Fishing Forum

[cool][#0000ff]It is about that time when the weather warms up and everybody goes running off into the wilds to have a good time. Unfortunately, we often forget some of the things that can help prevent injury, accident or illness on our trips. We tend to forget some of the essentials during a long cold winter, like some say we are still having.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here are a few of the things I can think of that might help...especially right now.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. Be careful around streams that are full of runoff water...especially if you have young children.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. Ditto for cold water lakes. Falling in is unpleasant at best, and can be deadly if you are in the water very long. Always have a PFD within reach, even if you aren't wearing one. Never have a child on the water without them having theirs on.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]3. SUNSCREEN. The angle of the sun is such that it doesn't take long to get burned...especially if you are still winter white. Even more important than preventing pain is preventing skin cancer. People die from that stuff. If possible, wear long sleeves and a hat for further protection.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]4. Make sure your vehicles are in good mechanical condition. Breakdowns in remote spots are not only embarassing but dangerous. Ditto for boats.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]5. Bug repellent. The skeeters are coming out and they may be carrying more than an itch. West Nile virus is increasing and is not worth risking a bite.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]6. First aid kits. Always have a kit in cars, boats and other vehicles, especially if you are going to be in a remote area. And, know how to use the stuff inside. Also, if you don't know CPR...learn.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]7. Communicate. Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return. That could save your life if you become disabled somewhere.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]8. PHYSICAL CONDITION: Don't write "macho checks" that your body can't cash. After a winter of inactivity (for some), don't try to do anything and everything on the first weekend you bust loose. Avoid injury or worse by using good sense.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]9. WILDLIFE; Watch out for bears and other potentially dangerous critters. Rattlesnakes are coming out of hibernation and will be found in a lot of spots also favored by humans for recreation. The attached pics were taken on Mothers Day, just west of Riverton, in an area popular for rockhounding and wheeling.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I'm sure I overlooked a few things. Anybody else have any suggestions?[/#0000ff]
[signature]

Just how close did you get to take these amazing pictures?

I have two things to add that may come in handy for someone one day:


[ol][li]Be careful walking on the banks of rivers. The runnoff and spring warmth can change the consistency of the soil. The banks can sink or collapse very fast.[/li][li]It is nice to carry a long, wide, rain coat. It is no fun to get soaking wet-underwear, shoes, and all-in a spring storm.[/li][/ol]
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]I have taken plenty of snake pictures in my career, especially when I lived in Arizona. But, those pics were sent to me by a family member whose work associate found them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Just thought they would make a good visual for the warning.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here's a picture I took "up close and personal" beside a lake in Arizona.[/#0000ff]

[signature]

Thanks for the tips TD. Those pictures sent chills up my spine !!
[signature]

I really didn't need to see those pics. I don't want to leave my house now.[crazy]
[signature]

critters like that is the reason man invented 12 ga. shotguns with heavy 3in lead shot. I was bit by a copperhead when I was a kid and have been scared of snakes ever since. I have been known to impose my will on them. Now I gotta go take a prozac and clean my gun.LOL

pa
[signature]

Me too. Sickening.[crazy]
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]Not good to kill snakes. They have a place in the ecology and most of them will try to get away from you if they can. You don't have to love them, but you don't have to kill them either.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Would you believe that most snake bites in the US are the result of people trying to catch or kill poisonous snakes. There is also a statistic about the percentage of snake bites that are "alcohol involved". Maybe that is where we got the notion that booze is good for snake bites. Yeah...for getting them, if not healing them.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

Just to further TubeDudes warnings about snakes. I use to live in Arizona at the Colorado River. My mother found a snake in February hiding under a large log, huge.

But the real loss came when my German Shepherd got bit. We thought it taught her a lesson the first time and it didn't. She went out and got bit again. While I feel responsible for this, I wish she would have had more "snake sense" like so many dogs did in the area.

Please take note that most dogs are stupid when they venture out.

My cousins were once hiking around Alpine, just north of American Fork in Utah County. And their Siberian Husky got bit.

So please be aware Utah is snake country!
[signature]

I found a snake den before but nothing like this. All garden snakes.
[signature]

I am glad that I didn't find that.... ewwww... [frown]
[signature]

Those pictures were taken up around Riverton Wy.
[signature]

[cool][#0000ff]Could be. In the email I got it just said Riverton.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I know there are plenty of snakes in the hills around Utah Lake. Also a bunch around Mantua.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There was a brief news item on TV the other night about a couple who lost their dog (from snakebite) while hiking on the west bench somewhere.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

#3 - Even with long sleeves and a hat, you should still wear sunblock!

A few weeks ago, I was at an outdoor charity event. It was windy and chilly, so I had a jacket on. I also hand sunglasses and a baseball cap on...so of course, I figured I was safe. Noooo.
Got home that night, and realized I was burnt! Next day I had lobster claws for hands (red and swollen), and my nose and forehead blistered! As TD said, sun angles are odd, so even with a hat, there's chance of exposure.

So...sunscreen on your face and hands! And any other part not covered.
[signature]

[#0000ff]Would you believe that most snake bites in the US are the result of people trying to catch or kill poisonous snakes. There is also a statistic about the percentage of snake bites that are "alcohol involved". Maybe that is where we got the notion that booze is good for snake bites. Yeah...for getting them, if not healing them!! [/#0000ff][#000000]I agree with you 100% Pat. " Hold my beer and watch this $h!T" Been there seen that he is just lucky he didnt get Bit!! M.H.[/#000000]
[signature]

[size 4][#4f81bd][font "Cambria"]Your post is right on time, I had an experience this weekend which is right in line with the idea that you must always respect the outdoors and prepare for the worst. My dad is here visiting from Michigan. We decided to fish Lost Creek on Sunday hoping to get some trout...beautiful day turned ugly when we decided to park the boat at 11am and walk a ravine. Dad ended up at the top of one of the foothills that surround Lost Creek. As he started down he slipped, fell 10ft, and broke his ankle and lower leg. I immediately headed his way it took 5-7 minutes for me to get to his position to ensure it was not an open fracture and he was not going into shock. I then headed back to the boat, drove across the lake, and then to the truck. No cell phone reception, thank God for On star they linked me to the Morgan fire dept, which responded as quick as they could but he laid there for 2 hrs before paramedics could get to him. They quickly determined the only way to get him out was via air lift. This is an eye opener for us sportsman fishing remote areas; even though I requested air lift from the beginning they will not authorize until there ground team makes that determination. The air lift did finally arrive after 3hrs and got him to the hospital. Its crucial that everyone understands that modern day response time can still be substantial to these areas, injurys sustained can turn life threatening while waiting for help. I believe in this situation we were lucky, valuable lessons learned here for our family. Dad is doing fine they did surgery on Sunday and he is coming home today. There was other fisherman at Lost Creek who did lend a hand, thanks to everyone. Also I apologize to anyone out there on Sunday I may have gone by you at 65-70mph during the response time, I do know it is a wake less lake, but under the circumstances I had no choice. [/font][/#4f81bd][/size]
[signature]

I have a den of snakes on my place in central Utah that they tag and study them some years...

They are the small type and said to be some of the type that live in the south part of the state, and this group is about the most northen group...
[signature]