Life jackets like this Bass Pro Shops auto inflatable vest worn by Mike Giles are so light that you usually forget you have it on until you need it.

“Get that canoe right there; no that real canoe,” my fishing partner said. I thought it somewhat strange because we’d always fished out of the Coleman Scanoe, but I didn’t ponder long as I was on a deadline with a shoal bass and in a hurry to find him.

    The low hum of the swift water over the shoals signaled that the river was not tranquil that fateful day but we’d made the trip many times without incident. Thirty minutes later we pushed the canoe into the frigid spring waters of the muddy Chunky River and began plying the swift river in search of Chunky River Shoal bass.

    Greeted by the natural beauty of the springtime woods and flowing water we were transformed to a place and time far away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Spider lilies adorned the shoreline while hanging over the water with tempting beauty. A succulent aroma of honeysuckle wafted through the early morning air awakening our senses to yet another of nature’s spring treats.

    Maneuvering through a horseshoe bend in the river I pitched a Tiny T jig and Paca Craw trailer into the stream flowing into the river and swam it into the swirling water.

    Wham!

    A Chunky River redeye spotted bass nailed my offering and almost tore the rod from my hands. After a nip and tuck battle I wore him down and landed him and took a few pictures for posterity then quickly released him to return to his ambush point.

    My partner quickly steered the boat to the slack water and we fished the hairpin curve thoroughly. As we started our trek downriver again we had to head upriver into the swift current before turning and going with the flow.

    Paddling furiously we’d made the entry successfully into the swift currents of the frigid waters and had turned downstream without incident.

    Or so I thought.

    As we turned downriver the water pushed us into a recently downed tree top and the force of the current against the canoe and tree rolled our canoe over and dumped valuable fishing gear photographic equipment and anglers into the water.

    Stunned by the frigid water and turn of events I never heard my partner make a sound as I struggled against the swift current that was pulling us down. It was every man for himself at this moment as survival was the first order of business.  

    As I made it to the rocky shoreline it took me a few minutes to regain my senses and the sight on the river was one I never wanted to view. There on the water floated a canoe upside down along with an assortment of equipment including boat seats, tackle boxes, camera bags and other floatable gear.

    As the gear floated downriver and out of sight I tried to gain my composure, thankful to have survived my baptism in the Chunky.

    Things like this only happen to other people I’d believed. But yes, it happened to us on that fateful day and we lost hundreds of dollars of fishing and photographic gear in the process. It took a while but we finally recovered the canoe and the floating gear downstream, though the fishing rods were history.

    Continuing my trek downriver a wooden cross loomed large, planted in remembrance of another unfortunate angler who’d ventured onto the swift waters the year before without a life jacket.

    Though our pride was hurt, and we’d lost valuable equipment, we were safe and sound and had averted a near tragedy by preparing for the worst and donning safety gear.

    There’s just no reason anybody should get in a boat without first putting on a life jacket. Though the life you save could be yours, or your friends or family members, the results of losing a life in a drowning accident is devastating to surviving family members.

    Whether you’re fishing, boating, canoeing or skiing in a large boat, or small canoe, modern lifejackets are lightweight and comfortable. Bass Pro Shops and many other retailers offer an assortment of safety gear to fit your needs.

Contact  Mike Giles at

601-917-3898 or e-mail him at mikegiles18@comcast.net