You fish alone?

[Goose]

Does anyone know the story of Aron Ralston the outdoor adventurer? A while back I seen him the Letterman show telling his story. If your not familiar with it, in short, it goes something like this.

He's hiking alone in the canyons. While climbing, a loose boulder rolls and pins his wrist to the canyon wall. He has 22 ozs of water left and holds out for a while but after a long ordeal he ends up amputating his arm in order to save his life. He has a camera and small video camera. Its a good book with pictures too.

In the book, almost an hour into realizing he's in deep chit, he states... "I violated the prime directive travel in failing to leave a detailed trip plan with a responsible person."

I do a lot of fishing and hunting alone and never tell anyone my where abouts. I find it to be a pain in the @$$ to draw a map or write directions as to where I'm going. Sometimes I'll bring the cell phone but not always. There are fishy places with no reception. Its not the outback but we still need to realize the dangers and use extra cation.

[BigFish]

Its a good idea in theory....but while fishing often times its a fluid situation (no pun intended) and plans can change from one minute to the next depending on weather conditions, surf, tide, lack of bait or fish.....you might decide to change spots once or twice in an outing? I won't be calling anyone at 2:00 am to tell them I am changing spots! It is what it is......spontaneous fun! There is danger every time you head out....I fish with a buddy 50 percent of the time.....the other 50 percent I am on my own!

[vineyardblues]

I fished alone more in the late 70's early 80's.
Now the only time I fish alone is just to get out of the house when on the cape to escape the in-laws...lol
So the answer is no.
Most of the time I have a friend or 2

Freshwater yes Maybe if the ocean was down the street it would be a huge YES,,,, ice fishing NO,
VB

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by vineyardblues

I fished alone more in the late 70's early 80's.
Now the only time I fish alone is just to get out of the house when on the cape to escape the in-laws...lol
So the answer is no.
Most of the time I have a friend or 2

Freshwater yes Maybe if the ocean was down the street it would be a huge YES,,,, ice fishing NO,
VB

THERES NO RECEPTION ON THE VINEYARD ANYWAYS!!!!!!

[BigBo]

Preparation is the key. I still fish alone quite often. Back in the '70's I would fish the North River in my skiff. One time out there, it was getting late and a very bad storm had kicked up with no warning. I was very lucky just to make my way back in through the inlet into the river and had already taken on quite a bit of water. I ended up beaching the skiff on Truants Island, flipping the skiff over and sleeping (if you want to call it that) under it there for the night. My family was pretty worried about me, but knew me for taking off for the whole night at times. Come daybreak, everything looked a lot different and was able to dry off and head home. I really could have used a few more supplies like drinking water and such.

[ilovetwofish]

I fish alone about 70% of the time about 65% of that is with some light. I always have my cell phone and try to let my wife know were I am unless at a bar.

[Goose]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Its a good idea in theory....but while fishing often times its a fluid situation (no pun intended) and plans can change from one minute to the next

You make a good point. Getting your foot jammed in a rock and having a wave awkwardly twist it or breaking it is about as rare as what happened to A. Ralston. I have heard of these accidents/situations in the surf.

When we hear so and so's body was found, we never know the details leading up to his death. Anytime you put yourself out there, there is some risk.

[eelman]

Where is the fun without the risk? Gotta go sometime, doesnt matter, when the number is up its up..Fishing isnt exactly bungee jumping..Its a dangerous as you make it

[Goose]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

Where is the fun without the risk? Gotta go sometime, doesnt matter, when the number is up its up..Fishing isnt exactly bungee jumping..Its a dangerous as you make it

That's true, I'm probably goin over board thinking of the worst case scenarios.

[Bazza]

I usually fish alone. I try tell my wife or some one in my family the area where I am going, and will call again when I am finishing ( if it is not to late ). I usually bring my cell phone, and this past year I kept it in a water tight bag.

[Clogston29]

I fish alone alot. I like it. I accept the risk. Someone usually knows about where I'll be, but if I decide to move, I don't worry about it. If something happens, something happens. That being said, I'm not stupid and I do what I can reasonably do to stay safe (although I just can't bring myself to do the pdf thing).

My wife hates it when I wetsuit alone, she just can't accept that its safer than waders at most spots (i don't do any far swims alone) so I just don't tell her.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Goose

Does anyone know the story of Aron Ralston the outdoor adventurer? A while back I seen him the Letterman show telling his story. If your not familiar with it, in short, it goes something like this.

He's hiking alone in the canyons. While climbing, a loose boulder rolls and pins his wrist to the canyon wall. He has 22 ozs of water left and holds out for a while but after a long ordeal he ends up amputating his arm in order to save his life.

Amazing! Something just like that happened to Flap while fishing.........only it wasn't his arm and he was peeing in a washed up lobster pot at the time.

