Well, it's Saturday night and almost suppertime here at the Lodge. The Head Chef and her two capable assistants have been busy all afternoon preparing what can only be described a Silverhorn Mountain Special. Meatballs and sauce over rice. I am not sure why it takes all afternoon to make, as it appears quite straightforward, but I assume that is because they want it prepared to perfection for me. Thank you Ladies. I am sure you are wondering why we aren't eating fish, this being a fishing lodge, but c'mon you can only eat so much fish and venison.
Just got off the phone with a friend of mine who owns a small somewhat rundown lodge close to the Silverhorn. We were discussing, among other things, outboard motors. Now there is a topic suitable for a blog called 'The View From Silverhorn Mountain' Boats and outboard motors are the lifeblood of a sporting lodge.
My friend, who for the purposes of this article, I will call 'Sparky' was the victim of a robbery late last summer which cost him several outboard motors. Now, admittedly, the motors he had were kind of slow....but they suited him, and they were his....and the theft was proof positive that no matter what you have, someone else always wants it.
It's not all about the money either, it goes much deeper than that. A man grows close to a dependable outboard motor over the years and losing one is like losing an old friend. Losing three is a whole family. An outboard motor that starts easy and runs steady can be a lifesaver, and the source of endless hours of enjoyment. Especially compared to one that doesn't. That is why, those of us with outboards don't like to trade them in or buy new ones. We develop a bond with our motors, we know how they run, how they think, and what they will do. If you own a good one you know what I mean. If you own a bad one you know what I mean as well. When you catch a big fish, who is always there to see it? your outboard, when you fall overboard, who can you climb on to get back in the boat? your outboard, and when you are racing some other sumbitch to the best fishing spot, who can you count on? your outboard, and when the lake turns ugly and the wind and rain come up, who get's you home quickly without complaint, yup, you got it.....your outboard.
Of course, when they breakdown it is an equally heart breaking experience, like being let down by your best girlfriend , (you know, the one that likes sex and fishing and can cook). Yup, when your motor lets you down it is a depressing, disappointing feeling. And like all stories of love gone bad, not easy to forget. I've known men who become obsessed with fixing it, alternating between tearing parts off and just sitting there in the stern of their boat, staring at the motor and then off into space.
When they are stolen, a fisherman feels so many emotions, not the least of which are despair, and loneliness. To be snatched suddenly away from you in the prime of life, without warning, not even a chance to say good bye. It is so difficult to find closure. I recommend counselling.
The night Sparky lost his motors, one of the many spacious, comfortable outbuildings (ok it's a shed) at Silverhorn was also breached. Thankfully nothing was taken. It was in such a mess at the time of the break-in that the investigating police officer, upon looking inside, said, "Geez they really ransacked this place, almost looks like a personal vendetta."
My father, not willing to admit his son keeps a messy shed, replied, "Yeah.....did they ever..."
I was spared this time Sparky, but I feel your pain Buddy...I feel your pain.
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