How much did that fish cost?(Herm Sherwood-Sitts) How much did that fish cost?

Several years ago, my son and I bought a paddle boat for $50. After using it a few times we decided it was way too much work. Keep in mind that most good inventions, come from lazy people. We cut off the pedals, removed the paddle and inserted a used trolling motor ($50). Next we mounted some comfy seats ($20 apiece) and a fish finder ($150). Voila! We had us a bass boat.

Four years later we were confronted by a DEC officer.

“You got a motor on that boat boys, it has to be registered,” he said with a lawman’s smile.

It took three trips to the NYS Motor Vehicle Office, because they have never registered a customized paddle boat before.

So one day, I got to thinking. We have to pay to register the truck that pulls the utility trailer. We have to pay to register the utility trailer that carries the boat. Now we have to pay to register the boat because it has a trolling motor. If we use the boat at Bowman Lake State Park we have to pay a fee to them. This doesn’t even include my fishing pole and gear, not to mention my $29 fishing license. To top it off, we’re catch and release fishermen.

Sure hope I can catch a fish!

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