Grant Ferris
Grey/Bruce Outdoors

We got back to the Lake Huron Fishing Club’s club's boat ramp at Baie de Dore at about 10:00 pm Saturday, and then the fun began. We were the second-last boat to head for the boat ramp and my son and I were both anxious to get home for some late supper and a hot drink. 

While Russell stood on the wall ready to throw me the bow rope, I backed my truck down the ramp and shoved a chunk of 4X4 under the left front wheel. My parking brake had not been trustworthy of late and that’s the reason I brought along a block of wood, just a little bit of insurance to prevent an incident.

Suddenly there was a big bang and splash as the truck popped out of park and jumped over the 4x4, rolling backwards down the ramp and into the water. It was quite a sight. The water level was over the tailgate of my 1987 Blazer and spare clothes from the truck were floating out into the boat launch area. I rushed around to the driver’s side but I had a hard time opening the sunken driver’s side door and then the truck rolled back even more. 
I was standing in cold water hip-deep trying to get in the driver’s door and the engine was still running. Maybe, just maybe, I could drive out and save the situation.

My old Blazer has been on more than a few fishing and hunting trips over the years and was overdue for retirement. Earlier, I mentioned to Russ that the engine sounded pretty bad and didn’t likely have long to live. Since I prefer to ride my motorcycle in the warmer months, I figured I would keep the truck until fall. just for towing the boat, and then make a decision. My wife has her own car, which she drives to work. 

Back on the lake, I put the truck in gear and pressed on the gas pedal but nothing happened except for a roar as the fan threw water against the inside of the hood. I sloshed out of the cab and lifted the hood, amazed at the sight of water halfway up the side of the engine and water spraying all over from the fan. Attempting to get my truck into four-wheel drive failed, so I waded back to the driver's door, slid behind the wheel and tried to move it again. It wouldn’t budge.

Just then the driver of the boat that came in behind us spoke up from over my shoulder: 
"I did the same thing last year, so I know what you’re going through," he said politely, "I have a four-wheel drive and a big towing strap, do you want some help?" 

What a stroke of luck! One in ten thousand anglers with a 40-foot towing sling, the only person with a vehicle for miles around and he’s there when I need him. Moving as quickly as I could after ten minutes immersion in the cold water, I forced the strap between the bumper and the truck body and passed the end back to the good Samaritan. He put his new truck into reverse and pulled my old Blazer up onto the ramp, as barrels of water cascaded out the door and the tailgate. He paused at just the right point to allow me to crank my boat onto the trailer and then, with the old Blazer’s engine coughing and me steering, he hauled the whole rig out of the water and well up on shore. As soon as it got level, the Blazer’s engine coughed to a halt as water took the place of gasoline… but the worst was over.

No one was hurt despite my stubborn refusal to scrap or fix that truck. I stripped off the soaking clothes and put on a floater suit while Russ called for a tow truck on his cellular phone. Assured that we could get home safely, our rescuer headed off for Formosa with his angling partner. He refused any reward except for some local fishing tips, which didn’t include how to launch a truck. 

An hour later I was cleaning our catch of salmon and reflecting on the good impression left by the two young men who had been behind us on the lake and helped us out. The driver was Doug Kuntz from Formosa, a very considerate person and an example of why our area has such a good name with foreign visitors. A helping hand from polite residents is never forgotten and can do as much to promote tourism as advertising.

As for me, I think I better shop for a new vehicle. I can’t imagine going without a fishing truck all summer and there is no way my motorcycle will pull that boat.