A
autofisher
Went out on the Santiam yesterday with a buddy to do a little fishing and relaxing. Everything was going great until we were just above the confluence. I had my buddy stay wide right, and as I was telling him where to row I got snagged up. Before I could snap the line, the current had pulled me where I did not want to go. I was fine through the shoot, but as I hit the bottom of it I saw a couple of logs jutting out into the current. I tried to row wide around them but the fast water caught my pontoon and s*@t whipped me right into the logs. I was stuck between the two and the current was pushing me further into them when the back deck of the toon started getting swamped. As I scrambled to get loose, my right ankle got pinned under one log with the foot rest of the pontoon. The force of the water started to flip the pontoon and that's when I knew there was no dry way to get out of the situation. I pushed as hard as I could on the foot rest with my foot and bailed out over the top of the log. Somehow, I got on the other side and flipped the pontoon over the log. In doing so, I lost an oar, my hat, my sunglasses and most everything else that wasn't strapped down. Even snapped the reel right off my pole! Glad that's all I lost. Made it to shore just before the confluences (whew!) and took inventory. Phone and wallet were dry and safe as they were in water tight boxes and zipped in the pouches.
Aside from the missing items, a swollen knee, bruises and a deflated ego I'm fine.
Just be careful out there everyone. I've had plenty of experience on the river and always carry a life jacket, but you never know when stuff is going to go haywire.
Aside from the missing items, a swollen knee, bruises and a deflated ego I'm fine.
Just be careful out there everyone. I've had plenty of experience on the river and always carry a life jacket, but you never know when stuff is going to go haywire.
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