Lesson Learned

[sakoshooter]

Today at A.M. high tide at Nisqually, I decided to wade over to my buddies blind to drink some coffee and BS. Wading thru waist deep water with my SBEII wearing 5mm neoprene waders, I tripped in a slight depression and fell forward. Because of the neoprene waders being soooooooooo bouyant, I tipped over with my face in the water unable to get my feet underneath me in that depth of water and couldn't reach the bottom with my hands either. I tried using my shotgun for leaverage but it needed a foot more in length so I swam using one hand and my SBEII in the other while kicking my feet about 30' to a small tree enabling me to pull myself up.
My partner said he was ready if I needed any help. He said I just qualified for the Nisqually swim team, LOL.
I always wear a wader belt snugly around my waist. This time it only allowed 5 gal of water to run down my neck while swimming. Imagine how much would have  run into my waders without the belt?
Now I wasn't worried about drowning but it ended up being a long cold day with that wind since this happened about 830 a.m.
This lesson makes a great case for wearing a life jacket anytime you're in the boat. Can you imagine what this would be like 100 yds from shore? Without a life jacket???
We laughed about it over coffee after I wrung out my jacket, liner, shirt and long john top and poured the water out of my gun.
Just wanted to share so you guys could have a good laugh.
Heed the advice though: Neoprene is so bouyant that you will not be able to self right yourself in water more than 3' deep.
PS SBEII's make great paddles. Probably even better if you could use two hands on it.

[lokidog]

Glad you're OK, swimming while duck hunting sucks....   

[Kola16]

  but that is kind of funny  Did you at least get to whack some ducks 

[csaaphill]

Tim conway came to mind while reading that 
anyways glad a bad situation turned out ok.
er elmer and daffy duck but Tim Conway was my first thought lol.

[wraithen]

It's why I ALWAYS wear a safety belt even though my buddies make fun of me for it.

[Turner89]

Glad you're OK, swimming while duck hunting sucks....   

Unfortunately had to do it a few times myself

[dannysdaddy]

Went for a nice float a couple times myself.  now i carry a wader pole aka collapsable tent pole with a tennis ball on the end and marked every foot.

[aaronoto]

Went for a nice float a couple times myself.  now i carry a wader pole aka collapsable tent pole with a tennis ball on the end and marked every foot.

Anything approaching waist deep and I will use a pole as well. I know someone makes a pole specifically for this, but an old ski pole with a big basket has worked great for me.

[ICEMAN]

Wow, scary, nice reminder Sako!

[sakoshooter]

Was hoping you folks would get some laughs from it.
Yeah, shot 4 ducks. Lucky neoprene is warm even when you're wet underneath.
Lookin for a place to sew my swimming merit badge on my duck coat, LOL.

[Kola16]

Glad you got some  I guess it is just like a wet suit. Maybe you should have just floated in your decoy spread, and been right in the action 

[sakoshooter]

Glad you got some  I guess it is just like a wet suit. Maybe you should have just floated in your decoy spread, and been right in the action 

Good idea Kola. I'll try that next time.

[PolarBear]

I know a guy who drowned at Nisqually while duck hunting.  He anchored his boat to take a nap and a break from hunting.  When he woke up the tide had gone out and he was high and dry.  Instead of waiting several hours for the tide to come in he jumped out and decided t hike to his rig.  He got stuck in the mud and drowned when the tide covered him up.  Folks, be careful when messing with tidal mud!! I know that it is a different situation than yours but just something to think about.  I can't imagine too many ways to die that are worse than slowly watching the tide cover you knowing the you are going to die.

[akirkland]

Man! The delta is dangerous! I grew up hunting the Nisqually and I have seen and heard some horror stories. Be careful out there!

[sakoshooter]

Nisqually can be dangerous especially with a N wind. Been hunting it over 25 yrs now. Seen quite a bit out there. Many changes with the land and birds over that time. Still love it though.