Morning of fun fishing ended in a tragic boat crash

[WB Staff]

Scott Dean's 21-foot bass boat sits at rest on the rocks after colliding with the Cedar Creek Reservoir dam on the morning of Dec. 12. The dam was reportedly shrouded by a thick blanket of fog when the accident occurred. Dean's fishing partner, Brady Winans, was ejected over the bow and into the grass above the rocks. He suffered two broken legs, a broken back, a broken clavicle and two busted ribs.

Life can change in an instant.

Just ask Brady Winans of Caddo Mills or Scott Dean of Terrell. Longtime friends and seasoned anglers with 70-plus years of boating experience between them, the two men were out for a casual morning of fun fishing on Dec. 12 that ended in a tragic boat crash before either angler got a chance to make the first cast.

In hindsight, Winans says their lives were forever altered by a rogue fog bank at the southern reaches of Cedar Creek Reservoir.

“I should have died in this deal, but I was spared for a reason,” Winans said from his hospital bed at UT Health in Tyler. “I’ve had a lot of time to myself over the last six weeks to think back and ask why. If nothing else, I hope to send a strong message to others: “Never underestimate the fog. Fog is like blindness. Whether you are going fishing or heading to work, if you encounter fog, do not underestimate it.”
Full Story at Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/other ... oat-crash/

[monte300]

Thanks for sharing your story, not always easy on the ego to admit. It blows me away when some guys run wide open in thick fog. I always respect fog.

[Captain Morgan]

Even on the rocks that’s a good looking boat!

[monte300]

Earl Bentz baby!

[Kelly Ripa]

WAS....It Was a good looking boat

[DonkeysOnly]

At the end of the day life’s too short to rush so take your time and enjoy fishing whether it tournament fishing or fun fishing!!! Sorry for the loss!!