Re-Near Tragedy on the Kilchis

frankenfish · 12-05-2003, 09:51 PM

I appreciate all the contributions in the prior "Kilchis" posting. I am the inexperienced and admittedly idiotic oarsman on the doomed pontoon. I have named it "The Titanic".

MANY THANKS to the gentlemen who sent down the rope and knife. I would never have been able to cut my friend free without the knife, and the rope was invaluable as a safety harness to bolster him up and prevent him from falling back in.

We appreciate Bill Hedlund's help, and we'll contact him personally to thank him.

I would like to correct one misconception, however. We did not yell for help. I'm too ornery and stubborn to do that, as is my friend. (Especially since I got myself into the mess). The person yelling for help was the older gentleman who was fortunate enough (and smart enough), to turn down our offer of a fishing trip. He mentioned that he loved to fish, but that he was not able to anymore. We wanted to give him a good time, but of course, we are delighted he declined! Hey, there's nothing wrong with yelling for help, and it would probably be the smart thing to do, but it's just not like me!

We did salvage the boat, and I drifted down to the takeout without further mishap. Talked with Bill on the way down, and I must admit, I was a bit rapid shy, hugging the shore most of the way.

Our thanks to all who got involved. Though we are happy we did not need the services of the rescue personnel who responded, (I would not want to endanger others, even rescue personnel), We appreciated their quick response.

All the best. I'll be back on the Kilchis Sunday if it will fish. If I put in at the park, I'll land across on the gravel and rope it through. At least now I am more familiar with the river, having floated down to the bridge the other day and from the bridge to 101 earlier in a friend's driftboat.

I will be wearing a wader belt, an easily accessible knife, and a PFD, as will anyone with me. We'll get out and rope through any questionable water. NO MORE STUPID CHANCES!

Hey, where there are fish, there is hope. All the best,

Frank

Point-of-Sale Clerk · 12-05-2003, 10:05 PM

Welcome�
Cool story

Nice to see all is well

Old Coot · 12-05-2003, 10:06 PM

I submarined a power boat in Nestucca Bay back about 1964. Welcome to the club. How fortunate that there were people around willing and able to help.

crabbait · 12-05-2003, 10:11 PM

Welcome aboard, frankenfish.

Funny how cold water clears the head........

frankenfish · 12-05-2003, 10:17 PM

I want to let everyone know that the Kilchis is beautiful from underwater too. I have had the opportunity to see the worst of it from underneath. WHAT was I thinking?????

Silver Hilton · 12-05-2003, 10:25 PM

That there were fish down there somewhere, of course. As we all have...

There are two kinds of boaters, those that have had accidents, and those that will. Welcome to the first group. Glad that all you got was an education along the way.

skrimmy · 12-05-2003, 10:29 PM

Welcome aboard, definitely a candidate for the customary ifish "first story" with the best ending.

Woody · 12-05-2003, 10:35 PM

I was also introduced to ifish as a result of a (near) accident. My motor died on my little wood boat out in Tillamook bay and I almost got washed out to sea. Lucky for me Pilar came along and gave me a tow. It was a heck of a way to find this place, but I'm glad I did. I'm sure you will, too.

12-06-2003, 12:56 AM

Well Frank I'm glad we could help but not sure why you wouldn't call for help at some point. I would estimate the water temp being around 40 degrees and surely your friend would have suffered hypothermia.
My son was the one who brought you the knife and rope. I usually don't carry rope in my car but just happened to have it that day.
Anyway hope you can get your gear back but at lkeast you guys made it through okay and thank God no one was hurt and welcome to ifish.

SteelieSteve · 12-06-2003, 02:48 AM

Frankenfish
Sorry for any misconceptions I might have had. I thought it was you two that were yelling. Most of all I'm pleased that you both got out of that without further misfortune. I was happy to lend what small aid I could to get you the help that you needed and get Stew's son to get you that rope and knife. Hope you can retreive your lost gear. I still think you may want to pick a larger river like the Wilson to float and hone those rowing skills. Besides there are more fish in the Wilson. Welcome to Ifish.

Sturgeon 42 · 12-06-2003, 05:21 AM

Thats great you all are okay....

Thumper · 12-06-2003, 05:34 AM

Great job Stew and son.

I almost learned the hard way to carry a knife when on the water. Many years ago my sons and I were anchored in the Willamette shad fishing when we felt the nose of the boat start to sink. A big floating tree was riding right up our anchor rope. I nearly failed to get the rope cut in time. Keeping a knife very handy when on the water is a good practice.

lilnorthfork · 12-06-2003, 08:41 AM

I buried an anchor in my toon boat my second time out. When I reached for the knife on my waders to cut the rope, it was gone. Luckily I had my old scuba knife strapped to the boat. My aha!... carry more than one knife. Some lessons come harder than others. Glad you are all okay.

Jennie@ifish · 12-06-2003, 08:49 AM

Bill enjoyed meeting you, despite the circumstances.

Best of luck on your next venture, and stop by and say hi! (Please stay high and dry!)

:smile:
Jen

SHOUGALNITE · 12-07-2003, 07:57 PM

wow

frankenfish · 12-07-2003, 08:30 PM

Stew. I would not have called for help because we were in that position through our own stupidity, and we would not want to endanger others. I am not saying it's right, it's just the way it is. Thanks for the knife. Frank