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Location: Rochester, MN | Even though Im a bit emarrassed by this, I want to share this because I think it could maybe save a life someday.
I went fishing from 8am til 5pm today on the mississippi river. At or around 4:30 pm something happened to me that may indeed change me...forever.
I arrived at my final stop, a wingdam in a slough that is about a 1/4 mile down river from where I dock my boat. Caught a few eyes and decided to fish until I ran out of leeches. I saved my best leech for last a real jumbo sow 5 incher, the kind that you only can get in northern mn. So I cast that leech out and set the rod down while I walked to the front of the boat to stow away my gear before heading in.
With my back turned to the rod behind me I suddenly hear this clank and then a spaloosh. I turn around and see my very expensive and favorite rod(7 foot st.croix legend elite) in the water and heading downstream in a real hurry. I could just barely see the cork handle about a foot under water and thats about it. And it was a good 10 feet away from the boat already and in pretty strong current.
Without any hesitation, I take off running from the front of the boat plant my foot on the back of the boat near the transom and jump in (Im amazed I didnt trip on my LCG). As Im in the air my eyes are locked on that rod but I forget that I left on my expensive as heck prescription sunglasses. They go flying off and for a brief second I actually tried to swipe at those to save them. While swiping at the glasses, I feel them bounce off my hand and by then Im under water and as I come up I see the cork rod hadle and grab it. As quickly as I can I about face and head back upstream into the current with rod in my right hand and kicking and swimming with my left arm towards the boat. By now I realize that Ive got a good 20 feet to go and oh yeah that fish is pulling like hell! I could feel the head shake knowing I had a good one on. Maybe too good of one in this case.
I made upstream progress of about 10 or 15 feet when all of a sudden I wasnt going anywhere...except down. I started taking water in through my mouth and gasping for air. At one point I went back under. I don't know if the fish got hung up or the line got snagged but I could not move. I tried to secure that rod somehow so I could swim with both arms but I just couldnt do it. I was only about 5 feet from the boat but I could not move and was tiring fast. At that point I dropped the rod and let it go. Im remember thinking I aint going out like this and I have a 5 year old that I want to be around for.
That last 5 feet was hard even with two arms but I had no chance side stroking with one arm and eventually I did reach the boat. Once there I just hung on to the side of the boat gasping and looking around to see if anyone was around to even help me. Nobody was. I shimmied my way around to the front of the boat where I could get in the easiest. I barely had enough strength to pull myself in.
Without question I will miss that rod and will never know for sure what kind and size of fish stole my rod but I dont care. Im fortunate to be around this evening and not floating in the river. I dont know what I was thinking. You cannot believe how hard it is to swim against the current with one arm. And for a few seconds I wasnt sure if I was going to make it. I will never forget that. They say that when people are drowning they panic and flail about and I remember thinking, is this it?
Please dont underestimate the river current and if one of you ever go in without a jacket make sure you realize how deep it is, how fast the current is, and what or who else you have to hold on to while swimming back to safety.
Im alive tonight and very happy about it! 
Edited by hougie 7/19/2003 9:12 PM
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| Certainly nothing to be embarassed about because any one of us would have probably done the same thing. I know I would have. Thanks for the story.
That walleye is going to get big fast dragging a 7' St. Croix around. Kind of like those guys sprinting with parachutes behind them.
Careful out there guys. |
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Location: Malone, WI | I remember water sking on the river south of La Crosse many years ago. The first time I fell I couldn't beleive how far I drifted down river before the boat finally got me. It scared me even though I had the lift vest on.
