Yeah, I know that the following would have been just a "laugh it off" thing for a young man, but being 65+ years old puts a different spin on things.
Fishing alone a few weeks ago, brisk air temp, cold water. Aboslutely no other boats in sight. Changing water in a borrowed minnow bucket. Dip outer part of bucket into the water, it slips from hand. As it starts to sink, make a grab at it, become overbalanced and go head first into the Tallapoosa River. It is cold!
As I plunge downward, one phrase keeps running through my mind - don't panic - don't panic - if you panic you are dead - you can easily swim to the top. At the top I see that boat has drifted about 12 feet away. Don't panic - you can easily swim to it. I had always wondered if I could swim in heavy wet clothes and leather boots. The answer is yes.
Had never thought about it until then, but a 65 year old guy, even one who has weight-trained for years, likely can't pull himself up into a fairly high - sided boat.
No problem. just hang on and let wind take you to the shore. Problem! Wind is blowing toward the middle of a quarter mile wide reservoir. Also start thinking about hypothermia. Must swim boat to the nearest bank. Thank God that the Boston Whaler Striper 15 has a hull that weighs only 500 pounds or so. Also thank God for all that weight training, I can get out of this. (Not until a couple of days later did it occur to me that I could have worked my way to the front of the boat, reached in far enough to grip the bow line, tied it off to the bow eye twice and made a stirrup to stand up on and get into the boat. Oh, well.))
Nearest bank turns out to be brush-covered, 10 feet deep at edge, and filled with deadfalls, no way to swim boat to bank. Heck , no way to swim me to bank.
Remember all the times I have seen big Cottonmouths along this bank. Have the thought that I am in no position to do anything about a snake, so must put snakes out of my thoughts.
Crawl up onto a fairly large tree trunk in the water, lying on right side on tree, holding boat with left arm. If I could stand up on trunk I could now step over into boat.
Problem. Tree is so covered with slippery moss and slime under water that I would almost surely slip off it, and the last thing I need right now is a broken leg. Manage to work way up the trunk, pulling boat with me, until I can get left lower leg over edge of boat. From here, it is possible to roll myself into the boat. Run boat to landing, sit in truck with heater on awhile ( and windows down enough to provide ventillation ) to somewhat dry out, load boat and go home.
Wife and family have for years worried about me fishing alone. I'm so glad I didn't drown, as I would never have heard the end of it.
Lessons:
The running internal dialog with myself was very helpful, and I think prevented me from panicking and taking stupid actions.
If you are an old fart trying to continue your outdoor activities, keep in shape! I have several friends nearing my age who, due to weight, lack of exercise and attendant health problems, would have died.
Be prepared! Yesterday bought myself a top of the line self-inflating vest, because I know that I will continue to fish alone and I will not for long wear a bulky conventional vest. In keeping with my belief that one should not scrimp on items on which one's life might depend, bought the top of the line Mustang vest.
Let the minnow bucket sink. You can always buy another one.
Fishing alone a few weeks ago, brisk air temp, cold water. Aboslutely no other boats in sight. Changing water in a borrowed minnow bucket. Dip outer part of bucket into the water, it slips from hand. As it starts to sink, make a grab at it, become overbalanced and go head first into the Tallapoosa River. It is cold!
As I plunge downward, one phrase keeps running through my mind - don't panic - don't panic - if you panic you are dead - you can easily swim to the top. At the top I see that boat has drifted about 12 feet away. Don't panic - you can easily swim to it. I had always wondered if I could swim in heavy wet clothes and leather boots. The answer is yes.
Had never thought about it until then, but a 65 year old guy, even one who has weight-trained for years, likely can't pull himself up into a fairly high - sided boat.
No problem. just hang on and let wind take you to the shore. Problem! Wind is blowing toward the middle of a quarter mile wide reservoir. Also start thinking about hypothermia. Must swim boat to the nearest bank. Thank God that the Boston Whaler Striper 15 has a hull that weighs only 500 pounds or so. Also thank God for all that weight training, I can get out of this. (Not until a couple of days later did it occur to me that I could have worked my way to the front of the boat, reached in far enough to grip the bow line, tied it off to the bow eye twice and made a stirrup to stand up on and get into the boat. Oh, well.))
Nearest bank turns out to be brush-covered, 10 feet deep at edge, and filled with deadfalls, no way to swim boat to bank. Heck , no way to swim me to bank.
Remember all the times I have seen big Cottonmouths along this bank. Have the thought that I am in no position to do anything about a snake, so must put snakes out of my thoughts.
Crawl up onto a fairly large tree trunk in the water, lying on right side on tree, holding boat with left arm. If I could stand up on trunk I could now step over into boat.
Problem. Tree is so covered with slippery moss and slime under water that I would almost surely slip off it, and the last thing I need right now is a broken leg. Manage to work way up the trunk, pulling boat with me, until I can get left lower leg over edge of boat. From here, it is possible to roll myself into the boat. Run boat to landing, sit in truck with heater on awhile ( and windows down enough to provide ventillation ) to somewhat dry out, load boat and go home.
Wife and family have for years worried about me fishing alone. I'm so glad I didn't drown, as I would never have heard the end of it.
Lessons:
The running internal dialog with myself was very helpful, and I think prevented me from panicking and taking stupid actions.
If you are an old fart trying to continue your outdoor activities, keep in shape! I have several friends nearing my age who, due to weight, lack of exercise and attendant health problems, would have died.
Be prepared! Yesterday bought myself a top of the line self-inflating vest, because I know that I will continue to fish alone and I will not for long wear a bulky conventional vest. In keeping with my belief that one should not scrimp on items on which one's life might depend, bought the top of the line Mustang vest.
Let the minnow bucket sink. You can always buy another one.
Glad you swum out of it:thumbup:
