Noise Problem

What should you do about excessive noise, my friend James asked me. This is a problem I’m particularly sensitive too as loud noises in any situation – out on the water or sitting at home – is my biggest pet peeve. When it comes to boats, excessive noise is usually caused by loose components or a faulty exhaust system.

Rattling noises almost always means that there are loose screws and bolts. Take a wrench and get to work tightening up loose connections. Look over the exhaust system and do some cleaning if necessary. Don’t forget to change out the Evinrude oil every so often to keep things clean and well lubricated.

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What to Do When the Engine Dies?

As I mentioned yesterday, my friend James has been asking me for some pointers on his quest to becoming a more knowledgeable boat owner. Recently he asked me what he should look for when the engine dies while driving. There are few things more irritating than being stranded out on the water, so I understood where he was coming from.

When you get back to shore, I told him, take a look at the fuel pump. If the engine is not receiving fuel, or not receiving an adequate amount of fuel, then the engine will fail to work. If the fuel pump is not the cause, then take a listen to the injector. A clicking noise means it’s working; silence means it’s not. Finally, check for kinks in the fuel line house and check the levels of Evinrude Johnson 2 stroke outboard oil.

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Helping Out a Friend

James, a good friend of mine, has decided that after years of relying on mechanics to fix every little problem on his boat, he is ready to become an expert himself. I applaud his efforts to become a more knowledgeable boat owner. Every week or so since he made his resolution, he’s come by to have a chat with me about different questions.

This week he asked me a lot of questions regarding troubleshooting an Evinrude E-Tec outboard motor. What, he asked me, should I look for when the engine won’t start. The number one culprit, I replied, is not enough oil or fuel. Take a look at both levels and refresh if necessary.

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When to Fish Great Smoky Mountains National Park

When is the best time catch trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The answer varies depending on the skill level of the fisherman. Trout can be caught throughout the year as the rivers and streams do not freeze over. Anglers with less experience are more likely to find success in the spring.

Experienced fisherman looking for a challenge should test out the waters during the cooler fall and winter months. If anything, making a catch during the difficult months should be more rewarding. I haven’t tested out this location, but perhaps next year I’ll give it a go after I prep my boat with Evinrude 2 cycle oil XD100 and explore Lake Fontana.

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Hazel Creek

If you’re willing to expend a bit of your bulk outboard motor oil, then you can ride across Lake Fontana to Hazel Creek. At one point, the area surrounding the creek was home to Cherokee and pioneer Appalachian communities which turned into logging towns. The area was not heavily populated, which made it easier to force out the locals in order to incorporate the land into the Great Smoky Mountains National park.

Today, Hazel Creek is now a back country campsite and historical area. Historical sites within the Hazel Creek area are: Calhoun house, Hall Cabin, Ritter Mill site, Adams-Westfeldt Mine site, Proctor Cemetery, and Bone Valley Cemetery. The Proctor Cemetery is of particular note because it is the site where the cabin of Moses and Patience Proctor, the first white settlers, stood.

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Fontana Lake

Fontana Lake borders the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake is also the northern border of the Nantahala National Forest. Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, but during the summer months the lake is about 17 miles long and perfect for boating activities.

In fact, Fontana Lake provides the only access (other than a grueling multi-day hike) to Hazel Creek, which is one of the most remote areas of Great Smoky Mountains National park. The lake is dotted with inlets, coves, and islands that are worthy of exploration. Labeled my locals as one of the most beautiful lakes in the southeast, Lake Fontana is home to walleye, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. It’s certainly worthy of using some of your bulk oil supply to explore.

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Fish Checklist

In perusing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website I came across a long list of native and non-native fish that are found in the waters running through the park. As mentioned previously, the park is known for its rainbow, brown, and brook trout (of which only the brook trout is considered native, meaning the species lived in the waters prior to European settlement). Other native species include logperch, gilt darter, olive darter, and tangerine darter fish.

TN snubnose darter, Swannanoa darter, wounded darter, and banded darter are also native (are you seeing the trend?). Among non-native species found are walleye, yellow perch, fathead minnow, and sunfish. I’m eager to visit the park to do some fly fishing for these many species, as well as take my boat out in the surrounding areas. First I need to get my shipment of bulk motor oil!

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Fly Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles two states, Tennessee and North Carolina, and has some of the country’s best streams for fly fishing. Brook trout are native to the waters and brown and rainbow trout were added later to the area and have thrived. Recent droughts have triggered tighter restrictions on fishing in the park, but it still a must-see for avid fishermen and women.

If you’re looking to capture trophy fish, then Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t for you. The fish in the park are smaller – having adapted to their environment – but it is the terrain and degree of difficulty in catching some of the more elusive species that makes the site such a big draw. Although you can fish from dry land, you should still bring your boat, and plenty of boat motor oil, to try out some of the waters in and around the park.

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Grayling, Michigan

Trout Unlimited, the biggest conservation organization, was founded in Grayling, Michigan. This top trout spot is also home to the Au Sable River, home of the largest mayfly in the world, the Hexagenia. The river runs straight through town, so it’s no wonder that the locals care so much.

Nearby is Manistee another river that is closer to a spring or creek. Fox and Two Hearted rivers are nearby as well. It’s easy to feel like a world class angler when you’re in Grayling and the surrounding areas. When you’re through fishing, I recommend cruising the waterways with your boat, provided it has plenty of the best outboard motor oil on the inside.

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State College, PA

State College, PA is best known for being home to Penn State, and more importantly, Penn State football. I’m no Penn State fan (they’re a rival to my alma mater when it comes to football recruitment), but they do have some impressive trout fishing. The spring fed streams are referred to as “limestoners” and are home to brown trout all year round.

Spring Creek is my favorite spot, although Little Juniata is pretty good, too. The Green Drake mayfly hatch is world renowned. State College is definitely on my list of places to travel to in the next few years. I just have to figure out how to get my outboard, amalie oil, and other necessities across the country at an affordable rate.

 

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Trout Town USA

Ok, so the next place on my list of top trout fishing locations isn’t actually named Trout Town USA. Given all the attention it gets for its trout fishing, Roscoe, NY might as well be renamed. The rivers that run down through the Catskill Mountains are teeming with trout.

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc flow through town and are storied throughout angling history. Nearby East and West branches of the Delaware River also offer incredible brown and rainbow trout fishing. I typically go for dry fly-fishing in these areas, but I know a few people who like to take their outboards out lubed up with 2 stroke oil.

 

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Missoula, Montana

Yes, number two on my list of best places for trout fishing is also in Montana. Would you expect anything less? Montana is Big Sky country, after all. Missoula is typically though of as a laid-back college town with a fishing addiction.

The bouldery Blackfoot and Bitteroot empty into the Clark Fork, which in turn has 300 miles of fishable water. I first discovered this waterway while following the Lewis and Clark trail on a summer vacation. I vowed to go back and fish there and the Missouri, that is also full of rainbow and brown trout. Neither location disappointed me, my boat and its 2 cycle oil.

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