Yardsale on the river 5/26

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!   

Yeah, but it probably isn't good to rely 100% on that, lol. Because I DO want to live. 

As you can see from my lame boat positioning, I'd never done swift water, let alone in Hobie Mirage, much less a 16 foot Adventure.  But I wanted to try something different, a destination of sorts, so I headed to Jeff's 'hood for an inland adventure. 

Hit the first chute pretty clueless and got knocked the F$%& out.  Came in sideways got hung up in the tree, and boat came right out from under.  Kept my two rods, lost my kickass fillet knife, tray of topwater lures.  Cellphone got dunked now wont stop booting up, digi cam with 2 gig stick lost (sorry Abking, no more OTW pics).    My once-lucky hat and oakleys stayed put.

Didn't even know Jeff was off his boat until I saw his tackle and paddle floating past, looked back, and saw him in the drink.  Tried to gather as much as I could, but could only retrieve the two paddles, a stringer, and something else can't remember.  never been as happy that I had a PFD on - pretty scary for a second.

After the swim, we were freezing our asses off, the hour not yet 0700 and the sun was still low.  Wearing 3 mm paddling pants, thin coolmax jersey, and a light fleece.  Thank GAWD i didn't lose my berkeley cutting pliers.  Used them to cut then extract the hook superficially embedded in Jeff's neck, about 3 mm medial of his left carotid.  Gammie hooks are tough as hell (hardened steel?) took a couple minutes of cranking before it finally snapped, all the while blood trickled down Jeff's neck.  Not fun for either of us.

Was damn cold, had to pull over, wrung out the jersey and fleece, knock out some pushups to generate some body heat Bear Grylls style.  really pissed I lost the camera b/c it was such a gorgeous paddle.  reminded me of Kaui River, just smaller and faster.

Despite all that, it was a darn fun day and a valuable experience.

Thanks again Jeff for the trip. Anytime you wanna hit MB, stillwater, or the bay, come on over!

Thanks again Jeff for the trip. Anytime you wanna hit MB, stillwater, or the bay, come on over!

I enjoyed your company and adventure today. I am soo there. Let me get a good pfd and a warm wet suit and it's on!. I'm sick of fishing in those heavy hunting waders lol.

We once tipped over about 25 yards from the put in and lost our Beer (in the plastic top holders).  At the end of the float, (approximately 7 miles downstream), we saw the beer floating below our boat.  The lesson is never give up the spirit "God Looks Down On The Kayak Fishers"

Glad you are safe and sound.  Your adventure makes me re-think my Stanislaus trip.  Rivers can be very tricky and dangerous. 

Take care,

Bryan

Glad you are safe and sound.  Your adventure makes me re-think my Stanislaus trip.  Rivers can be very tricky and dangerous. 

Take care,

Bryan

It might be a lot more manageable in your shorter Hobie. Just have your paddle out all the time. Should be fine. That was the only trouble spot we ran into.

Jeff,

Glad to hear that you're OK, sounded way scary as I cringed up while reading your ordeal, especially the hook in the neck

Might I ask, what section were you on?  Where did your destination begin and end?

Michael

Jeff -

Glad to hear you and Martin are OK. I know nothing about paddling on rivers and only have 15 ft yaks so you will NEVER see me on a river. 

Scott

One thing I have learned on my Hobie is prior to entering a  bend in the river is to put the rudder up as the river will force an  "end around"  on you the minute you get even slightly sideways. Works for me especially if you are not matching the river speed. I learned a lot watching how the drift boats tackle certain situations.

Jeff,

Glad to hear that you're OK, sounded way scary as I cringed up while reading your ordeal, especially the hook in the neck

Might I ask, what section were you on?  Where did your destination begin and end?

Michael

We put in at Oakdale Recreation and pulled out just past Jacob Myers Park

As an over experienced water dumper- first thing you do when a cell phone gets wet is pull the battery. Then let it dry for about a day. 95% of the time it will ressurect. Never tried it with my digital camera and hope I never will. I keep in in my hatch and pull it out only to take a picture.

As an over experienced water dumper- first thing you do when a cell phone gets wet is pull the battery. Then let it dry for about a day. 95% of the time it will ressurect. Never tried it with my digital camera and hope I never will. I keep in in my hatch and pull it out only to take a picture.

Yep, that's what I did, my cell works perfectly fine and it got completely wet, as so with my digital camera. It's just a Kodak Easyshare and this is the second time I have dunked it and it works perfectly fine, just have to clean the lens as soon as it is completely dry to get the haze off. But it's powering up and taking pictures. I only take my cell with me only because I do not have a VHF on me, soon as I get one I will not be carrying my cell. Unless I end up getting a waterproof one along with a waterproof camera

Jeff

Here is next day picture of my hook impalement. Entrance and exit hole clearly visible. A little swollen and red, but I am keeping it clean. Wow I didnt know how much skin it actually went through until I saw the picture.

Jeff

Hook in the neck?  that must have hurt! Dumping in cold water? that must have been COLD?  Living to share it with others is well.....thanks?
I like GB-Scott have no yak/river knowledge and will now probably have to extinguish the desire to get me a steelie from a river this year....from what I read and hear.....it's a whole different thing.
Glad you guys made it out w/o too much dispare.