Page 162 - Louisiana Loop (manuscript Edition)

It was odd when I stood on the banks of the island looking south down the Mississippi River to the bend that headed
east. I saw a small flat object far out bobbing in the water quite some distance away trying to make progress in the chop
of the current, wind and adverse water conditions today had brought.

Many tows had gone by the near side channel I stood on the shore next to, a lot of Ocean Trawlers had gone on the far
side . The daily power skiff had already gone by with it’s considerable wake, I stood observing the waters as I had a
habit of doing watching the confluence of what appeared to be the surface waters wanting to head upriver, the
undercurrent heading downriver, the island causing a washboard outside the tip of the island and the churning from wind
and passing boats made todays water read severe for anyone caught out there in the river.
So I watched the craft too far out to really see with some general interest as I sipped my coffee.

As I watched my sight and the boat seemed to come into focus and I saw what looked like a guy going fishing in any
normal movie one might have watched and his boat was what most knew as a jon boat or Johnboat but I called a row
boat and what did I know?

As he appeared far out in the channel to go by he suddenly turned
and seemed to make his way towards me and this side of the island.

Still far out I noticed he had a dog…….

A jon boat (or johnboat[1]) is a flat-bottomed
boat constructed of aluminum, fiberglass, or wood with one,
two, or three bench seats. They are suitable for fishing and hunting.
The hull of a jon boat is nearly flat, therefore it tends to ride over the waves rather than cut through them as a V-hull
might, thus limiting the use of the boat to calmer waters.

Jon boats typically have a transom onto which an outboard motor can be mounted. They are simple and easy to maintain,
and inexpensive with many options to upgrade. Typical options might include live wells/bait wells, side or center
consoles, factory installed decks and floors, electrical wiring, accessory pads/mountings, casting and poling platforms.

Jon boats are available commercially between 8 and 24 feet (2.4 and 7.3 m) long and 32 to 60 inches (81 to 152 cm)
wide, though custom sizes may be found. The simple design includes an open hull, without a bilge, leaving the ribs
exposed. Many individuals choose to cover the ribs, producing a flat, level surface. (courtesy Wikipedia)