Signs of Spring

Spring isn't here yet but the signs are all pointing in that direction. Working close to the river I get to experience some of the early signs daily. First is the sea gulls, they're rooking up or whatever it's call to start mating. Circling in large balls of avian mass screeching in their own special way to attract a mate. Today I saw a lone worm trying to cross a sidewalk. Now with the warmer days the smell of the river is wafting up. This is a mixture of fresh to gamy fish mixed in with a mild aroma of rotting seaweed. It's sweet ambrosia for anyone yearning to have a walleye attach to the end of their fishing line. Which leads to another sign of spring.
Two friends decided to chase some walleye like they have each winter for the last 50 years. They were fishing the Thames River just outside of Tilbury Canada. Jim is in his 70s over 6 feet tall and over 300lbs. Ray is in his 80s and a regular outdoor person. The pair was fishing out of Jim’s rowboat. About 14 foot but very rounded bottom vs a flat. The two would always communicate when they were to change positions. Well this time they didn’t and both did something at the same time and neither knows what. Ray said he was sitting there one second and the next second he was under water and as he looked up saw the outline of the boat. He said he kicked like hell and popped up next to the boat. Jim was also in the water and hanging onto the boat. Jim somehow managed to not get wet from his shoulder up. Mind you these guys were dressed for ice fishing, Sorel pack boots, insulated coveralls, long underwear, and another layer or two of warm clothes.

The boat was totally filled with water. An oar was floating along with a life jacket. Ray was able to reach both but does not recall if he let the boat go to get to the oar. He said it was a long reach though.
Ray tried to climb in but the boat would rock and he couldn’t do it. He worked his way to the back of the boat and with Jim keeping it steady Ray was finally able to pull himself inside the submerged boat. Jim then tried to get back inside the boat but was unable. Ray was not able to get him in so decided to row to shore. He placed both oars in the locks but one kept floating back out. Jim still in the water and hanging onto the stern of the boat moved and this raised that side of the boat enough to keep the oar in. Ray placed the only remaining life jacket so Jim could reach it. The other life jacket had already floated away. Ray said he didn’t even know how Jim would have gotten it on if needed. Ray started to row the boat to the closest side but it was not the side they were parked on. Jim told him he was going the wrong way. Ray told him to just hang on and that he was going the right way. Jim asked Ray if he ever rowed a sunken boat before Ray said he kept Jim talking to see if his speech was getting slurred. It didn’t and Jim said he was not cold and neither was Ray. As Ray rowed he said two cars drove by on shore but must not have seen them. They finally got the boat touching shore but Jim could not reach bottom. Ray positioned the boat to where Jim could touch and he climbed up and out. They had to reposition the sunken but still floating boat so he could get out.

The two then tried to get as much of the boat out of water. Jim removed the plug in the back and after a while most of the water was out. They got back in the boat and this time Jim rowed. They had to first hug the shore to stay out of the wind and go upstream. After they went up they then crossed the river to where they were parked. They beached the boat and went for Jim’s van. Inside they removed some of the wet clothes and headed for Jim’s house. At Jim’s house they both put on dry clothes and returned to the boat to get the rest of the water and gear out of it. At this time they both started shaking but neither felt cold. They were either too numb to realize they were cold or just in shock the whole ordeal didn’t take more the ten minutes. I bet it had to be at least double and maybe triple what he thought.

They were both very lucky! They are lucky neither suffered a heart attack from the incident. They don’t know how but both fishing poles were still in the boat. Lost one life jacket, the minnow bucket lid, and two plastic bottles with a couple jigs inside. Neither were wearing the life jackets and that they both know better! It’s like fishing with the Grumpy Old Men! Ray’s reply ” Hey I got a 33.5 incher”.

As mentioned before in these blogs: I don’t wear a lifejacket as much as I should but I want everyone to know the dangers of fishing or just being around the water at this time of year. The water is in its 30s right now. At that temp survival time is only 30-60 mins and that includes getting warmed up again. That doesn’t sound too serious but in the last week(2009) I’ve heard of 20+ deaths from drowning in the news media. A father lost his son within the Detroit metro area. There were 2 deaths in Pennsylvania, An older man in Missouri that fell off his dock and before he could be found it was too late. My buddy Yezj had a close call at the marina he keeps his boat in. He was helping a friend getting his boat in and leaving the dock thought he was on his dock and missed the small section at the end that went off on a 45 degree angle. Sploosh he was in and no ladders in sight. The only thing that saved him was his buddy’s boat he just helped put in. How does it feel to fall in?

• You begin gasping for air immediately

• You find it harder to breathe

• Less blood goes to your brain making you disoriented, faint, and more likely to drown

• Increased heart rate overworks your heart

• You may suffer from heart failure or die

• Blood flow to your arms and legs decreases

• Limbs and hands become numb

• You lose the use of your fingers and are unable to grasp rescue lines or reach onto a rescue boat

• You lose your ability to swim

• When swimming, you are in a vertical position. With more of your body underwater you have a greater chance of drowning

So if you're going out on this cold water remember to wear that lifejacket because you never know what may happen.

Get Outdoors Downriver.