20081003853139A

The pilot have the floats removed for the season. He taxied the airplane doing an initial brake test to confirm they were operating properly. He then back taxied to the north end of the grass runway and performed a run-up. Realizing that the runway was a little rougher than he had expected, the pilot elected to make a high speed taxi test to see how the plane would handle. After doing this satisfactorily, he again taxied to the north end of the runway and started a short field takeoff. After releasing the brakes, the airplane seemed to accelerate normally. When the airplane crossed a slight high spot created by a culvert under the runway (aprox. 250 feet from the north end), it seemed to get light and stated to slide slightly to the left on the wet grass. The pilot applied more right aileron, then rudder and then some right brake. The pilot momentarily continued the takeoff roll, but was not confident that he would be able to stay on the centerline. At this point the pilot elected to pull the throttle to idle, applied brakes and shut off the mags. After slowing the airplane somewhat, the left wing contacted a tree and this pivoted the nose of the aircraft into the brush as it came to a stop approximately 600 feet from the north end of the runway.