I saw the post about a fishing vest that was found on the EFL...it reminded me of something that happened to my dad while we were on the Deschutes one day. FYI for now, my dad wears a ReelTree inflatable fishing vest....
One evening, dad and I were fishing accross from Trout Creek. While we were there, a boat pulled in near us...can't remember exactly, but I think there were two or three women in the boat. We chatted for a minute.
The next morning, we hooked up with Rob Krandall (sp?), a guide, who at the time was working for FMS. We had breakfast at Deschutes Crossing then headed out for a half-day drift back to TC. We stopped at the first set of islands to fish for about an hour. We were loading up to proceed downriver and my dad decided to go water a tree. When he was done, we hopped in the boat and started cruising to the next spot. We got about 500 yards downstream and dad realized he left his vest on the bank. :shocked:
Oh, he was upset. Rob asked what we wanted to do - dad, being the sport that he is, decided just to complete the trip as planned.
Once we finished the trip and returned to TC, Dad remembered that he had a three-person (yeah, right) raft in his truck. So, we grabbed it and a couple oars. We hitched a ride back to Warm Springs with Rob (since I left my truck there).
After Rob departed, we inflated the little boat and Dad set off downstream hoping to retrieve his vest. I hopped in the truck and drove to Mecca Flat where we would meet up. While I was at the "boat ramp" at Mecca, I noticed the boat with the women in it, who I'd seen the night before. I waved to them, they waved back and began rowing toward me.
They approached the bank, obviously recognizing from the previous evening, and asked me if my dad had lost his vest!!! I asked them how they could possibly know that. Then one of the gals lifted the vest from the bottom of their boat - she said, "I noticed him wearing this yesterday." Women......they notice all the details. I thanked them profusely and they proceeded down river. I hung the vest in a nearby tree and waited for my dad.
I looked upriver to see my dad floating down from about 500 yards upstream. Even from that distance, I could tell he was bummed....obviously he didn't find his vest on the island. He pulled up to the ramp almost in tears. I pointed to the tree where his vest was hanging and told him I found one just like his.
When I told him how I got it back, he about fell in the drink. Thanks to those ladies and their attention to detail.
Nice to know there are still some good people out there. BTW - we never saw them again.
Oh, yeah....we caught TONS of fish in that half-day float! Thanks to Rob and his expertise.
ORS
[ 02-09-2004, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: OregonRedside ]
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The Prodigal Fishing Vest
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