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I fell in the River Saturday.....

Andy Cooper

Andy Cooper

Senior Member
Well not so much fell but slipped in, I was fishing my club stretch on The Severn its just below Ironbridge the banks are not dangerous at all, not like certain parts of The Severn or The Teme or The Wye.
No its a very safe place to fish.

The only thing that happened was we had 3 or 4 heavy showers during the day which softened the bank a bit...

Paddy the guy i was fishing with came round to my swim round about 4.30pm he had run out of meat and had packed in, and seeing as the fishing was as bad as it was (14 Salmon Parr and a net of tiddlers) managed to lose the only Barbel i hooked....:( I decided to pack in as well, a trip to the pub was needed.

Everything was put away and i attempted to leave the swim and got half way up the bank and went arse over tit and landed on the platform i had been fishing off all day, Paddy was ****ing himself.....

Right i thought i'll have to get out the side of the swim, less mud more grass not as steep easy peasy..... No three quarters of the way up and my footing went and thats it i was in The Severn:eek::eek:

Now luckily it was quite shallow in the margin and i did manage to keep one foot on the river bed..

If the river would have been in flood (when it fishes best and my favourite conditions) i would have been a gonna..

If Paddy hadn't of been there i would of been a gonna, it was paddy's quick thinking that got me to unload all the tackle off my back. My rod holdall and carryall were pulling me deeper.

I was just standing there like a plum realising there was no way out without help.

Paddy was banging his feet in the bank to get a secure foothold, it seemed like ages but was probably only a minute or so, he got down to me and gave me a hand out.

I was glad of the help without it i wouldnt have been able to get out, of course as soon as i was out paddy was ****ing himself with laughter:p

As soon as we got back to the car then he was straight on the phone...

When we got back to the pub everyone was in the know, my new nick names range from The Sea Cow to Aqua Man...

So a big thank you to Paddy.......

And be careful on the banks guys:)
 
In the drink

Something that a few friends and I have considered is that when you have a slippery steep bank, screw one of those metal corkscrew dog retainer jobbos at the top of the bank and attach a decent bit of rope stretching down to the water. You don't need much help to get out of sticky situations.
 
Dog spikes are the king of all safety equipment for us river fisher's.
 
Ideally, take your heavy tackle bags off before going down, and push them up the bank when you finish the session.
 
no matter what the swim i always put the dog spike in first.you never know.i once fell in with my basket through both arms and fell backwards and could not get the basket off.my young son shoved the landing net handle to me and i got to the bank.{nice one keith].suffice to say i never have both arms through the strap now.i was treadind 10ft of water at the time.
albert:)
 
Did you have a hand warmer with you?

They are very useful if you fall in , to help warm your hands......
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:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D




Seriously though guys, I`ve been mulling this scenario over for a while now and Saturday compounded it.

I had a moment last year when, without having Deano a few foot away, I`d have gone for a dip into seven feet of water. He saved my skin that evening for sure.

Being that a lot of my autumn barbelling is done in the dark, on my own and (hopefully) in awful conditions I have been considering a self inflating life jacket, maybe one of the ones the fly anglers use. Been looking at the Airflo and Hardwear ones. Ok, they`re going to be a bit bulky and restrictive but thats a small price to pay.

Does anyone use this style of vest?


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I'm surprised those guys at UK Camo don't do a life jacket ;)

I nearly bought a life jacket last winter, and didn't in the end. I'm back to thinking about it again and it does seem like common sense. I try not to think about some of the swims I've fished in flood conditions :eek: I'm surprised I'm still here! This one doesn't look as bulky or restrictive as the Airflo one. If it's too bulky, I'd end up not putting it one, at least not in the colder weather when I've got a few layers on.

p.s. Coops, glad you're still with us mate :)
 
I never understand those Newton measurements........

Thing is, in full winter kit I`d have trousers plus Igloo 3 bib and brace and on the top probably four or five layers so a lifejacket would have to be able to hold all that little lot up in the water plus, of course, my own considerable bulk!

Oh, I`d definitely go for an auto inflater as well, that`d save a bit on the bulk.
 
I haven't been in the market for one but technically there is a difference between a buoyancy aid and a life jacket. The latter will keep your head above water, even if unconscious whereas the other helps to keep you afloat. I would suspect a buoyancy jacket/aid would be less bulky.
 
This is the snowbee buoyancy aid/vest that is marketed as being able to support a 'large' angler with waders and outdoor clothing - stating 190N of buoyancy, whatever that is.....

I have been looking at them, just for those instances when I'm on my own after having a few 'footing issues' on the bank myself. This one looked like it would sit pretty flat against the body, and being adjustable would sit over any clothing.

If i recall right, i dont think you would get much change out of £200 so it aint cheap but from reading everyones comments, this is protection from a fear we all have.
 

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First I have to say "well done Paddy"...sterling work mate.....
I very nearly joined the club yesterday, missed my footing and if I hadn't hadn't been hanging on to my rope there would have been a 15 stone splash !!!
As has been said, dog spike and a length of rope at the least chaps....You know it makes sense !!!
 
Justin

That's the very one I have invested in - though if you shop around on the net you will find them for considerably less then £200 - if I recall mine was £120 and worth every penny.

Pretty weighty though so not ideal if you are roving.

atb

Les
 
Thats why I like the idea of an auto inflater. Lighter and less bulk. Might have a pop at one of the Airflo ones
 
Hi Chaps,
I use a 275 newton crewsaver life jacket that has a hammer set up, it will only work when in water so does not go off in the rain. It also has a stainlees steel ring on
the harness so you can connect to a rope. The other thing i wear is a prologic flotation 2 piece suit 170newtons, this is not only very warm but could save your life. I think sundridge now also make one! Be safe it is not worth your life. I suffer with menieres so if i get water in my ears i lose my balance not good if you fall in.
While on the safty front please be careful with your food i see a friend of Steve Redgrave died of weils disease, get yourselves some hygienic hand gel.
Tight lines.
Paul.
 
Coops my last word to you before you nick my swim was ?mmmmmmmmmmmm Watch the banks mate they a nightmare . Im sure I not bring it up over a few beers lol
 
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