Montana Woods N Water May 2016 Print Edition | Page 8

PLAY TIME

Spring Has Sprung by Alan Clarke
It’s baaaaack! Wait, what’s back? Longer, warmer days? Freshly worked fields, and weeds? Nah! When I think of spring, I think of starting
new: New wild flowers, fresh cleansing rain, and baby critters running around in the forest. But beyond all of those things what do I mean
when I say “It’s back”?
STARTING A NEW FISHING SEASON!!!
Fishing is an important family function for us. So important to some of us as a matter of fact that a few weeks back I had my oldest daughter
(18) at work with me before she went to work, and I left the poor baby alone…in my office. When I got back to my desk, I had sticky notes on
my computer screen saying: “Take Brenna Fishing! #1 priority. Or she’ll die and nobody wants

that. Cuz I’ll haunt you!”
Nothing says c’mon Dad than a note like that. We did go fishing that weekend, but it was a little too cold. We didn’t
get a single nibble. All my kid’s said was, “The elusive Monster Bass evaded us again!”…in their best Bear Grills
accent of course. Crazy kids.
This also means it is time for dusting off the ATV’s and our camping gear because let’s face it nothing goes better
with family and fishing than camping and riding. This year we are going to use the Polaris ACE to get to our favorite
spots for all of these activities. With the ACE’s roll cage and seat belt, I don’t have to worry as much about it rolling
over on me if I get into a tricky situation. The ACE also comes with Polaris AWD, and comes standard with a 1.25”
receiver and has towing capabilities of 1500lb. This means I can use the bed to haul gear and put a trailer behind to
hold the tents, food, and luggage. There is the option of a 32HP economy model, 45HP all around machine, or a
60HP beast. A common misconception when you see the ACE is that it must be a dune machine, or that it is a sport
model like a RZR. I assure you; even the 900cc/60HP model is a 4-wheel ATV, just like your Sportsman. The difference is that it has a roll cage,
high back bucket seat, seat belt,
steering wheel, available doors, and
can be completely enclosed. You can
even put a winch and plow on the front
of it. The ACE is an ATV that you sit in…
NOT on. ACE is especially nice if you
have back, or hip problems, as you no
longer have to straddle a seat. Also, if
you have shoulder issues or arthritis in
your hands, you get to use a steering
wheel…and even available electronic
power steering for more ease. The
Polaris ACE is one of the best ATV’s to
hit the ground.
As you are preparing to head out, make
sure you check all of your gear. Last
years’ battery might be a weak. Last
years’ worms definitely won’t work!
You should check your oil and the last
time your machine was serviced. How’s
the air pressure and condition of your
tires? Did you refill the first aid kit from
when you hooked yourself in the rear
last fall? Make sure you have fresh, premium, non-Ethanol gas in your machine.
Better yet, you may need to change the line on your reel, or talk the wife into you getting a whole new rod and reel…and if you’re lucky a
new ATV too.
Other Reminders...
In any event, you should be prepared for anything Montana can throw at you. Spring has probably the most volatile of weather conditions.
We have beautiful sunny days sometimes into the 70’s and 80’s, but it is still frigid at night. Last Friday we even had a great thunder storm
that rolled through. It is common to be in snow in the higher elevations, and you can get snow off and on in the valleys too. Heck, the other
day we got 4 inches on the valley floor before 9am. They closed Hwy 93 in sections and cars were all over and off the road. However, on my
way home at 6pm it was all gone. Continued on page 16.
6