Always wear your PFD! 2024
ApacheGuns515 reply :
So a good friend of mine nearly lost his life yesterday.
He decided to head out to a local river after work in his kayak for some evening fishing. He gets out on the river near a bridge and drops anchor upsteam in about 30ft of water. The anchor lets go unexpectedly and he begins to drift towards the strong current in the middle of the river and then snags on something hard and pulls the entire front of the kayak under water. Before he could even react the entire kayak was pulled under water and flipped upside down with him inside of it. His leg was caught on something and he had to rip his leg free then float back to the surface and attempt to swim across the current to a boat nearby. Luckily he was able to get the boats attention and they pulled him out. They head back over to where his kayak was and they couldn't even find it, the current was so strong that it pulled his kayak so far under water that they couldn't see it from the surface. And he was trapped inside of it that far under.
He shows up to work today with a terribly lacerated and bruised leg and a horror story and telling me he is so grateful that he had his life jacket on because without that extra flotation there was no way he would have been able to stay above that current and call for help. The boaters nearby said they didn't even see him go under and never would have noticed had he not been yelling in their direction once he resurfaced.
I know folks say it all the time but seriously, always wear your PFD. They really can and do save your life if you find yourself in an unfortunate situation like my buddy did and currents can often be a heck of a lot worse than they may seem on the surface. He ended up losing everything in that accident including the kayak itself as well as all of his gear, keys, phone, etc. But he walked away with his life.
Darren. reply :
Your last two sentences say it all. Lost everything but his life.
Glad he's alive to tell the story.
Fishing Rhino reply :
Another important reason, is that should you die, wearing a pfd makes finding your body much easier.
Scott F reply :
Glad to hear he came out alive. It also shows the danger of anchoring a kayak in current.
lo n slo reply :
indeed, thanks for sharing his story
tander reply :
No doubt about it, life jackets and kill switches saves lives !!!!!! Sorry your buddy lost all his equipment but glad to hear that he is still around to talk about it.
Joseph B. reply :
Wow! Thanks for sharing. I don't usually wear mine but I will now!! So glad your friend still here to tell about it!
Shawk63 reply :
Thanks for sharing. I always wear mine.
WRB reply :
How does a anchored kayak go down bow 1st! I have heard of Jon boats being swamped in rivers from bow tied anchors, didn't know kayaker's would tie to the bow.
Whatever anchoring in swift River current can be dangerous and use a quick release hitch loop knot*, he is a lucky man.
Tom
*highwaymans hitch
haggard reply :
Thanks for the reminder. PFD always. Like seat belts. Not in the yak I mean... in the car.
Things going wrong are measured in seconds.
flyfisher reply :
On 10/12/2018 at 5:12 AM, WRB said:How does a anchored kayak go down bow 1st! I have heard of Jon boats being swamped in rivers from bow tied anchors, didn't know kayaker's would tie to the bow.
Whatever anchoring in swift River current can be dangerous and use a quick release hitch loop knot*, he is a lucky man.
Tom
*highwaymans hitch
I haven't seen a kayaker do it any other way. The front of the kayak is generally higher up in the water so it takes more to go over the top. It is also easier to set up to fish somewhere since your seat is generally speaking only able to face to the front of the boat.
I only anchor directly off the front of my kayak. Sounds like this guy was anchoring in some pretty gnarly current and that deep you'd need a whole lot of anchor line out which i am also guessing wasn't the case. I don't anchor in heavy current myself, not worth the risk to me.
Glad this dude made it out ok.
WRB reply :
On 10/12/2018 at 8:22 AM, flyfisher said:I haven't seen a kayaker do it any other way. The front of the kayak is generally higher up in the water so it takes more to go over the top. It is also easier to set up to fish somewhere since your seat is generally speaking only able to face to the front of the boat.
I only anchor directly off the front of my kayak. Sounds like this guy was anchoring in some pretty gnarly current and that deep you'd need a whole lot of anchor line out which i am also guessing wasn't the case. I don't anchor in heavy current myself, not worth the risk to me.
Glad this dude made it out ok.
