[wademaster]

We stepped into the river early this morning with intentions of covering further water than we'd explored in the past. Action was great and so was the weather....initially.

Many nice rock bass came to hand with me losing the nicest when he darted under a rock and ultimately came unbuttoned. No trout to speak of this trip but plenty of smallmouth although not large.

Around 1:45 a serious storm blew in totally without warning. Huge raindrops pelted us and thunder/lightning was upon us before we could even get out of the water. At this point we're scrambling up a steep embankment to try to take cover. Nowhere to go, no shelter, and we're a long haul from our vehicle. We positioned ourselves in some thick woods while the storm gained strength and intensity by the second. Eventually the lightning was flashing exactly where we had taken refuge so we hit the leaves. Laying flat on the ground was the only thing I knew to do.

The storm persisted without retreat for around 45 minutes and the river was starting to get that spooky muddy appearance so we made the mutual decision to beat feet. Through the woods we went following the river's direction. The thickets became impenetrable so back into the water we went . Storm was still gaining power. Upon reaching open woods again we climbed the bank only to have to cross the river a few minutes into the hike. This type of rain makes a river unrecognizable almost in the blink of an eye.

Hurriedly, we climbed ridges so steep we had to slide down them and crawl up. (Felt bottom boots are no help in this situation) After hiking through He// for over an hour we made it to the truck, 110% soaked and exhausted.

This river rose close to 3ft within the 2 hour storm and was carrying debris of all sorts downstream. Clarity of several feet (extremely clear) became nothing at all. I'm thankful worse didn't take place although it wouldn't have taken much for this day to transform into something deadly.

Be safe fellas. Good fishing.

PS: The last pic is the river when we finally reached the truck. That water was gin clear when we fished it originally.

Sent from my kayak...

 

[Fish_Fiend]

Ive had similar experiences here in the Piedmont. Right now in the afternoon can be spooky when the clouds roll in from the west or south.

Glad you guys got out of there safely!

Gene - Red》X《 - Asheboro

 

[wademaster]

Sent from my kayak...

 

[wademaster]

Ironic side note: When we made it into the woods and the rain poured for a few minutes we sat there, on the ground, quietly. Something catches my eye and it's the frog pictured coming from the river, hence the nickname for a super heavy rain: Frog Strangler.

Side note II: The frog is a "Pickerel Frog" I think....

 

[dbeam]

That is a story for the campfire for years to come.

Darrell

 

[wademaster]

That is a story for the campfire for years to come.

Darrell

Not soon forgotten......that's for sure.

 

[catmaster]

Yep, I used to not be afraid of a Rain Storm....not any more....close lightning strikes...will most certainly clear any Burly man's head...with the Quickness.

 

[Nat's Dad]

This is the kind of experience that turns guys that fish in the woods into real woodsmen. Clearly, you have "been there, done that" before. Great post.

 

[wademaster]

This is the kind of experience that turns guys that fish in the woods into real woodsmen. Clearly, you have "been there, done that" before. Great post.

You got it. Unfortunately, since I was a young lad, I've had a knack for getting myself into such scenarios.....they aren't pleasant but always pay off in the future. Practice makes perfect.

 

[Nat's Dad]

You got it. Unfortunately, since I was a young lad, I've had a knack for getting myself into such scenarios.....they aren't pleasant but always pay off in the future. Practice makes perfect.

Iffin' they don't kill ya first...............

I was out with Nat last summer on a medium sized Piedmont lake and it got serious real quick like..............we hit the bank and hunkered down............I saw a really big bolt hit near the car and when we finally got back to the ramp the island out in front of our car was ON FIRE! Sometimes, what momma don't know won't hurt her.

 

[horsehead]

Glad you guys made it out ok. Good reminder to be careful out there. And yes, felt sole boots are about worthless on any surface other than the bottom of a river.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nat's Dad]

You ever noticed guys that fish for trout wear something that ends in ......LLBean....... and the same yahoos fishing similar waters for cats are out there in Nikes? What would Thor think?

 

[Bleedingblue]

Wow! Glad you made it out with nothing more serious than a scary story.

 

[jonathan creason]

The river looks pretty snotty in that last pic, I'd say that definitely quaifies as a frog strangler. Cool story, thanks for sharing.