Hey Guys, I took a nasty plunge on the Lower Stan (below Goodwin) this past Thursday and got sent flying down stream. As some of you know, 800 CFS can be real nasty out there in some parts. I lost all my gear in the process of trying to survive the chaos. A wading belt might have been the thing that saved my life. I barely made it out alive and ended up needing to call 911 once I got safely to the other side of the river. Here is a list of what I lost. If any of you hear of any of these items being found/recovered, please let me know.
I've fished this section several dozen times and always try and be careful. Accidents can happen to all of us. Stay safe out there and always wear a wading belt.
Phil
-- Edited by hares_ear on Saturday 4th of January 2020 02:01:26 PM
-- Edited by hares_ear on Saturday 4th of January 2020 02:06:33 PM
-- Edited by hares_ear on Saturday 4th of January 2020 02:06:44 PM
Those slick granite boulders below the dam had me crawling to get over them. Treacherous indeed. I'm glad you got out alive. And your post reminds me to get a pair of felt soled boots and an inflatable emergency vest. By the way, did you have a couple of bic lighters in your wader pocket and a whistle attached to your waders where you can easily reach it? Those two items can save your life in an emergency.
Really good advice man! I actually thought about how nice those two items would have been if I would of had them. Solid thing to remember and think about. What emergency vest would you recommend? I've never seen anyone wearing one before.
There are a number of companies that make inflatable life jackets. In general, you get what you pay for, but consider whther or not it will work with a sl8ng pack, and what your weight is. Also, when I go somewhere new, and possibly sketchy, i take an extra wader beltand if necessary, put it on at the top.of my waders. You also should REALLY consider a wading staff of some sort. Mine has saved my bacon more than once. You are young and strong, but that is no excuse for not being prepared. None of us want to read your obituary.
Sorry about the gear Phil, it can be replaced. Eventful trips out of the norm are easier to remember. Memories are awesome, good or bad, make as many as you can to reflect back on when your'e an old goat.
We have all taken spills while wading. Often times it seems to happen in water that really has no pending doom associated with it, though certainly not always the case. Is it possible to "re-pack" an inflatable life jacket?
Years ago, while fishing the Pit, I went through a safety phase. A life jacket and a low profile bike helmet were added to my gear. I took a header into a rock on a previous trip and had been swimming on multiple occasions. I got lazy after a few years and quit using them. I did manage to fall and break my right wrist on 2 different trips to the Pit, opening days 1 year apart. I absolutely refuse to fish without a wading staff, regardless of stream size.
I now have a NRS Chinook life jacket that I purchased for use with my kayak. It fits under my fly vest without any issues and is comfortable. An emergency locator beacon, whistle, mirror and way to make fire never leave the pockets.
Either the trout gods were looking out for me or I just got plain lucky a few times on Putah, Yuba, Feather, Lower Sac, Mad, Pit and West Walker. Add the Stan to your list.
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