Not being a kayaker It's seem difficult to me how you get up front to tie off a anchor rope to the bow. I can see having a rope tied onto the bow tie down and dropping the anchor over the side and paddling forward to retrieve the rope from the side, that would prevent having a quick release knot, very dangerous situation anchoring in a river with high current.
At least he was wearing his PFD and made it out alive.
Tom
flyfisher reply :
On 10/12/2018 at 8:29 AM, WRB said:Not being a kayaker It's seem difficult to me how you get up front to tie off a anchor rope to the bow. I can see having a rope tied onto the bow tie down and dropping the anchor over the side and paddling forward to retrieve the rope from the side, that would prevent having a quick release knot, very dangerous situation anchoring in a river with high current.
At least he was wearing his PFD and made it out alive.
Tom
you don't go up there to tie anything. You run your anchor line from your seat area up the side and then i have a clip at the front that my anchor goes through to keep it right off the bow.
In a kayak it doesn't take it being off center much, or not enough line out to get squirrels really fast. I will also use a drag chain off the back set up the same way but that one if i am drifting through something that looks like it might get hung up I am pulling it up quick. I always have a fixed blade knife handy as well.
WRB reply :
You could have a ring on a short bow line to hitch the anchor line to and use the rope end to pull the quick release knot free, that is what I did with mt aluminum boats so I did need to get in the bow to untie the anchor rope.
He servived because he was wearing a PFD and was a lucky man he was saved, unlucky he lost his boat and tackle. A quick release may have saved his stuff.
Tom
slonezp reply :
On 10/11/2018 at 7:26 AM, Fishing Rhino said:Another important reason, is that should you die, wearing a pfd makes finding your body much easier.
Not all of us want to be found
On 10/12/2018 at 8:33 AM, flyfisher said:I always have a fixed blade knife handy as well.
A knife is an invaluable tool on the water and everyone should carry one at their side.
flyfisher reply :
On 10/12/2018 at 8:45 AM, slonezp said:A knife is an invaluable tool on the water and everyone should carry one at their side.
And one that is sharp and not just sitting there to look nice. I only cut my anchor line once and it was more of a precaution because it was hung but i didn't feel comfortable at the time. I was happy to have the sharp knife at my side.
MickD reply :
On 10/11/2018 at 7:26 AM, Fishing Rhino said:Another important reason, is that should you die, wearing a pfd makes finding your body much easier.
That's what my son has told me many times. Says he doesn't want to waste a lot fishing time looking for the body. ????
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 10/11/2018 at 11:15 PM, Joseph B. said:I don't usually wear mine but I will now!!
Wear it always, Joe, and if fishing at night, attach a water activated strobe.
IgotWood reply :
Wow, crazy story! It’s so easy to be complacent when we fish the same spot, the same way, all the time. Bad things never happen when it’s convenient!
ApacheGuns515 reply :
On 10/12/2018 at 5:12 AM, WRB said:How does a anchored kayak go down bow 1st! I have heard of Jon boats being swamped in rivers from bow tied anchors, didn't know kayaker's would tie to the bow.
Whatever anchoring in swift River current can be dangerous and use a quick release hitch loop knot*, he is a lucky man.
Tom
*highwaymans hitch
It can happen when anchoring off the front of the kayak. It's happened to me before but I have a sit on top kayak with scupper holes and they were enough to let the water drain out as I frantically tried to get my anchor in which was stuck with required me to release it from my carabiner and let it go so that I wouldn't sink.
Kayaks are small boats, when they start to go under they go under quick in strong currents.
On 10/12/2018 at 8:22 AM, flyfisher said:I haven't seen a kayaker do it any other way. The front of the kayak is generally higher up in the water so it takes more to go over the top. It is also easier to set up to fish somewhere since your seat is generally speaking only able to face to the front of the boat.
I only anchor directly off the front of my kayak. Sounds like this guy was anchoring in some pretty gnarly current and that deep you'd need a whole lot of anchor line out which i am also guessing wasn't the case. I don't anchor in heavy current myself, not worth the risk to me.
Glad this dude made it out ok.
I know the river he was fishing in well. I go there all the time in my own yak. Close to the banks the river is completely calm but out in the middle it's absolutely terrible. If you want to get to the other side in a yak you basically have to paddle upstream in the calm part then make your way out to the middle while frantically paddling and get pushed out on the other side somewhere down river on the other calm side then paddle back up to where you wanted to go.
