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Captsized My boat today
Just FYI
Fishing out of a little 8' fiberglass boat. Most people had left. I on the far side of the lake alone. Slipped and lurched toward one end of the boat. it started to take on water. Scrambled toward back but too late. Front wouldn't come up and back started to take on water. Then it all happened so fast. Boat just flipped. I came out ok but with a battery hanging in the water and a heavy anchor....me holding on to the the trolling motor shaft now sticking straight up into the air....I could not make headway anywhere. Fortunately boat was totally upside down....but would not sink. I tried to sidestroke toward three reels floating and drifting away. Could not catch them and got out of breath. Two young boy's playing in a canoe saw me and came to my rescue. They retreived the three reels. By then Game & Fish could tell I was in trouble and came to my rescue. Some people said they saw me...and the situation looked a bit odd but I was so far away they could not tell I was in trouble. All turned out ok. Lost a battery, rod, reel, line, and vest stuffed full of fly boxes because I wasn't wearing it. I had one hip pouch full of gear attached to boat and got to keep it. Learned a whole lot. WEAR the life jacket in the boat. You cannot put it on after you are in the water. I got one arm through but holding on to the boat with one hand....the open life vest that buckles on in front...is floating away from me. I cannot get second arm in it. Point being you need to WEAR IT WHILE FISHING. Secondly carry a whistle. I had none. Up here everyone knows what the sound of a whistle means and you are usually too out of breath to yell very loud for help. Also, keep gear in a water tight floating container attached to boat. Not an Ice chest. A BAG that can be zippered and closed up. Friend thought he had one but they did not waterproof the zippers. So his bag still filled with water. Have a WATER PROOF BAG for all gear....not a tackle box. AND DON'T GO OUT FISHING ALONE! I got lucky. Very very lucky.
I would like to add that you should have at least 100' of nylon achor rope. I tried to side stroke and kick but could not go anywhere because not enough rope and couldn't get anchor up. I was STUCK where I was. If I had more rope....I probably could have ditched the waders and gotten close enough to the opposite shore to stand up in the water!
Furthermore I wore hip waders. That way I put them on at home...with my river wading felt soled shoes...and just go to the lake. I can slide my little 8' boat into the water....and walk out into the water.....put things in it....and get in and go. Don't have to have it beached. Well....the waders filled up with water when I went under. NO HIP WADERS ON A BOAT!!!
Next time I will just wear my felt soled shoes and go out in shorts or blue jeans....wet wade if you wanna call it that. But no more wearing hip waders on my boat.
By the way...you think no HIP waders......ABSOLUTELY NO CHEST WADERS!
Just FYI
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Glad to hear you are okay. Sorry you lost a few things, but at least you are safe.
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Glad to hear you are ok--Ill get myself a whistle. My chest deep water soaking was in march. The boat took on water as I fell over board. I was able to hange on the side of the boat. That night I bought a new inflatable life jacket that I now wear when Im in the boat. I just reached up turner on the electric trolling moter and went to shore. That water was cold. Two days later I got ready to go out again and my wife handed me a sack to take along. She had packed dry cloths in case Id go in again. BILL
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Gemrod, glad you got to share the story with us. An unfortunate adventure certainly but a good lesson for the rest of us.
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So glad to hear that you came out of this ok. Very scary experience I'm sure. Take care.
Dean
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Gem, my friend,
I'm giving thanks ....
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Attache the whistle to the vest (I have mine on the zipper) on a cord that allows it to easily reach your head while your head is tipped back.
Glad to hear you are okay.
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Wow! two close calls reported in one day (See Paddling).
Gemrod good to hear your OK. The advise on the Life Jacket can't be better expressed. I owe my life to a Life Jacket as well - you never know when the surprise will come and it happens faster than you care to think.
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Jim,
You promise me you'll ALWAYS wear the vest (life vest ... not so concerned about the fishing vest), and I'll replace all the flies you lost. GAWD!! You need a good woman to smack you around a bit!!!:rolleyes:
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Edited due to excess info about me.
You are right Betty. I do need a good woman to beat me with a bigger bat! I need a little tune up once in awhile to keep me in line.
And Panfisher...you are correct also. It all can happen soooooo quick.
Main point I wanted to do was put some boat safety in the limelight.