Wear it California!!! (Here's Why)

Hipster · Post by **Hipster** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:18 am

This morning about 6:45 am near light 49 on the San Jauqiun River my fishing partner and best friend Vic Hershberger (aka Flyin V) and I came across a Red Basscat floating with no persons aboard!!!

First instinct!!! that does not look right and there are four to five foot rollers everywhere let's check this out. Vic Slows down while I stand up to look for any bodies nearby, as we near the wayword boat I spot one floating body about a hundred yards from the boat. As we near the first floating person I spot another floating victom about 30 yards away!!! Both have Muststang PFD's that WORKED!!!!

We rescue the woman first she is shaken cold and wounded, she tells us that the the man/husband cannot swim and is hurt. We head towards the man, I reach out over the bow and grasp his hand, Vic works him towards the back of the Ranger to the boarding ladder, and with a weird calmness about us we just rescued two people from the graps of near death.

I get on the cell and call 911 as Vic heads for the wayword Basscat,
I get in touch with 911 support but the coverage goes in and out as we head to the boat. I do give my name and cell number to the rescue person on the phone, we loose connection again.

Vic gets us to the wayword Basscat and I board the boat and it started!!!! holy ****!!!, Vic heads to get the hurt victoms to Korth's Pirate lair's launch I follow in the victoms boat. While I am following in the basscat my cell rings it is med support calling me back. I calmly describe what has transpired and I am told medical support will meet us at Pirate's Lair.

What a day!!! my hopes and prayers go out to Mary and her husband as he seemed to have many broken bones. This couple was here from Nevada fishing a low key couples event out of B&W marina.

Wearing PFD Life vests saved the lives of these two today!!!

Vic and I are still a bit awe struck about what transpired saving a life is not a daily routine event!!!

Thanks Vic we done Good today, better than any 20 lb sack on any day!!!

By the way we did not ever get a line wet today, are work was done on the water.

I will never forget the look in the eyes of these two victoms as I/WE reached out to grasp them from the water!! Truely priceless!!

WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS AND USE THE KILL SWITCH, IT WORKS!!

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:27 am

Awesome message and a "hit home" reminder, IT, can happen at any time!

Great job and a big hearty, "YOU DA MAN!" to both Mark and Vic!

lobinaloca · Post by **lobinaloca** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:28 am

Good job guys, nice to read that people will still sacrifice their time on the water to check if others need help.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:31 am

You done Real Good. Glad to hear that they are doing OK.

DL · Post by DL » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:40 am

Thats good stuff right there. Glad you were in a position to help, and had the presence of mind to recognize an empty boat...

I'm sure there are numerous people that are thankful to you guys for helping.

kane-o · Post by **kane-o** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:51 am

INCREDIBLE story guys, you happened to be gods angels for the day. you said it well " your job on the water was done " kudos to you both for SAVING their lives, this will come back to you both in so many good ways... thank you both for CARING.... i was stranded about 2 miles and asked another boater for a tow, to the ramp, but he was too busy fishing, but the very next day i offered to tow some skiers who broke down... so good karma to the both of you and prayers to the ones you rescued..

kb · Post by kb » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:05 am

Great job Mark and Vic and glad those folks were wearing those jackets......we still see too many folks fun fishing down there without them on and anything can happen!!!

Kent

Hardshell · Post by **Hardshell** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:10 am

You are both HEROS!

Hardshell

whazup · Post by **whazup** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:15 am

Great story! Still some good people out there. Must be an incredible feeling to know you saved a life. I am sure the families and friends of this couple would love to shake your hands. Good job!!!

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:45 am

Well done, it always feels good to do the right thing.
Rich

Andy Giannini · Post by **Andy Giannini** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:52 am

Awesome!

I wish there was some kind of high five or bear hug emoticon!

A.G.

f350mudder · Post by **f350mudder** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:05 am

Great job guys,its always good to know there are still great people out here.

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:18 am

Great job on keeping an eye out guys.

Had they not been in a tourney would they both be wearing the PFD? Doubt it.

I try to use it all the time, if going on plane for sure, and if tough conditions - all the time. The automatic inflation ones disappear, it seems, once on as they are so small/thin. Love 'em.

fish_food · Post by **fish_food** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:29 am

Good job--they were very lucky you guys came along and were able to assist!

How did they get ejected?

Sinjin Kim · Post by **Sinjin Kim** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:38 am

Bravo Zulu to you fine gentlemen! That is an incredible story with a very fitting moral... wear your PFD! AND maintain them properly so they work when it is most important... when your life is on the line!

stickbait · Post by **stickbait** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:42 am

Hardshell wrote:You are both HEROS!

Hardshell

What Steve said !!

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:58 am

stickbait wrote:
Hardshell wrote:You are both HEROS!

Hardshell
What Steve said !!

+2 Great job guys!!

Topwater Terry · Post by **Topwater Terry** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 11:00 am

Never thought I would compliment a Giants fan lol, seriously, you are a hero to many people for doing this, you guys should be commended, what comes around goes around. I know this will make good things happen for you as well, Karma for sure!

BuckSnort · Post by **BuckSnort** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 11:28 am

Good Job fella's... it's a great feeling when you save a life....

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:26 pm

Good job fellas!

