Sunken Boat @ Pothole

[Jeremy Rasnick]

I went to the Pothole one last week i'm not sure what day it was. I saw only one truck at the boat ramp at about 7:00 P.M. As I was motoring up the lake I noticed a foreign object. It was the bow of a boat sitting out on the flat just down stream from Silver Creek. If any of you folks have fished by boat around the rock pile near the dam durring such high water you can relate to the kind of eddie type current that pulls your boat towards the spillway. I immediatlly called "911" and reported the boat and dispatch told me that they were aware of the situation and water patrol was on the way. We kept our eyes pilled and ended up talking with water patrol and he stated that the gentleman was un-accounted for, we helped search the shorline for the rest of the evening all the way back down the river run side only to find nothing.

I haven't heard any status on this but im assuming the fisherman made it too the shore......if anybody is aware of this keep us posted.

This is a slap in the face Reminder to wear a life jacket when navigating waters such as the pothole at night.

[Steve Smith]

The problem is even with a life vest, the winter water temps can take you out if you don't get out and dry in a hurry. I've lost a few friends due to hypothermia, and in most cases, it was just a stupid mistake. The real issue is a dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold water. Anybody who fishes at night or otherwise should be well educated on the dangers, and how to try and survive if you fall overboard. Let's all be careful out there.

[MoCarp]

everyone say a prayer

[taxidermist]

The boat was there Friday, I posted it on here. It looked like an older tri-hull.

You have to pay attention when fishing any waters that are like the running portions of White River.

[Steve Smith]

• Another thought that we should all remember is the dangers of hypothermia are also a threat in our cold water fisheries. Falling into the water while wading or boating on Taneycomo or any cold water fishery is just a dangerous as on the lakes. The shore may be closer, but not close enough. At body temperatures below 95°F, shivering begins, along with a sudden increase in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. At body temperatures below 82.4°F, reflexes are lost and cardiac output continues to fall. The risk of dangerously irregular heart rhythms increases, and brain activity is seriously slowed. The pupils are dilated, and the victim appears comatose or dead. Depending on the water temperature, symptoms can appear in less than 15 minutes, and survival time can be as little as 45 minutes if the body’s core temperature is not restored. The last thing I’d want to read on this forum is the loss of good friends I have made here. And, yes MOCARP, prayer is called for.

[Wayne SW/MO]

You run that area at your own peril for sure. The channel swaps sides between the dam and River Run and there's a stump on the south side of one change. There's also a couple of shoals.

I hope the boater made it out OK, but you would think he would have needed help and there's not much secret in Forsyth.

[WebFreeman]

There's a little "creek" (I think it's called Silver Creek) about half way there. There's a shoal there you can see on Google Earth and a boulder in the channel about the size of a volkswagon. I've run aground on that shoal going idle speed in the fog, but the water was REALLY low, so much so that it was a riffle.

You'd think we'd hear something on the news if someone were missing or killed.

[Dan Pemby]

Nothing posted on Missouri State Water patrol site either. I sure hope they are ok.

[PowersiteProwler]

Has anyone heard anymore about this? Is the boat still there?

That part of the lake is one that needs to be surveyed carfully before you proceed closer to the dam, especially if you are not familiar or a first time boater in that channell. I've see years where you could walk across from silver creek to the other side of the lake it was just that shallow. (some of the best years for catching White Bass as well when the water levels were that low) Other years the water level is up enough that it is of very little concern. Water levels were up enough that I even boated up silver creek and caught some fish. Between Swan and the dam is one of my favorie places to fish, but it is very important to survey the water levels along with the current. Depending on the water coming from the Dam, well that can also get tricky if you are fighting a swift current! Let's hope that no one was injured.

[713lefty]

I hate to hear about a sunken boat and hope the boater's OK. As previously stated, be careful and dress accordingly.

During deer season, I also spend some time bass fishing. I always layer with fleece or polyester. This year, I was fishing alone and fell out of the boat into 45 degree water. My life jacket floated me. My long johns and fleece shirts (3) and lambswool socks and lightweight goretex boots kept me warm. I swam with the boat over to the shoreline about 50 feet away and bailed it out. Then trolled back to the dock. I was soaked for 30 minutes total. Only my hands got cold as I had no gloves. That good quality clothing (and a God that loves me) is why I'm able to type this. And yes I've begun to pray more!