Drowning Anglers Escape Death on Walleye Opener
Friday may 12th was walleye season opening day on famous Lac Saint Pierre.
Mike Walleye, Patrick Malservisi, and myself, got up early and put the boat in the water in nearby Sorel, a stone's throw away from our favorite early season walleye spot.
Winds were very strong on the big lake, but somewhat tamer between the islands, where we were set to go spend the day.
The morning was successful, with a dozen good sized 'eyes. There were at one point 27 other boats fishing the same area featuring a huge submerged dam that crosses a channel about 5oo yards across. Of course the walleye just finished spawning and they were all stacked there, protected from the strong currents, resting and feeding before migrating to their summer pools in the Saint Lawrence seaway channel.
Around lunch time we decided to try another spot. The winds had picked up quite a bit since our arrival, so much so that about half the boats had decided to leave. When that spot proved unsuccessful, we came back to the big dam.
As we approached, we spotted boat seats and a fuel tank floating in the huge waves leading up to the dam. Then we saw a tacklebox, then a knapsack. Something happened here and we were really afraid for the worse.
Another boat pulls up, the 2 men inside explained that they had just finished rescuing 2 other men who were fihsing the area in a tiny rowboat with an antique motor. When the motor died on them, they lost control of the boat, and waves started pouding them from the side, filling the boat until it sank.
Because of the strong winds, nobody could see or hear the 2 sinking men until these guys fortunately happened to look in their direction and noticed the 2 scrambling to save themselves as the boat was sinking.
In any case, by the time they got there, the boat had sunk. One man was hanging on to the fuel tank (which we salvaged minutes later), the other was barely able to keep his head above water.
Both were not wearing their safety vests.
When we finished picking up the floating gear, and made it to shore, we were greeted by 2 trembling men, one of them a younger lad, the other possibly his father.
While the young guy tried to make light of the situation, the old man was in a state of shock. I could read the terror in his eyes.
Please remember:
- don't set out on big water adventure with small watercraft designed for little ponds. Lac Saint Pierre is just not the place for 14 foot rowboats.
- when the wind picks up, make sure to wear your safety vests, no matter what size boat you have. I'll be the first to admit that when I kow the body of water I am on, and the weather is beautiful, my vest is on deck, not on me. But when conditons change, it comes on.
Mike Walleye, Patrick Malservisi, and myself, got up early and put the boat in the water in nearby Sorel, a stone's throw away from our favorite early season walleye spot.
Winds were very strong on the big lake, but somewhat tamer between the islands, where we were set to go spend the day.
The morning was successful, with a dozen good sized 'eyes. There were at one point 27 other boats fishing the same area featuring a huge submerged dam that crosses a channel about 5oo yards across. Of course the walleye just finished spawning and they were all stacked there, protected from the strong currents, resting and feeding before migrating to their summer pools in the Saint Lawrence seaway channel.
Around lunch time we decided to try another spot. The winds had picked up quite a bit since our arrival, so much so that about half the boats had decided to leave. When that spot proved unsuccessful, we came back to the big dam.
As we approached, we spotted boat seats and a fuel tank floating in the huge waves leading up to the dam. Then we saw a tacklebox, then a knapsack. Something happened here and we were really afraid for the worse.
Another boat pulls up, the 2 men inside explained that they had just finished rescuing 2 other men who were fihsing the area in a tiny rowboat with an antique motor. When the motor died on them, they lost control of the boat, and waves started pouding them from the side, filling the boat until it sank.
Because of the strong winds, nobody could see or hear the 2 sinking men until these guys fortunately happened to look in their direction and noticed the 2 scrambling to save themselves as the boat was sinking.
In any case, by the time they got there, the boat had sunk. One man was hanging on to the fuel tank (which we salvaged minutes later), the other was barely able to keep his head above water.
Both were not wearing their safety vests.
When we finished picking up the floating gear, and made it to shore, we were greeted by 2 trembling men, one of them a younger lad, the other possibly his father.
While the young guy tried to make light of the situation, the old man was in a state of shock. I could read the terror in his eyes.
Please remember:
- don't set out on big water adventure with small watercraft designed for little ponds. Lac Saint Pierre is just not the place for 14 foot rowboats.
- when the wind picks up, make sure to wear your safety vests, no matter what size boat you have. I'll be the first to admit that when I kow the body of water I am on, and the weather is beautiful, my vest is on deck, not on me. But when conditons change, it comes on.
Labels: Fishing Trips
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