Arkansas Man Drowns

[Mitch f]

Yea, once I launched in semi flood situation on the upstream side of a low water bridge. Sucked up some gravel on the initial run and the boat slammed against the bridge and quickly started to list, I just stepped up on the bridge got away safely, could have been much worse. That particular spot (Scott's Ford bridge) has had many canoeing accidents as well. Learned my lesson

[Al Agnew]

For most of us who are experienced, it's complacency that is dangerous. Most strainers are easy to avoid if you know how, and we can usually judge how dangerous they might be. But sometimes I get a little too casual about one, and that's when I've come close to getting in trouble.

For those who aren't experienced, like the average canoe or kayak renter, I'm always surprised that more of them don't get into really serious trouble, especially when the rivers are a little higher than normal but not so high that the liveries won't rent paddle craft. Even on a stream like the Huzzah or Courtois, put a foot or so more water than normal in it and there are some scary strainers. On a larger river like the Current, there are always some spooky strainers.

[Mark]

I have had 2 scary episodes that could have turned out bad in the past 15 years. On first I buried a canoe sideways in a strainer in the middle of a stream, when I dumped, my first instinct was to dive deep. Fortunately I went under the rootwad. On the second episode, I was wearing brand new knee high boots that must have weighed 4-5 lbs each. When I dumped in deep moving water, boots filled with water and were like 2 concrete blocks on my feet. Very scary episode.

I had to learn to respect the river and much more cautious now. I learned to swallow my pride and get out of the canoe and walk around trouble spots. Still, a couple cold ones and I get a little braver.