Yardsale on the river 5/26

Met up with Martin (Yakuza) at about 5:30, we put his yak on my car and dropped off his at the pickup point. We drove to our put in point and got on the water about 6:30ish. Not even 10 minutes into our downriver adventure, I see Martin get sucked into some trees on a sweeping bend. Over he goes. Crap! I see his paddle stuck in the trees, so I carefully maneuver by them to grab them, and what happens? I get sucked in and over I go. Spilling all my gear into the fast moving river. After I get my head straight I see stuff floating down river everywhere. But I got his paddle out! Then I realize I have a a jighead hook stuck in my neck by my adams apple. A 3/16 oz 2/0 Gamakatsu jighead. I didn't see it but it felt like it was pretty deep but the barb came back through. If my darn camera wouldn't have gotten soaked you bet I'd have pics of it. lol. After a struggle with the pliers we got the hook cut and removed. If it wasn't for the hook piercing my neck my pole would have gotten away. We regroup, happy that we both didn't lose our paddles and continue downstream to see if we can catch up with some of our floating gear. We come down to a pool and we finally start to fish, soaking wet at 7am. I hear Marting holler, couldn't understand him, thought he saw some fish or something and on the way over to him i see one of my tackle trays floating in the water. Score! All of my Spooks, Xraps and crankbaits. Then I see that Martin found my milk crate. At least I salvaged something out of the wreck. So after a long beautiful float/paddle downstream for a complete skunk. We get back to his car and get the yaks loaded up. I think we spent about 6 hours on the river with barely any fishing. We saw a lot of squawfish, huge carp and a few rainbows. Water was very clear, but didn't seem to get more than 5 feet deep. Nothing good to hold any stripers. Oh well. It was great to hook up with another NCKA member once again, and I had a great time fishing with Martin.

So here is my tally for lost gear.

Net ($20)
2 tackle trays, of hooks, soft plastics, swimbaits and a few lures (approx. $50)
Brand new Shimano reel ($40)
Rapala Scale ($20)
X Tools Floating Pliers ($12)
Braided line clippers ($10)
2 bags of Zoom Flukes unopened ($12)
My digital camera and my phone aren't working as of yet but hopefully will be so I can get my pics and video right before the spill.
So I lost a little over $100 in gear. You live you learn. I brought way too much I didn't need, and I plan on making some rod and paddle leashes and a better way to secure my tackle trays and accessories. I know Martin lost a few things but I will let him tell his side of the story.

Jeff

Although hooking yourself in the neck is an effective way to hold on to your rod, I recommend a rod leash!
 

Although hooking yourself in the neck is an effective way to hold on to your rod, I recommend a rod leash!
 

Yep. Haha. It is my agenda this week. A rod and a paddle leash.

Damn dude. I am glad you are alright. A hook in the throat would be quite scary.
I might have headed to the nearest bottle of tequila.

Marc

Glad to hear you both are OK, sounds like an adventure.

Take care - Bird

       Wow.... hook in the throat.....that's gonna leave a mark!!  Don't feel bad about the "yard sale' as I did something similar on the Russian this winter while Patrick was fighting a steelhead. Without thinking it through I grabbed a branch in swift water thinking I could hold my self in one spot to get a couple of action photos and next thing I knew I was in the water.  Usually we are pretty much prepared for the worst and all I lost was a canned coffee which turned up about a mile downstream.
        What "river" were you guys on...........

Phone halfway works, and my camera is going to work. got pics and video off. Whats crazy I was video as Martin was going into the trees, you an see how "jungly" it was going down river. If I would have taped maybe 15 seconds more you would have seen some carnage.

Pics and video

What a great thread. No one said kayaking is easy. I havent had my spill yet, but it's coming! Hopefully I will have pics to contribute to this thread.
Jeff

Duuude~
Way too much of a coindicence. Glad you guys are OK.

looks like the Stanislaus. Glad nobody got strained

Wow,

That's an Adventure,  that river does look Bueatiful, but as Hydro said, looks like many Strainers,

 Glad you all came out safe,  Got me LOL on the Hook in the neck holding your rod....

 Looking forward to getting out with ya on A Striper Hunt.......

I think the 14 and 16 foot yaks are not made for 1100 cfs rivers lol. No control. You get sideways and you head straight for the banks. It was the Stanislaus. I'm not mad, it kinda woke me up how dangerous it can be. A little too much confidence on my part. I'll stick to the delta and lakes in this yak, and some salt too.

Danglin, I'd love to chase some stripers with you. I know some less dangerous and much dryer spots, lol.

Jeff

Damn Dude... That's got to rate as one of your all time lows. Soaking wet, lost a bunch of gear, hooked in the neck... and no fish. At least everybody knows that you got your fellow NCKR's back when in need. Big ups to you and Martin for making it out pretty much okay. I bet your ego is more bruised than anything else. Rivers can be a trip. Last year on the AR, I almost dumped at least 5 times but, was lucky to get out pretty dry mostly because the water level was so low. Didn't lose anything mostly because everything was bungied down. One thing I learned... a leash for the paddle and rods is pretty important. Also, the currents can be a beotch. Can you imagine if you lost your paddle? That would really suck.

I know you'll get'em next time...

Freddie

Glad you guys are OK Beautiful River. Next time you try it borrow a mini-X you will have a blast.

Glad you guys are OK Beautiful River. Next time you try it borrow a mini-X you will have a blast.

Ive been on the ricer with my old 10' SIS, waaaay more controllable, I might consider getting another smaller kayak just for this. 

Rough break - glad you two are OK.  Credit to you for the detailed report of a less than ideal day.

Live and learn is a good policy - so long as you live!