Be Safe

[riverhyker]

I can float with my jeans or ball cap. I know that if I am tired swimming to give in and sink long enough to give my muscles time to recupe....even if it is every 3 or 4 yards....I never panic because I know that it is detrimental.....I am naval trained....in big water....I would have normally been on the river 20+ times after the fish moved deeper in the lakes and the temps started to get to the point that I was sweating....I have been out once.....

But, rivers, current, strainers.....I would only know what is common sense if the water is high....I have a canoe, an inflatable kayak, and an SOT fishing kayak.....You won't catch me in/on any of those if the river is running over it's banks....RESPECT WATER....if it is to much to drink.....you may lose.....Why don't people understand that.

I am from OH....(where we don't normally walk rivers and why I decided to move/stay here), but there was a man from OH that died at one of my fishing/floating spots in Galena....I wish I was with him, because he would have had on a life jacket or/and not on the river if things were questionable.

If we are ever in water that we can't stand up in and especially if there is current....a life jacket is a must....I have swam around strainers after looking down river and the current was pushing me towards it.

I am unsure if we will receive more heavy rains, but please be safe and don't be the lead story on the nightly news....WEAR YOUR PFD IN WATER THAT WILL BE CLOSE TO YOUR CHIN....the current pushing and the slippery bottom can easily put you face down. Again if you can't drink it ALL it is too much water.