What if this happened out on the Delta at dusk? Havasu?

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:33 pm

Found this while researching the library for Delta winter fishing, thought it would be a good read for those that haven't yet...

Accidental Hypothermia and Cold water Immersion.

By Curt Rollins

It has been a long and grueling week at the office and you and your fishing buddy have next week set aside as your yearly end of the tournament season trip to Trinity Lake. Itâ€™s November and the Smallmouth fall bite is on, crisp cool mornings and Indian summer afternoons. Anticipations are high as the ritual starts as in years past. The afternoon of the second Day while cranking points in the Papoose arm was a pleasant 72 degrees and sunny, in fact the weather has been stable all week and no major storms are forecasted. The both of you are fishing in short pants and light cotton shirts with a light blended jacket for the ride back to the marina where you have rented a cottage for your 3 day trek. The water temperature is 62 degrees and actually the both of you were hoping for a storm to jump start the reaction bite. Perhaps a storm would have helped.

The crank bait bite picked up at dusk with the smallmouth moving shallow, so the stars are out as you settle in for the half hour ride back to the marina squeezing out every last minute of ambient light, then some. The Life vest are on and the kill switch is applied when planning speed is reached, about 30 mph and wham, spin and the both of you are in the water. Apparently a â€œwidow makerâ€

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:20 am

They will eat each other then both die.

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 7:56 am

Excellent read Michael..Most of us don't put that much thought into our trips, we are just an accident away from peril..The really scary part is the accident isn't the biggest thing to fear..I wonder just how many are truly prepared..

mac

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:11 am

Well, I hope they have a lighter. Id use the trolling motor to get to the shoreline and get a rip roaring fire going. That would keep me alive until help could arrive.

bass smacker · Post by **bass smacker** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:37 pm

Steve wrote:Well, I hope they have a lighter. Id use the trolling motor to get to the shoreline and get a rip roaring fire going. That would keep me alive until help could arrive.

X2

BASSTUD · Post by **BASSTUD** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:17 pm

I used to keep an extra pair of longjohns,sport pants with the liner,sweatshirts,flannle jacket and wool socks in the boat when im winter fishing, after reading this im gonna put em back in the boat, cause ya just NEVER know.

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:57 pm

Well, if you're Justin Kerr, you'd climb into the rod locker (or so the story goes)!

Roger

BShafer · Post by **BShafer** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:00 pm

That was a good read with some serious things to consider. When your out on the water you have to be able to take care of yourself. I always have a plan for a good day on the water but plan B and C need to be in place for the bad trip.

I went through a trip that on July 23rd 1999 when I blew the motor on my boat on lake McClure up by Bagbe it is the coldest night I have ever spent. A camping trip lead to a day trip up to the lake to visit with the boat intow I had removed my cold wather gear a few weeks earlier and was only going out tell 830p I even promised my wife I'd be back by that time so in a T shirt shorts and flip flops I was off for a few hours of evening fishing that turned into an all night event.

I now carry my cold weather/Rain gear year round with an extra set of sweetpants and shirt with my seal skin socks that I dont use along with a space blanket. During the winter I carry a cold weather kit with hot packs and more space blankets.

I made a bad night even worse by not being prepared and don't plan on allowing that to happen again. Even though my wife and family knew where I was no one came out to help , my wife figured the bite was good and I wasn't coming back tell it died off and my Dad who had taught me better than that figured I was fine.

MIKE TREMONT · Post by **MIKE TREMONT** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:56 am

BShafer

I now carry my cold weather/Rain gear year round with an extra set of sweetpants and shirt with my seal skin socks that I dont use along with a space blanket. During the winter I carry a cold weather kit

X2

I have some survival food in there as well. It doesn't take up much room. You never know...