekend. Probably start lofting the plans to the plywood tonight. Probably start a new topic on my boat after i take some pictures of my work tonight. That way you guys can all watch me self-destruct in my garage. Built a doghouse once, it wasn't pretty.

Great article as usual Terry. I have seen a lot of people waste a lot of time and days fishing the same old way. It worked last time so it should work today sort of thing. You have to be able and willing to adapt. A person not willing to adapt is the most frustrating thing to me.

I'm in. I love tying with foam. Now I just gotta decide what I want to tie.

I don't think he has to work this weekend. He was asking me about going fishing Saturday. I can't, you might give him a call if you go.

I drove past Hot Spot today and there was MrDucky's car. Stopped and talked for a little while. That boy has been working his butt off. Told me had had worked something like 90 hours this week. He was pretty frazzled but he will pull through. That's the problem with the business he is in, it's hard to get and keep good help. Either they won't show up to work or they are robbing you blind. I'm glad that's not my gig anymore. We gotta get him out fishing again. May have to slip him a little moonshine to boost his spirits.

Michael, put me down for the whole deal. I'll be in next week to pay my money. Sounds like a great time.

All you night guys are killing me. I have a honey do list a mile long and according to her I have been slacking for quite awhile. Also have a canoe building project in the planning stages. I got's no time. However, I might have to slip out in the middle of the night and hit Taney for a couple of hours tonight. I'm sure it will be a late night last minute decision, so who knows. If you hear a big splash that would be me.

What's a soda?

Well I would try it but my waders leak in the crotch area anyway. At least that's my story.

Add that one to the playlist.

I've drove by several times but his car is never there. He must be hiding from the horn.

What has happened to Mr & Mrs Ducky. Has anyone heard from them? Mr. Kyle?? He makes me call him Sir. Last time I was in there I forgot and called him Mikey and he slapped me with an 8wt. Mr. Kyle Sir, can you please save me a copy. I will be in the first part of next week to sign over my paycheck to you.

I'm voting with Gavin.

It doesn't really matter how you guys want to line them up, a smallmouth will eat every darn one of them!

Do you take trade ins???

Yeah, give me a call and we can get together and get it all worked out. You gotta quit working so hard.

Well it's good to see you are out there catching something. Did you ever get that painting figured out?

Wow, did you catch it next to that big blue boulder?? Wait....uh...nevermind.

I'm never leaving the house ever again for anywhere without a pine squirrel. I actually have about a dozen in my car right now. No rod, but I got pine squirrels. I also must add that if you guys are going to be fishing and drinking beer, you have to take me. It's a state law. Look it up.

I never hide any money from her I was brave enough on the trip to tell her about the rod that Michael made me buy. She actually took it pretty well. Of course I had her in a very nice restaurant, it was our anniversary, I gave her a nice gift, the kids were not with us, and several of those little fruity drinks didn't hurt either. One thing I will say about gas prices vs. going fishing. Gas prices will never stop me. When I was a kid in southern Oklahoma my parents didn't do as well as they do today. I guess you could say that we were very poor. I remember my dad paying for gas with change we dug up from around the house just so we could go fishing. That taught me that some things are way more important than money. My parents are doing very well at this time and my dad will spend whatever it costs to go fishing. I guess that is one trait that I did get from my dad. So if it gets up to $10 per gallon I'm still going. I may not eat, but I will fish. Besides have you seen the size of me lately? I could miss a few meals. Terry, if you ever need to go and don't want to pay for the gas, let me know. I'll take ya. Of course you will have to put up with me for the day. Not really sure if that would be considered a good deal or not??