In The Dark

[rpnsteelheadlps]

What a great run. One more cast,ok one more. Oh crap it's getting dark I better get going. Crap to late it's getting dark. Double crap no flashlight,double double crap no phone.I finally got back to my car at 11:00pm. Did I mention I was at the Gauge Hole on the Sandy? The only way I new where I was going was by the texture of the ground under my feet. To make things worse I spooked an Elk at less than 25 yards in the dark.

[Dinikin]

Maybe if you had matches.?
It is a fact that people who smoke have better chance to survive catastrophic event so to speak, cause they alway have light,
Stealhead fishing in the dark is great,(legal hours of course), I read STS article Steelheading in the dark, that helped alot.

[mophile]

This just about happened to me last week, but I had not done anything about it. I don't know where the Gauge Hole is, but if it took you 5 hours to find your car, I don't think I want to. There is a new mini flashlight in my vest as we speak!!

[rpnsteelheadlps]

Lets just say I was very nervous to say the least. The gauge hole is about a 20 minute walk or so from the parking lot in the light.

[rpnsteelheadlps]

I ruined my waders, my rod and my wading boots crashing the brush. My hands are all torn up and scabbed. It wasn't a pretty site at all. I almost gave up twice to wait it out until light. You would be amazed what the mind can do to you in the woods after dark.

[SandyRiverRon]

20 minute walk from the bridge at Dodge to the gauge hole...dude there is a spot in the Boston Marathon for you...you're like lightening.

[rpnsteelheadlps]

How long of a walk is it? That was my first tim einto that spot.

[Water Ready]

I've never been to that hole but glad you didn't make the evening news. :shocked: I betting that after about 3 hours in the dark, you were praying to trip over a 6 pak of Bud-Light! Those little key chain micro lights work good in a pinch. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Happy fishn' :smile:

[ampersat]

My first trip to Cedar Creek on the Sandy, it was getting dark on the way out. I ended up coming back up the mountain goat trail instead of the other one. That trip taught me to leave early enough to make it back to the rig while it's still light out. I still don't carry a flashlight although one of those little micro LED flashlights sounds like a really good idea for those just in case situations.

Glad you survived the trip out and sorry about your gear.

[SandyRiverRon]

15 minutes to the Pipe at a good pace....Gauge is twice as far or maybe a little more...35 to 40 minutes for the normal man.

[Silver Hilton]

Sounds like a good experience, once you're back in the car!

[FishingNewbie]

i'm really glad you made it back to your car in one piece. i am terrified of being lost in the woods in the dark. i just KNOW i'm going to walk into a huge spiderweb... i get the willies just thinking about it. i got my hubby one of those LED clip on lites for christmas for those "just in case" situations. he tends to stay as late as possible, and if you have a walk back to the car, that can be miserable.

[salmurai]

Pickup and carry one of those LED headlamps. Very handy in the dark, leaves both hands free to hang onto stuff. They're light and compact and the batteries run a long time.

[SKP]

There's a fishing hole I know on the Santiam that takes 30 minutes to hike to. I've been spooked many times by cows, deer, and dogs. I've forgotten my flashlight a couple times, and WOW, you have to tuck your liver back down your throat after getting spooked! :shocked: I've even had a train go by a couple times. Part of the hike is down railroad tracks.

Glad you made it out safely!

SKP

[rpnsteelheadlps]

Key word is FLASHLIGHT, FLASHLIGHT, FLASHLIGHT

[go fisch]

SKP
I know exactly where you are talking about. Been there before.