A big, Round disaster.

[briansnat]

Figured I'd grab a campsite at Round Valley and get in some evening and morning fishing. I arrived there a little after 4 yesterday and decided to set up camp first so I didn't have to do it in the dark. Set up the hammock, stove, etc and just as the sun was setting, I headed out only to realize I left my tackle box in the car, so back to the launch. Got the box and it was dark by now so I start motoring toward my fishing ground when I notice my fish finder isn't working. I look down at it and start playing with the wires and look up to see the shoreline closing fast. I cut the motor, but it was too late, hit it head on going pretty fast and I was pitched out of my seat onto the floor of the boat. I was OK and to my amazement the boat seemed to be fine, though it was most of the way up on the shore. Luckily I hit one of the few gently sloping, gravel sections. I finally worked it back into the water, but too shaken to fish I went to the campsite, built a fire and smoked a few cigars.

I always double anchor my boat at RV a few feet off shore so it doesn't bang on the rocks. I woke up and could see the boat in the dim light about 40 feet from shore. The stern anchor had worked it's way off the chain and the boat was riding the one anchor but the wind was taking it out. Stared at it for a while wondering what to do and finally stripped to my skivvies and went out and got it.

Now the real fun started. I loaded the boat with my camping gear and tried to push off directly into the teeth of a brutal wind. By the time I would get in the boat and start the engine I'd be blown back on the rocks. I tried rowing but could get nowhere. I threw the anchor back out to keep the bow into the waves, but the anchor line snapped (lost two darn good anchors today) so it blew parallel to shore and hung on the rocks at one point almost pinning me between the boat and rocks. I couldn't budge it and the waves were washing over the windward side. I sat there in waist deep, 55 degree water holding the boat trying to keep it off the rocks and also keep it from swamping by tilting it toward me when a big wave came. By this time the strobe lights were going, meaning even if I could get it out there I had to go back to shore and I' be in the same situation again. After an hour in the water and realizing that I could be there all day, I gave in and called the park police. About 30 minutes later they were on the scene.

We spent some time trying to get each other ropes to no avail, then they tried to get closer and hung up on the rocks themselves. I went out to see if I could push them off (the rescued rescuing the rescuer) . I couldn't budge it so one of the cops jumps in gun, boots and all and the two of us get it off, but they managed to bend the propeller in the process. It took us nearly an hour but finally we got a line between the boats and they started to pull. My boat was sitting on some pretty jagged rocks and I pictured the bottom ripping like a tin can.

Finally free of the rocks, they towed me away from shore but I noticed the boat was full of water. Was there a hole or was it just the water that had been washing in throughout the ordeal? I watched the level closely and it didn't seem to be rising so I guess it was the latter. Because the strobes were on they wouldn't let me go in under my own power so I had a Nantucket sleigh ride of sorts, bobbing in two and sometimes three foot waves and getting drenched from head to toe with the spray. For some reason the theme song to Gilligan's Island kept running through my head. They could only go slow so it took us quite a while to get back.

Once I got the car on the trailer I took a quick look at the bottom and it seemed to be OK. Those old aluminum Grummans can take a beating. Ya know 55 degree water isn't half bad once you get used to it. I think I was borderline hypothermic but refused the cop's offer of an ambulance. That heat in the car certainly felt good on the way home.

[kmaty]

Glad everbody made it out alive when you cant push your boat off the shore line b4 the wind beaches you prob a good time to call it and il leave it at that......no fish?

[briansnat]

Glad everbody made it out alive when you cant push your boat off the shore line b4 the wind beaches you prob a good time to call it and il leave it at that......no fish?
Never wet a line

[GetANet]

Glad your okay but what ever possessed you to attempt that type of weekend in the weather we had the last two days???:confused:

One Word: GOLF?????:D

[buzzbaiter]

Sure your okay? Its hypothermic not hypodermic. lol I'm just needling you. :p

[briansnat]

Sure your okay? Its hypothermic not hypodermic. lol I'm just needling you. :p
Darn cell phone spell checker

[briansnat]

Glad your okay but what ever possessed you to attempt that type of weekend in the weather we had the last two days???:confused:

One Word: GOLF?????:DYesterday was beautiful. Today was supposed to be sunny with 15 MPH winds. They got the sunny part right.

