Worrying About Fishing Alone

Last week while having breakfast with the wife and listening to the news, we heard about a follow angler who had a mishap and died while fishing.

I did a blog on him http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/community/post/fishermens-last-run . The story goes on to say he was fishing alone… That’s when I seen the look in Millie’s eyes, a look I didn’t like and I asked her what’s wrong. She goes on to tell me that’s the way I fish alone, she is always worried that I might end up like that someday. I’ve been fishing alone for years and never though of it like that, unsafe?

What can we do to insure our safety and keep our family’s and love ones from worrying? I know the rule is “Never go fishing alone” but there’s something about fishing alone. Stalking your catch, pitting your skills against nature, and reeling in a fish without help or an audience brings with it a unique kind of excitement. Don’t get me wrong, I love to fish with my pals in the same boat or on shore. The camaraderie that is a natural part of fishing with a group… the competition for first catch and biggest catch… the conversation-B.S... But there is the peacefulness and gratifying feeling you get by yourself on a lake, river, shore, dock or boat.

When fishing alone always tell someone the location of your fishing trip and the time you plan to be back. This will help if you are overdue in your return and will give a search party a general location to go by. Carry a charged mobile phone for emergencies and use it if you change locations and times.

Plan your outing according to the daily weather conditions and forecasts. Take extra precautions if inclement weather is on the horizon and plan a quick route to safety if the weather turns sour. When boating alone make it a standard procedure to wear a PFD (personal flotation device). Weather and water conditions can change in a moments notice and even the 10 seconds it takes to put on a PFD can be the difference in averting disaster. If you are fishing from shore or wading it is also safe practice to wear a PFD. New lightweight PFD are more comfortable than those of the past and can really save you if you slip on a rock or become submerged in a river for whatever reason.

Invest in a compass or GPS unit. Even if you have good local knowledge of the area it is always advisable to have at least a basic navigation aid to assist you in the event you get lost or become disoriented.

Minimize your gear and tackle. Lugging large amounts of tackle can seriously hinder your movement in a small boat or canoe and even on shore. Take lures that are versatile for a couple of fish species as opposed to lots of lures for one type of fish. Dress appropriately and plan for emergencies. Have an extra set of clothes in your backpack or boat. Take extra water and some food just in case.

Make sure that you use a belt when wearing chest waders and keep it fairly tight. If you fall in the river there’s enough air in them to keep you afloat. Do not struggle, just keep yourself face up, feet first and go with the current. When you get to a bend, steer yourself to shore.

Using a staff is very useful for wade-fishing those deeper pools, even a good peace of tree branch is better than nothing. Carry a small first aid kit, turning your ankle or cutting yourself with a knife at home are minor mishaps, do it when you’re fishing alone can turn into tragedies. Stop fishing immediately if a major injury occurs and seek prompt medical treatment.

The joys of fishing alone for me outweigh the difficulties. You can go out when you want and call it quits when you want. Lose a fish? who cares no one is around to see it. The pleasant solitude is yours to enjoy … FISH-ON! Cookster