Capsized!

Yesterday afternoon, I was fly fishing on my OK Scrambler XL off Dash Point Park between Seattle and Tacoma. While leaning over the boat to land a nice pink salmon, I got hit by big waves from a passing container ship and a speedboat. I lost my balance and capsized. I was wearing chest waders, which filled with water, but my floatation vest kept me from sinking. Due to all the water in my waders, the instability of the boat, and because I'm a big klutz, I was unable to get back on board. I was extremely fortunate that there was a small boat with three good samaritans fishing nearby, and that I was only 100 yards or so from the beach. They towed me and the boat to shore, and retrieved my stuff, including the fish, which was still floating on the water. The only thing I lost, besides my dignity, was my rod and reel. I make my own bamboo rods, and the reel was an inexpensive one, so the financial loss was minimal. I'm just thankful that this happenned close to shore and that there were helpful people around. It could have been much worse.

Last night, after a few glasses of wine to calm my nerves, and a great grilled pink salmon dinner, I started thinking about what went wrong and how I can fish from my kayak more safely. I'll never wear waders again while in kayak. Unless I'm with someone who can help, I'll stay close to shore and around people. I'm going to take the kayak out to a shallow area in a local lake, and practice capsizing and getting back on board. I'm also wondering if I need to get a bigger, more stable boat. I'm 6'2" and weigh about 230.

I'd really like to get safety ideas and input from the more experienced guys. Kayak fishing is a lot of fun, and I don't want to get scared off...


Tom

 

  Wow Tom glad to hear it turned out ok.  I have noticed that the sound can be calm and it lulls you a bit.  Last year I had this freak wave come at me on a calm day it was at least a 3-4 ft one with curling white cap.  Luckly I saw it coming for about 10 minutes and just reeled in and paddled straight into it, but I have learned to be on the constant look out for big swells, especially when I am in one my tandems with someone else.
  I complain about my tandem's slowness sometimes but I have to say it is one stable dry ride.  I am sure your yak is fine though next time you will be more aware of leaning over.
   I am considering getting a portable uhf radio and putting a few flares on my boat, probably something everyone should have especially if you go out solo.

Aaron

The bare minimum emergency equipment, besides the PFD, is a whistle and a signaling mirror. Mine are in a small pocket in my drytop. They would be in my PFD pocket, if it had pockets. A flashing strobe light, flares, and a waterproof, hand held VHF are good ideas.

I never wear my waders without my drytop. I have a belt for them, too. I've been in the water that way, and hardly got anything in my waders. If I didn't want a drytop on, I'd go for some kind of wetsuit arrangement, maybe just a shorty for warm weather, and a paddle jacket.

Glad you're OK, Tom. The school of hardknocks, while effective, can be brutal.