[Andrushkin33]

Man,

Glad everyone made it out alright. And that's including your boat.

Andre

[Polelock]

Glad you were able to tell the story... Place can be tough when that wind kicks in!!!

[briansnat]

Glad you were able to tell the story... Place can be tough when that wind kicks in!!!

Had I chosen a campsite on the other side I probably would have been fine. I encountered similar conditions last year but my wife was with me and she went in and held the boat until I could start the motor.

When the park cop was taking my info he mentioned he had a bunch of kayakers he had to go and rescue after me. They were also stuck in their campsites, but he was taking a truck around to pick them up. Even they hesitate to use the boat when they don't have to in that chop.

The wind can be brutal there. When I was giving the cop my info when we got to the ramp a few people pulled up planning to put in and he pointed out to them that they couldn't launch because the strobes were going. The cove with the ramps was calm and it was hard to tell how bad it was out there. They were pretty pissed. One guy was a wind surfer and he was livid. "A day like this is what I live for" he kept saying. I told him to give Spruce Run a try, I don't think they have the "clear the water" strobes there.

[Mark B.]

Those brutal NW winds are the key to success when I wade fish the eastern shore mid Nov. through the winter. It’s like surf fishing.

Park Rangers drove in one such day to rescue stranded boaters when I was there. One aluminum boat’s bow was bashed in pretty good.

“The sea,……..she’s a tough life.” – Jacques Cousteau

[FASTEDDIE29]

Great story but horrible all at once. Glad you got outta there in one piece. One month from now with that colder water you might not have made it. Unreal!!!

[briansnat]

A pic from the ride home

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AJs1rDxrCjU/VE7-YXVrFMI/AAAAAAAAGts/e62tbXN_SVU/w889-h667-no/IMG_0104.JPG

[AndyS]

That place is no joke !!! Glad you made it out alive. Spent many days up there in my canoe but always listened to the wind before I launched. Can't tell you how many days I woke up planning to fish that lake only to hear the leaves blowing on the trees and rolling over and going back to sleep.

[Polelock]

Brian,
could I use that pic on the RVTA facebook page? Would like to remind everyone to be careful in high winds..

[kcritch]

Wow...Looks like the ocean in that pic. Been on that lake in similar conditions with only a bow mount trolling motor to get back...didn't know I was allowed to drop my engine (over 9.9) in those situations...stupid. Took forever and had a hell of a time getting it on the trailer when we finally got back to the ramp...in the dark, water up to my belly, waves crashing and pushing me into the rocks...no fun at all. Big lesson learned early on in my boating "career".

Glad you got out unharmed dude and a good tale to share for others to learn without having to go through it.

[dakota560]

First glad you're hear to tell the story. Can't imagine what the experience must have felt like. No trip is worth that much risk. Some times better to just pack it in and plan on another day. Easier said than done as we all push the envelope but mother nature is not someone to fool around with. It can get real bad real quick.

Aside from your experience, that water color and quality in the picture you posted is amazing. Looks like gulf stream waters in the canyons off shore. Didn't realize the waters at RV were that beautiful.

Dakota

[briansnat]

Brian,
could I use that pic on the RVTA facebook page? Would like to remind everyone to be careful in high winds..

Feel free to.

[briansnat]

First glad you're hear to tell the story. Can't imagine what the experience must have felt like. No trip is worth that much risk. Some times better to just pack it in and plan on another day. Easier said than done as we all push the envelope but mother nature is not someone to fool around with. It can get real bad real quick.

Aside from your experience, that water color and quality in the picture you posted is amazing. Looks like gulf stream waters in the canyons off shore. Didn't realize the waters at RV were that beautiful.

Dakota

I was thinking the very same thing as I was riding behind the boat. The water was so clear that I could see the propeller spinning in the water. The waters of RV are incredibly clear. If it's calm you can see the bottom in 20+ feet of water.

