I moved to Nashville about 3 years ago. It quickly became apparent that some kind of watercraft would be necessary to effectively fish around here. I had always wanted a canoe, so I figured that would be a good place to start. I was right. My search for a boat began at Dick's and Bass Pro to check out different models of canoes. I quickly narrowed it down to the one I really liked - a 14' Rogue River. Then I began searching Craigslist daily until one came up for sale. After a couple months, a guy down in Leipers Fork put one up that was a good deal. I bought it that afternoon. Over the course of the last 2 years, this boat, which I have named Sweet Pea, has been a valuable fishing craft for me and those I fish with. In short, it gets me to the fish. However, the more I used it, the more I realized that some modifications were necessary to make it an even more effective fishing canoe. Here are the steps I took to customize my canoe for fishing middle TN. I'll be the first to admit, there are no crazy fabrications here, but these simple modifications have made my canoe really awesome!
Sweet Pea's Maiden Voyage - she's been fishing Musky from the start.
Front seat had a crack, so it needed to be replaced. A call to Old Town and one was on the way.
Little crack was the tip of the iceberg, glad I ripped this out.
What's that about cutting once and measuring twice? I guess just because it came from the factory with drill marks, doesn't mean they will match my canoe. Oh well, a little character.
New bow seat installed
Foam patches, bow and stern, for fly storage/drying. Simple but useful.
I really wanted to put oars on this boat. The oars that came with my pontoon will work, but they needed some modification. They were about 20" to long. They come apart and if I removed the section with the sleeve and oarstoppers, they would be the perfect length. I still needed those parts, so out came the Dremel and the new shorter oars were formed.
Old section
Such a useful tool!
Removing the part I need
Perfect fit
New section, just right
Time to mount the oar locks. I hope this stray has found a new home.
Terrapin Wake-N-Bake Stout, it was 11:45AM. Appropriate, I think so.
Yup, I think they are going to work.
I added an anchor bracket and made up some different weights for chains.
This morning, I added the last mod. I took a 10' 2" piece of PVC and cut it to be a fly rod holder. It will hold two rods facing against each other just right. This will make them much safer in the canoe.
Well, that is about it. I think all the changes have made a great small to medium river fishing craft. I case you were wondering where the name came from. "Sweet Pea" is short for Sweetwater Pilar, an homage to Hemingway and the water I fish. I may look into putting in seats, but for now I am finished -just in time for the 2013 Smallie season, brown bass and muskies watch out! Sweet Pea is coming for you!!!