What happened to him, from what he told me, was that he was anchored on the calm side of the river. He had his head down while tying on a new lure and didn't notice that he was drifting which is understandable as it happens to me often as well. His anchor had let go somehow and he ended up drifting into the middle of the river in the extreme current to where his anchor decided to grab onto something which subsequently pulled him right under.
He wasn't trying to anchor out there, he was just distracted as he floated to the middle of the river which caused his accident.
ApacheGuns515 reply :
On 10/12/2018 at 8:42 AM, WRB said:You could have a ring on a short bow line to hitch the anchor line to and use the rope end to pull the quick release knot free, that is what I did with mt aluminum boats so I did need to get in the bow to untie the anchor rope.
He servived because he was wearing a PFD and was a lucky man he was saved, unlucky he lost his boat and tackle. A quick release may have saved his stuff.
Tom
Yeah that was one of the first things I asked him when he told me the story. Did you have a quick release? He said no which was why he was unable to release the anchor as he was being pulled under. He didn't have time to grab his knife and cut the rope before it was too late. He said that he would be getting an anchor trolley as the first thing if he decides to get another yak.
That is why I always advocate anchor trolleys as the first modification any yak fisherman makes. You NEED the ability to quickly release that anchor if things turn south. It has happened to me on more than one occasion.
About 3 months ago I was fishing in a local river with a 5lb claw anchor and I miscalculated the amount of line I needed for the anchor to hit bottom when I tossed it over. I ended up drifting right into some rapids with water rapidly spilling all over my kayak. After about 10 seconds of trying to frantically free the anchor I just unclipped it and let it go and was able to paddle my way back to shore.
A PFD is an absolute must for anyone on the water in my opinion. Especially kayak fishermen. An anchor trolley with a quick release is equally important for kayakers fishing in rivers.
I live on a river, if you look at my river from my backyard it looks like glass most of the time. But if you go to the middle of it the current is deceptively strong, so strong that my 10ft plastic boat with a 55lb trolling motor is literally unable to traverse upriver in that current. But unless you toss something in there and see it looks like it's completely calm.
We have had at least 2 people die in the river running behind my house because they thought they could swim in it and ended up getting sucked into that current and drown because it just looks like it would be a great place for a summer swim because it "looks" relatively calm. The local authorities found a dead body in the dam upriver 2 years ago from a young man trying to swim across that river behind my house.
Respect the water, know what you are doing, and be safe.
WRB reply :
If anyone is thinking they need a knife to cut a rope in an boating emergency needs to learn 2 basic knots; the simple horse hitch quick release knot and a bowline knot.
Tom
flyfisher reply :
On 10/13/2018 at 10:31 AM, WRB said:If anyone is thinking they need a knife to cut a rope in an boating emergency needs to learn 2 basic knots; the simple horse hitch quick release knot and a bowline knot.
Tom
Bowline knots aren't quick release by any means and i do know the simple horse hitch quick release knot as well. Problem in a kayak is many people, including myself use zig zag cleats to stop the anchor line. If i were to get in trouble cutting the line is the only option. Could i put in another type of anchor point to tie the line to, sure but I prefer not to have more things protruding from the kayak than i have to should i have some sort of rescue situation where lines can get tangled when flipped.
On 10/13/2018 at 9:41 AM, ApacheGuns515 said:It can happen when anchoring off the front of the kayak. It's happened to me before but I have a sit on top kayak with scupper holes and they were enough to let the water drain out as I frantically tried to get my anchor in which was stuck with required me to release it from my carabiner and let it go so that I wouldn't sink.
They absolutely can get squirrely fast but usually it is because you are not anchoring directly in the center of the bow or not enough line is out. No matter what really, anchoring with a kayak in or near current can be a dicey proposition.
WRB reply :
Bowline knot is used to tie on the anchor and is easy to untie without cutting the rope as it doesn't clinch itself over tight. The quick release knot is released by pulling on the loose end of the rope, you can do this sitting in your kayak or boat. Tie a bouy ( qt jug) to the rope end and go back to pick up and retrieve the anchor.