GreatBasinBasser · Post by **GreatBasinBasser** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:45 pm

Hello Hipster,
This is members of the Great Basin Bassers from Reno. You have our heartfelt thanks for saving two people who are very special to us. We can not thank you enough for your foresight and calmness in assessing the situation and doing what was required. You and your partner showed the true spirit of the Bass Fishing community.

Both Mary and Toni are in the Lodi Hospital. Mary has 8 fractured ribs and Toni has a fractured pelvis. With out your swift action, life jackets and kill switch they would not have survived this.

Again you have our heartfelt thanks!
The Great Basin Bassers

Flippinjigs · Post by **Flippinjigs** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:54 pm

Cool that you saved those folks. Damm good stuff guys!!!

When I left three mile slough bridge this morning it was blown real good coming around Decker Island up the Sacramento River and into three mile slough. I was listening to the weather conditions on the VHF radio last night and the wave action on the river wasn't good. I was thinking as I walked off the bridge to go home at 0600 after Ultimate Bass with Kent & Justin; I'm glade I'm not out there today.

Light 49 is about where the Mokelumne River and potato slough come together into the San Joaquin River (a large wide open area and alot of moving water) if I remember correctly. It can get really rough through there due to the tide and high winds pushing against the tide blowing all the way up the river with very little breaks (pretty much a clear shot for the wind). You got to be careful everyone. We have all heard what can and has happened.

Be Careful out there
&
Good Fishin

Guy Williams · Post by **Guy Williams** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:04 pm

Great job boy's!!!
Guy Williams

leachman90 · Post by **leachman90** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:21 pm

WAY TO GO MARK AND VIC! NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IT!! Awesome how he LORD works. You to were angles today as far as I am concerned.

Jim V. · Post by **Jim V.** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:12 pm

Nicely done!

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:33 pm

Great work, gentlemen. PFDs and alert anglers save lives again. Eight fractured ribs and a fractured pelvis? No way they would've gotten back in the boat without your help. You are heroes for sure.

Terry

dbbasser · Post by **dbbasser** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:02 pm

Great job guys, the outcome was a good one.

DB

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:09 pm

Nice work guys.... kudos amigos

JT-Madera · Post by **JT-Madera** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:12 pm

you guys are my hero's

JT

DDawg · Post by **DDawg** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:25 pm

Mike wrote:
stickbait wrote:
Hardshell wrote:You are both HEROS!

Hardshell
What Steve said !!
+2 Great job guys!!

+3!
Great job my friends!

Garrettt · Post by **Garrettt** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:44 pm

awesome work guys!!! zippped and clipped!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good job

Garrett

Long Nguyen · Post by **Long Nguyen** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:00 pm

Heros for sure. You guys deserve the highest accolades.

Good job gents.

keithcant · Post by **keithcant** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:19 pm

IF YOUSTOPPED FISHING TODAY ---YOU WOULD HAVE A TRULY SATISFYING 'CAREER'!

A TRUE SUCCESS STORY.

Buzzbommer · Post by **Buzzbommer** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 11:33 pm

What an awesome story with a truly blessed outcome...

You guys are top notch and deserve nothing but the highest of respect from everyone. I hope you're around when my luck goes south...!!! PFD's aren't a joke as you guys proved.

Big up's to you HERO'S and my prayers for a quick and hopefully painless recovery to the victims involved. I hope they both return to the sport they love and we all wecome them back with high regards. ChrisR

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:41 am

GREAT JOB Mark and Vic!!!! Very fortunate that you guys were paying attention and cared to get involved, rather than just shrugging it off and continuing on.

Awesome story - thanks for sharing! Hope all is well with you and Allie.

Roger

Jeff Jewell · Post by **Jeff Jewell** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:50 am

Great Job...That's the best catch right there....

TAu · Post by **TAu** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:20 am

Good Job guys!

Hipster · Post by **Hipster** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 1:38 pm

All,

The main thing is that Mary and Toni are alive and no one lost a life out there, it was ugly!!!

Thanks for the kudo's Vic and I just did what came natural, any
one of you would have done the same!! Weird, freaky, gut kinda WOW the last couple of days YEA.

Vic wanted to tell you all thanks. For some reason he can't login to westernbass.com

Gumpa · Post by **Gumpa** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 10:01 pm

Nice work fella's! The feeling you have now will not compare to when they are fully recovered and personally thank you along with there family.

I can relate but thats another story! Kudo's!!!!

BS'r · Post by **BS'r** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:56 am

Great job and good message.

Caudawg · Post by **Caudawg** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:14 am

Great job Vic and Marc!! Way to stay alert and make great decisions!!!

Sidenote: this is yet another wake up call to those of you who think you are invincible!!! Wear those PFD's!!!! You never know when things can go horribly wrong!

DPetty · Post by **DPetty** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:59 am

Nice work guys. Good things come to good people.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:04 am

Way to go Hipster and Vic!! Hipster PM me Vic's info and I will get him up and runnin!!

Kevin Evans - Kap · Post by **Kevin Evans - Kap** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:13 am

Damn good job there guys... Kudos are well deserved for sure....
I bet the adrenalin was flowing...

Kap

Oldschool · Post by **Oldschool** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:31 am

Saved two lives with your quick thinking and action, you are both heros. How many other boat passed without stopping???, only the survivors know and they will thank you.
Great story with a good ending, thank you for sharing and reminding us all to wear our "life Jackets".
Tom