BOATING SAFETY

First and foremost, boating in a larger river can be more dangerous than boating in a lake due to fast currents and turbulence.

Make sure you have enough power to navigate the river safely. Sorry guys, but when the river is high a small outboard just will not fight the current. It can put you in serious danger.

Make sure you have a good anchor and a good anchor line. 20 ft of line is advisable. Carrying a spare anchor is smart in case you have to cut a line. This will ensure that in the case of a lost anchor or having to cut your line you can still anchor if you have engine problems and are not left to the mercy of the river.

River navigation can be tricky due to heavy currents, underwater obstructions, and turbulence. Novice or new boaters should be very wary of going into the river in the spring. I highly recommend a boating instruction course from the coast guard, the fee is nominal and it could save your life.

Always, always, always have and use Pfd's, They do you no good lying in the bottom or stuffed under a seat, you usually will not have time to find them and put them on. Old Pfd's should be tested periodically for buoyancy; the materials tend to degrade over time due to temperature changes and UV. Pfd's must be fitted correctly for them to work properly.

Never, ever, anchor off of the stern. The force put on the stern by the fast moving water can capsize a boat instantly. ALWAYS ANCHOR FROM THE BOW.

If you feel unsure about heading into the river in a boat, don't go. It is better to wait until the rivers has receded, or go with someone experienced than risk your life for a few fish.

Always have a way of communication while on the water, air horns, cell phones, or handheld marine radio so you can contact someone if trouble arises.

If something does happen, remain calm, panicking in a bad situation can kill you.

Aluminum boats are advisable. Wooden and fiberglass boats can suffer serious damage by the wicked rocks under the surface.

Remember that with the common low temperatures and dangers of hypothermia that there is more at stake than a few fish or your watercraft. It could be your life, a family member, or a friend.

WADING SAFETY

Buy a pair of good tight fitting waders.

Wear a wading belt so if you slip in the river your waders will not fill to the top and sink you like a stone.

Pfd's are not only for boats, survival jackets such as the Mustang Jacket are a little costly, but compared to your life, what is cost really?

There are all kinds of Pfd's nowadays, besides the old orange ones. There are rapid inflatable ones, some look and function like a fishing vest, while others are double duty immersion jackets and Pfd.. A little investment can go along ways. You may never have to use it, in this case it is insurance. Conversely, should you use it once I am sure the benefits of having it far outweigh the slight drawbacks commonly associated with their use.

If the water is cold and you can't feel your feet, it is time to get out and get the circulation going. It could be very tough wading and very dangerous with no/little feeling in the lower extremities.

If you are an inexperienced wader, proceed slowly and with caution. I see people every year try to walk through the water like they are on dry land and fall in the river. It only takes one rock and the current to trip you up. Wading staffs are very handy for stabilizing your body in the current.

Wading swift current can stress and fatigue your legs. Never fish till you are exhausted then try to wade back across a swift channel.

Pay attention to the water levels. They can rise swiftly. This river is a tributary with a drainage area of 6,330 square miles - a little rain can add up quickly. You can get stranded on islands and rockbars if you are oblivious to changing conditions. Obvious signs you are encountering changing conditions is an increase in turbidity, larger amount of debris than you have seen that day, sticks, leaves, etc, floating down river. All of the sudden you need more weight to get your lure to the bottom.

Don't take chances - they can be your last. Some areas are easier to access by larger people, i.e. heavier and taller individuals, especially during transitional water. Just because someone else is on an island doesn't mean it is safe for everyone to cross.

It is great to take your kids fishing; I take mine fishing, but not wading in that river in the spring. Please realize the limitations of young people in judgment, strength, and endurance. They can be in danger and not even know it. It is not worth endangering them. If you want to take them out fishing, take them during the post spawn/white bass season when the river is often times lower, more predictable and temperatures are higher.

Sometimes the best part of fishing is returning home, remember that some never make it back.

All of the information above is meant as a resource for a safe, enjoyable, experience on the river. Safety is not always everyone's priority, but a small amount of preparation can save your life or someone else's. Every year people perish on this river due to unsafe behavior. There are things on that river at stake other than your reputation as a good fisherman. Use your head, keep calm, and have fun but never lose your respect for the river.