Thanks to everyone for your replies. I am 63 yrs old and definitely not in any shape to be swimming any distance at all. I will from this day forward wear a pfd anytime I am on the water. I had never thought about some to the situations you mentioned. I did go ffing today for about 45 minutes but I fished from the bank. Caught 5 lmb on a clouser minnow and one weighed appx 3.5 lbs. Lot of fun on a fast action 5wt. Thanks again for all your helpful advice. mathcarver