[nightfighter]

[Rockfish9]

I fish alone %90 of the time, most nights, two maybe 3 people could find me, anyone who spends serious time on the water ( or in the woods for that matter) will eventualy run into trouble, it's the nature of the sport, it's how you handle those troubles that determines the outcome.... As I've told my wife,many times, dont worry about me, I'lll do my best to be carefull,I take all the precations needed to be as safe as possible,I no longer take risks, nearly 40 years of striper fishing has taught me no fish is worth dieing for, but if some disaster befalls me, know that I perished doing what I love most... it sure beats the hell out of sitting in a rocking chair in an old age home waiting for the inevitable...

Roc

[afterhours]

i fish alone about 50% of the time- wife hates it.......i was talking to the vs boys at the swe show about saftey and they carry whistles, strobes, and flares when swimming dangerous waters- pretty damned smart!

[pmueller]

Its a good idea. The more the conditions vary the more important.
Story in point, me and a few of the guys I knew were fishing some backwater spots in Jersey late one season. It was productive. One of those spots that was tidal, and if your drift was of a little off and the tide was low, you were in trouble. One of the guys had to spend the night on the deck of his boat. Temps were real cold. He was lucky to make it out. Like above, he didn't get home till the next day. Later that week some commercial guys weren't so lucky.
Its one thing if your just going out fluking in the afternoon in the bay. Its another thing drifting for bass late November early December.
You gotta think of your loved ones little. Give them at least a hint were your going.

[Swimmer]

If I go by myself I leave a written plan of every possible place I might be. I always at least start in the first written spot, but from there it could change. My wife demands it of me. I am surprised she doesn't check that I have my Sospenders in the truck and water and so on.

Oh ya, just like when your a little kid..........have i.d. and phone info stuck somewhere in water proof container.

[striperman36]

Most of the time, I fish alone night or day. That way I can fish the way I want and where I want.
My wife knows where I am
I also make sure my safety gear is up to snuff. I always where my SOS gear and when the motor is in gear, had the deadman attached to my person. I extended the deadman to reach the trolling rods and back to the tackle center.
I always carry my cellphone, but your'e right. I don't have a waterproof phone. WTF, does anybody know of a waterproof, not splash proof phone?

[InTheHole]

99% of the time I am fishing with someone, usually family and I actually enjoy that more than fishing alone. But I love to hunt alone, unless I have to set up 300+ goose decoys in the dark... then the more the merrier!

[Steve K]

I fish 99% of the time alone. I tell my wife where I am going. If I get into real trouble, I know that I am screwed. I try not to make stupid decisions and put my life at risk over catching a fish but accidents do happen.

[eastendlu]

When i fish alone i tell my wife were i'll be and a time that i should be back give or take 1 hr. after that i tell her call the coast guard cause i'm swmming.

[PaulS]

I fish alone 95% of the time. I usually tell the boss where I'm going but unfortun. if I ran into a problem she couldn't help. My problems would mostly be staying too long on a reef and not being able to walk in safely, etc. The problem would occur to quick for help.

If I was hunting, I think it would be a differnt story. Prob. even leaving a note in your house or in the car would help.

[chris L]

98% of the time I fish alone


I always tell the wife the area I will be fishing just in case she needs to id me . I dont worry about it or think about it . the day will come and there isnt anything I can do about it .

believe in your faith !!! If I die its Gods ( enter your own ) choice and my time here is over . on to the next gig !

[reelecstasy]

I fish alone probably 80% of the time, both shore and kayak. I try to always let someone know where I am launching from and an approx time I will be in. Same with the shore, I try and give the 3 possibilities of where to find me and the tide I will be fishing.

[Pete F.]

I fish alone most of the time, though I do tell my wife where I am going: Maine or Rhode Island
I guess I really should be better

[Blitzseeker]

I fish alone........
yeaaah, with nobody else......
you know when I fish alone.....
I prefer to be by myself.....




It is actually rare that I fish alone....usually with others. Have only surf fished alone maybe 12-15 times in my life.

[Adam_777]

I fish alone all the time.I've had to cut my arm off on a few occasions.I always keep a needle and thread to sew it back on for the long walk home.Sucks walking armless back to the truck....unless the mosquitos are in thick.

[Jenn]

Freshwater fishing I tend to do more alone....I USED to do more striper fishing alone but now its generally done with my hubby. I guess all the times friends/family yelling at me that I could be mugged, raped, killed, etc. and having my share of strange encounters finally sunk in.

I worry more about the snowmobiling. Even though we never ride alone my husband and I ride in places where if we were unable to get back we could easily die without a soul finding us for days. A major problem and 50 miles from the nearest anything we could be in a world of chit. Sure we know the cardinal rule "leave you destination plans and ETAs with someone" but we never do.....

[BillM]

I have my Honey turn off her cell phone so I dont wake her, then I can just call and leave messages as I go from one place to another. Any trouble -I just call the house phone. The scariest thing that I ever experienced was a buck with antlers charging down my path. Thank God he kept on going. How could you prepare for that? pick up a big rock maybe!