A fishing Story

I had a meltdown at work yesterday, just lost my mind told the boss off, threw a binder across the office and left. So I went into the office until about 10am this morning and decided to have a mental day off. So I left, drove about an hour and was back on the river catching trout on the Yuba River.... 10-12 fish ranging 6" to 15", only lost a handful, however I had a very near death experience. I decided to wade across the river, it looked shallow enough and not moving too fast, that was until I got about half way across. I could barely keep my footing, and it happened. I slipped into the water, feet upstream body headed down stream. I got myself turned around so I could plant my feet somewhere and my waders began to fill with water...This is bad. Of course I rarely use my waist belt that goes around the top of your gut so your waders don't fill up, and today was one of those days I did not have it.. So I got my knife out to cut away my waders but I finally got my feet planted and was able to stand up right, but now I'm in the middle of the river with full waders soaking wet. I was literally shaking. It was one of the dumbest fishing errors I have made in a long time. I stood in the water frozen, not knowing exactly how I was going to get myself out of this jam. I did not have a choice I had to keep going, so I managed to reach the other side of the river. That's great and everything, but my truck was on the side I just left and I really needed to get back to that side at some point. First things first, I striped down and emptied my waders and boots of water. Fished a couple of the seams in my underwear that drew me to wade across the stupid river to begin with :-) 2 fish btw... And then began to plan my crossing back to the side my truck was at. Fortunately I found a tree that had a few branches that needed trimming and made myself a staff, found a little shallower slower stretch of water and made it back across. Soaking wet, embarrassed and actually shaking from fear. I think my dad was watching over me today, probably glad I was OK, but shaking his head for the things he taught me that I pretty much ignored. Sorry Pop. I sure miss fishing with you


Lessons learned. Don't fish alone where no one knows where you are.Get a wading staff.Don't make stupid river decisions when you are by yourself.Wear the damned wader waist beltAlways carry a sharp knife.Fishing in your undies ain't half bad.Everything in your fishing vest should be waterproof (mine was).And fishing the other side of the river is not always the better side....:-)And always keep a good supply of TP in a zip lock, it came in handy today :-) Thank you Dad!