I can't imagine how you felt. Glad you safe. |
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Location: Appleton, WI. 54915 | Glad to see ya made it back safely. You must be a pretty good swimmer to swim up river with a rod in one hand and the fish pulling you the other way. I can't imagine a person jumping in for a rod and reel and a fish and risk there life in river current. Doesn't make too much sense and sounds a little fishy. |
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Location: Chicago IL. | Losing a friend over a rod is not worth it to me. If that EVER happens again,let it go and call me. I will buy you another rod. But I got to say this , you, a guy that is on the river as much as you and not put it in a rod holder,deserves a kick in the butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All kidding aside ,I`m glad your ok buddy. There is a law in my boat,I dont care if you know how to swim,if you going to jump in you have to have a vest on. |
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Location: Rochester, MN | John you are right about the rod holder. Its just that this boat has limited rigging options and Ive been putting that off because Im trying to figure out how to mount it. But its no excuse. I just reacted and wasnt thinking about the consequences.
As for you outdoorstype. I think you're missing my intended point. My intention wasnt to make it sound like I did something special...quite the contrary. Im sorry if you took it that way. It all happened really fast.
When you do the side stroke you reach with one arm and right away I was able to use a little of my right arm because there was some slack in the line. It was akward because I had the rod in my right hand. (I cant believe Im re-explaining this) Once the line got tight it was pretty much over. And yes I could feel that fish. Were talking about a few feet here not the english channel.
The point was to share my experience with hopes that it could prevent an accident someday.
I knew somebody would react negatively it never fails. Oh well...
Edited by hougie 7/20/2003 8:50 AM
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Location: Menominee MI, In Da UP Eh? | Originally written by outdrsytype on 2003-07-20 1:05 AM
Glad to see ya made it back safely. You must be a pretty good swimmer to swim up river with a rod in one hand and the fish pulling you the other way. I can't imagine a person jumping in for a rod and reel and a fish and risk there life in river current. Doesn't make too much sense and sounds a little fishy.
First off, I'd like to say howdy to a new member, Howdy Outdrsytype. However, as a new member, you are gonna make friends real fast with a last sentance like that. Hougie is one of the most honest and reputable people I know, and is rather well liked by just about anyone who meets him.
People do strange things in a moments reaction. I know you are new here, but take a moment and consider your comments before you post, or you will end up, real unwelcome, real fast.
And Hougie.......all I can say is glad you learned a lesson today, and I am really glad you are here to tell us about it.
I learned a jumpin in type lesson a few autums ago, I'll tell ya about it sometime. But I learned then what you learned here, better to be embarrased than dead!
Have fun..........R
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Location: Appleton, WI. 54915 | I'm sorry that you were offended by my post. I did not mean anything negative about it. I was a competitive swimmer for about 15 years and know what the currents could do in a river channel when not wearing a life vest.I just did not think a rod & reel with a fish on the other end going the oppisite way could be worth the life of anybody. Jumping in for it would have just not have made any sense to me. Sorry for the confusion. |
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Location: Rhinelander | A friend of mine went into the water on Pelican after a big Muskie that went through the net, out over 30' of water. He was PADI certified, and was a very strong swimmer, but the water temp was WAY under the air temp, and he went down. His boat partner was in his 70's , and couldn't do a thing.
I still miss seeing him at the landing and comparing notes. I learned a lesson from that for sure; never enter the water without a flotation device on when in a boat and far from shore. Current makes the situation even more dangerous.
No rod, fish, or piece of equipment is worth the risk. Glad you made it back in the boat! |
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| I know how it is to see a rod go over. You don't even think twice, you just jump in. I had to do it this weekend after my favorite rod too. I am embarrased to say it was in a sheephead tournament!! |
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Very emotional story Hougie, and thanks for the heads up.
Your experience will help me remember to secure the rod before turning my back!
Edited by Rick Larson 7/22/2003 5:04 AM
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Member
Posts: 244
| Remember they make new rods every day.
but your one of a kind.
Next time let it go. Wine a little maybe even cry a little.
But the next day you can go buy anouther one, |
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| Wow, thanks for the story and thank the Lord you made it back in that boat. Pretty scary to think that we put our equipment on par with risking our lives isn't it? Two near tragedies in the walleye world in two weeks, it's getting to be like stock car racing! Be careful guys, remember, your families need you.
Rob Stratton |
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Location: Milw, WI | Woah!
