Patrick doesn't like Boots, the Border Collie. Pat can't swim and won't try, not since a Black Lab jumped on him in the water, almost drowning him. Stephen, his older brother, persuades him to go up Trouble Creek with him to a great swimming hole. Stephen ends up in the water and Boots jumps in after. His leash gets tangled up in the branches of a dead tree and the two struggle to stay afloat. It's up to Pat to learn to swim and try to save the dog he doesn't like. With ducks, a beaver dam, deep water and a frisky border collie, Pat is sure to get into deep trouble in Trouble Creek.