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We are all aware that the fishing season is upon us. We have all spent days, weeks if not months preparing for this time. Many of you have only the weekends to fish and the time is not enough to quell the anxieties that fill your every waking minute. This excitement is to be expected from even the novice fisherman that has ever caught one nice fish, but are we really prepared to harness all of that energy?
Being prepared with our boats, tackle and bait is definitely not enough. To be fully prepared we must also be mentally prepared. Not being fully mentally prepared can cause you hurt and damage, not only to body, but also your boat and equipment.
As many of you know that in a past life I was a state and federal wildlife officer and after that a deputy sheriff. I have observed and participated in, much of what most can only have nightmares about. I have observed many people that during their regular work day and life are very self conscience about their safety habits, all of a sudden toss all caution to the wind when they are participating in a recreational pursuit like fishing and boating.
In my time in law enforcement I assisted in pulling 30 bodies from the water. One year alone it was 13 bodies. This is what I would like to tell you about.
Every year there are always boating accidents. Most time there is alcohol involved. Operating a watercraft is no difference than driving a car and when you get several boat operators in an area that have been drinking you chances of having a fatal accident on the water greatly increases. In the case as far as this posting is concerned I want to stay pretty close to talking about accidents involving fisherman.
Some of the causes of drowning of fisherman I have observed are:
Not knowing the limitations of your boat or motor therefore overloading with people and/or equipment and going out onto a lake when it is too rough.
Trying to operate your boat in unfamiliar water, i.e., river or lake and hitting a rock, sandbar or submerged log.
Trying to operate your boat when the river is too high and with floating debris.
Getting caught out when a heavy fog comes rolling in and still trying to navigate when you can’t see properly.
And the number one reason for drowning of fisherman … standing up leaning over the railing trying to Pee …. That is right. This alone has taught me to take a can in the boat and use it and pour it over the side.
All of these things become even more important when you consider that many of us like to fish all night. Think about it …. You have worked all day Friday at your job and you run home, jump in your boat and try and fish all night. I know I have done so myself … You have slower reflexes and react more slowly. The worst part of the scenario is you may not be the only one on the river that night. You might have someone out there that has been drinking alcohol or fishing in the dark without the proper light requirement.
No matter how prepared we are if we are not prepared mentally to expect the worst, if it should happen, we may not survive to fish another day. It is my desrie that I don’t have to read about any of you being involved in any kind of boating accident. So be careful and be prepared. The life you safe, might be mine.
God Bless all and I hope for a very prosperous fishing year.
Garry-
Being prepared with our boats, tackle and bait is definitely not enough. To be fully prepared we must also be mentally prepared. Not being fully mentally prepared can cause you hurt and damage, not only to body, but also your boat and equipment.
As many of you know that in a past life I was a state and federal wildlife officer and after that a deputy sheriff. I have observed and participated in, much of what most can only have nightmares about. I have observed many people that during their regular work day and life are very self conscience about their safety habits, all of a sudden toss all caution to the wind when they are participating in a recreational pursuit like fishing and boating.
In my time in law enforcement I assisted in pulling 30 bodies from the water. One year alone it was 13 bodies. This is what I would like to tell you about.
Every year there are always boating accidents. Most time there is alcohol involved. Operating a watercraft is no difference than driving a car and when you get several boat operators in an area that have been drinking you chances of having a fatal accident on the water greatly increases. In the case as far as this posting is concerned I want to stay pretty close to talking about accidents involving fisherman.
Some of the causes of drowning of fisherman I have observed are:
Not knowing the limitations of your boat or motor therefore overloading with people and/or equipment and going out onto a lake when it is too rough.
Trying to operate your boat in unfamiliar water, i.e., river or lake and hitting a rock, sandbar or submerged log.
Trying to operate your boat when the river is too high and with floating debris.
Getting caught out when a heavy fog comes rolling in and still trying to navigate when you can’t see properly.
And the number one reason for drowning of fisherman … standing up leaning over the railing trying to Pee …. That is right. This alone has taught me to take a can in the boat and use it and pour it over the side.
All of these things become even more important when you consider that many of us like to fish all night. Think about it …. You have worked all day Friday at your job and you run home, jump in your boat and try and fish all night. I know I have done so myself … You have slower reflexes and react more slowly. The worst part of the scenario is you may not be the only one on the river that night. You might have someone out there that has been drinking alcohol or fishing in the dark without the proper light requirement.
No matter how prepared we are if we are not prepared mentally to expect the worst, if it should happen, we may not survive to fish another day. It is my desrie that I don’t have to read about any of you being involved in any kind of boating accident. So be careful and be prepared. The life you safe, might be mine.
God Bless all and I hope for a very prosperous fishing year.
Garry-
oooh: rollo