Glad you made it back to the boat.
Now rig that rod holder before you buy the new rod. |
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| I went in when a friend was driving, hit a wave, and the boat capsized two years ago (we both had life vests on). We were on the main channel in May less than a half mile above the Alma dam. Hougie, I can relate... I simply will not go on the water without a life vest anymore...neither will my wife and kids. Yes, they are uncomfortable and hot at times, but we are all still here.
Pete |
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Location: Oshkosh | First of all, thanks God you came out alive!
A couple of observations/tips. Swimming with clothes on (shoes, shirt, heavier pants than swimwear) makes it at least twice as hard to tread water/swim as it does with regular swimwear. Add current to the mix, and I am amazed that you did indeed make it to your boat alive!
Lastly, here is a tip that I read once in a Mike McClellan book. He fell in the water once, and not being the most agile of fishermen, tried for a while to swing one leg over the gunnel, but to no avail. After ponding what a fool he was for falling in the water in the first place, he thought long and hard about how he was going to get back in. The lightbulb went on, and he stood on the anti-cavitaion plate of his Merc, hit the power trim button, and it hoisted him out of the water. I've never tried this, but I always keep it in the back of my mind in case the situation ever presents itself.
Mark |
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| Another factor that may be presented if you don't mind is, please, please, please don't drink and boat/swim, especially in the hours of darkness. I just lost my kid brother last Thursday for doing just that. It is just not worth it. There are alot of people that will never, ever see him or his big smile again. I'll miss you Tory, God bless you and keep you. I love you bro!
Lance |
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Location: Menominee MI, In Da UP Eh? | Originally written by outdrsytype on 2003-07-20 8:21 PM
I'm sorry that you were offended by my post. I did not mean anything negative about it. I was a competitive swimmer for about 15 years and know what the currents could do in a river channel when not wearing a life vest.I just did not think a rod & reel with a fish on the other end going the oppisite way could be worth the life of anybody. Jumping in for it would have just not have made any sense to me. Sorry for the confusion.
Howdy again,
I was not offended by your post, just lookin out for a friend. I see your point, but when you said it sounded fishy I took it to mean you thought the whole post was fishy, as in a tall tale. My fault for assuming. Thanks for the response though, I am glad to talk with you.
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Location: Menominee MI, In Da UP Eh? | Originally written by OrangeBarrel on 2003-07-21 7:51 PM
Another factor that may be presented if you don't mind is, please, please, please don't drink and boat/swim, especially in the hours of darkness. I just lost my kid brother last Thursday for doing just that. It is just not worth it. There are alot of people that will never, ever see him or his big smile again. I'll miss you Tory, God bless you and keep you. I love you bro!
Lance
Howdy Lance,
I am very sorry to hear that. We'll keep your Brother in our prayers.
Edited by Nofish 7/21/2003 11:42 PM
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Location: Rochester, MN | Orange Barrel, Im terribly sorry to hear of your loss and praise you for your strength to post that. God bless you and your family.
I also want to thank everyone for making me feel better about this. Lord knows its been on my mind a ton. I have not been out since and not sure when I will climb back on the horse.
The attatched recent photo is of my daughter, my strength and my last thoughts before deciding to make it to the boat were of her. Ironically this photo was taken from the same exact spot.
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| You can go fishing hougie, it certainly was a close call and anyone can understand your feelings, specially with the thoughts of your daughter.
But, as I will have learned from your experience, so should you. First, don't leave your best rod unattended, especially with a big fat juicy jumbo leech on the line, and second, don't jump in the water like that ever again.
It really is that simple and soon you will have overcome this scare. Besides, the sweet taste of walleye fillets will draw you back in the game! |
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Location: Chicago IL. | To Lance, one thing to remember is when god reaches down to take somebody he only takes angels. Sorry for your loss. Hougie nice pic,she look just like you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John |
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| Lance -
Sorry to here about your brother. I know where he was.....I hunt right there. I know where he is now. Take care.......look me up if your working in menasha. |
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