I am sorry that this happened to you.
Thank you for posting your experience.
I hope it serves as a sober reminder to the rest of us
who have gotten lazy about safety procedures.

I am one who leaves the Sospenders on the back
of the seat when fishing alone.

No more!



"Ronnie" wrote in message
oups.com...
While practicing for my Lake Martin tournament week before last, I
stopped on a spot up the river in about 15 feet of water. After putting
the troll motor in, I picked up a rod. The line caught on the handle of
another rod and flipped it in.

When I grabbed for the rod I went overboard. First time I ever fell out
of a boat. I remember grabbing for the rod as I went under, never did
get it. When I came up I could stay on the surface paddling with my
hands, but as soon as I tried to grab the boat I started going under -
the boat sides were slick and I was wearing tennis shoes and jeans.

The panic I felt was scary. All the stories of drowned fishermen
flashed through my mind. I finally worked my way to the back of the
boat and used the motor as a ladder to get in - not too easy, but I
made it.

I threw out a marker but the boat had drifted, there was a little
current. Then I remembered my sunglasses - my polarized, bifocal
prescription $300 sunglasses. They were on the bottom with my rod and
reel. If I had dropped a marker rather than grabbing for the rod I
probalby would have been able to snag it with a spoon - and I would
still have my sunglasses.

I was by myself, of course. At least nobody saw me! I am going to try
again to wear my Sospenders - getting too old to swim around like that!

Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com