The accident discribed could have been avoided with simple knot knowledge.
Tom
ApacheGuns515 reply :
On 10/13/2018 at 11:20 PM, WRB said:Bowline knot is used to tie on the anchor and is easy to untie without cutting the rope as it doesn't clinch itself over tight. The quick release knot is released by pulling on the loose end of the rope, you can do this sitting in your kayak or boat. Tie a bouy ( qt jug) to the rope end and go back to pick up and retrieve the anchor.
The accident discribed could have been avoided with simple knot knowledge.
Tom
In his case I don't believe anything would have been able to change the outcome besides him having the anchor line directly in his hand during the accident. Most people don't fish with the anchor line in one hand.
He has a 10ft sit in kayak which was anchored off of the bow. The time it took for that anchor to catch and pull the nose under was about 1 second and once that cockpit filled with water rapidly he was sucked right under.
He basically tied the anchor line to the bow through the carrying handle and kept the anchor in the cockpit with him. He would toss it over when it wanted to anchor and then paddle up a bit and retrieve it when he was ready to move and put it back in the cockpit. In strong current like that there is no way to paddle upriver to get it so when it snagged he was done immediately.
Having the loose end of the rope in his hand would have helped had he tied the bowline knot, however him drifting into the strong current wasn't intentional and he wasn't expecting to have to quickly release the anchor in a split second.
ApacheGuns515 reply :
On 10/13/2018 at 10:50 PM, flyfisher said:Bowline knots aren't quick release by any means and i do know the simple horse hitch quick release knot as well. Problem in a kayak is many people, including myself use zig zag cleats to stop the anchor line. If i were to get in trouble cutting the line is the only option. Could i put in another type of anchor point to tie the line to, sure but I prefer not to have more things protruding from the kayak than i have to should i have some sort of rescue situation where lines can get tangled when flipped.
They absolutely can get squirrely fast but usually it is because you are not anchoring directly in the center of the bow or not enough line is out. No matter what really, anchoring with a kayak in or near current can be a dicey proposition.
Indeed. The plan was never to actually anchor in the current. I fish that river often and I know exactly where my buddy nearly drowned because it's where I lost my own anchor I described. The problem with kayaks and watercraft in general is the loss of situational awareness that can happy pretty quickly when you have your head down being distracted. I too am guilty of this, there have been plenty of times when I'm heads down in the yak trying to remove a swallowed hook and I'll look up and notice I've drifted far down river without even noticing because my anchor let go at random.
I've even damaged a rod or two in my rod holders while accidentally being drifted into a low hanging tree while I'm heads down changing a lure. I try to make a point to look around every few seconds or so when I'm heads down but things happen.
The problem with yak anchors is their small size. They are usually 3lb claw anchors, maybe 5lb max, and sometimes one of those claws will catch on something and stop you and you think you're secured then it will let go and you don't notice. Or you may hook on to a feisty fish who can pretty easily take you a long for a ride. Controlling a strong fish with one hand while trying to maintain control with the paddle in the other hand can be tricky sometimes.
WRB reply :
About 5' of rope inside the kayak grab it and pull it the bow goes down.
Tom
PeterFry reply :
Hello All.
I am glad I read this and feel for your friend with his near miss.
I have just bought a Kayak and have not used it yet, so all of the above is very helpful and informative.
My plan is to start on still water and then move to rivers when I have more experience and completed a safety course.
Thanks
Peter
NHBull reply :
On 10/13/2018 at 10:31 AM, WRB said:If anyone is thinking they need a knife to cut a rope in an boating emergency needs to learn 2 basic knots; the simple horse hitch quick release knot and a bowline knot.
Tom
Tom,
I was a white water kayak guide / instructor and a scraded knife on your chest is invaluable if you in the water or may only have the use of 1 hand. A second knife on the shin has also come in handy. Most never think if this while fishing out of a kayak but they should
Arlo Smithereen reply :
I have anchor trolleys on both sides of my kayak, one anchor on each side connected to 26 foot retractable dog leashes. Both dog leashes are attached to the boat by carabiners which can be unhooked quickly if need be. And of course a knife within easy reach if all else fails.
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