[Polelock]

thanks...

[Skunk City]

Props for being able to share your situation. Most guys would be too proud to. Let it be a warning for all of us out there. Glad you made it out unscathed.

[UglyStick]

Glad you made it out ok - as other have said, that place is no joke. When I was young, my buddy and I were out on RV in a small boat when the wind whipped up hard and the strobes went off. It was pretty hairy getting back in... I'll never forget that day, 30 years later I remember it like yesterday.

[liveitup1.75liter]

I saw u at the dock when u got in. Nice to meet u. Lol. I had the fly rod out

[briansnat]

I saw u at the dock when u got in. Nice to meet u. Lol. I had the fly rod out

I think I remember you. Tall guy with a fly rod standing to the left of the dock (or right side from your viewpoint).

[RyanMac14]

I remember as a kid being out on round valley in a canoe with my dad. We were out deep and it was choppy. Big bass boat came threw and with the wake mixed with the chop (my dad coulent turn into it in time) we rolled. I was thrown and upon swimming to the surface I felt myself being pulled back under. My shirt had snagged onto the motor and as the canoe bobbed on every downpull I was pulled under even with my little life jacket on. Luckily my dad was cool during crisis and managed to make his way over to me amd rip my shirt to free me. RV can get bad and sometimes idiots dont help (I dont remember if their use to be no restrictions or what but his wake was large). Glad everything turned out alright for you and that even the damage wasnt bad.

[GetANet]

Staying calm and collected is the ONLY WAY to survive in these situations!
VERY SIMPLE YOU PANIC YOU USUALLY MAKE A BAD DECISION AND MAY ULTIMATELY LOOSE YOURS AND POSSIBLY SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.
I have been fishing and boating for a very long time starting as a young child and have been in many very serious situations over the years and am always thinking several steps ahead in case one comes up. Being prepared as well as possible both mentally as well as equipment wise will go a long way in avoiding unfortunate outcomes.
Here's just one example: My daughter and I fish RV quite a bit and it's usually at night. One night when we were out enjoying the evening I began to explain to her what we would do in the event of a severe thunderstorm and she replied dad it's beautiful out not a cloud in the sky.
My response was that NOW was the time to discuss the details so that if and when the event unfolded that she would already know what the procedure was and what we going to do.
I explained to her I would start the motor first we would pull the anchors and head for the nearest shoreline to beach the boat and seek shelter. I felt that if this did occur that we both already kinda knew what to expect and what to do........
May just save our lives on day or nite.........

[dakota560]

I remember as a kid being out on round valley in a canoe with my dad. We were out deep and it was choppy. Big bass boat came threw and with the wake mixed with the chop (my dad coulent turn into it in time) we rolled. I was thrown and upon swimming to the surface I felt myself being pulled back under. My shirt had snagged onto the motor and as the canoe bobbed on every downpull I was pulled under even with my little life jacket on. Luckily my dad was cool during crisis and managed to make his way over to me amd rip my shirt to free me. RV can get bad and sometimes idiots dont help (I dont remember if their use to be no restrictions or what but his wake was large). Glad everything turned out alright for you and that even the damage wasnt bad.

Can I assume from your post that the boater who caused the wake didn't turn around to help you guys out? If that's the case it is absolutely unforgivable. We all make mistakes but to make one like that and for the person in the bass boat to motor off is inexcusable when someone's life is at risk! Not to sound cavalier but to have that happen to me is one thing, to have it happen to my son and put both of our lives at risk I would have made a point of finding the SOB and in no uncertain terms let him know how I felt about damn near costing me and my boy our lives. If your going to be reckless and kill yourself that's bad enough but don't ever put someone else's life in risk with your stupidity.

Glad you and your dad survived your ordeal!

Dakota

[RyanMac14]

Of course he did not. A different bass boat who saw it and actually came and scooped us up got the guys info and gave it to the rangers. I couldnt tell you what happened with it though. Yeah despite losing probably close to 1k worth of gear my dad was just happy everything ended up like it did. Just glad that experience didnt traumatize me to stay away from fishing and going out in my little boat :)