Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rieber on September 29, 2004, 06:29:00 PM

Title: Vedder drowning
Post by: Rieber on September 29, 2004, 06:29:00 PM
On my way home from work today I heard a report on CKNW that the body of a 40+ year old male was recovered from the Vedder yesterday afternoon just below the Keith Wilson bridge. The report stated the individual lost his footing and went down. They said the man was not from the immediate local area.

My condolences go out to the family.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: Koho on September 29, 2004, 06:32:06 PM
Very sad to hear... my condolences to his family.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: Rieber on September 29, 2004, 06:43:04 PM
You know, we've all taken that questionable risk in getting to a spot on the river and usually it doesn't produce a fish anyways. Now I'm not saying that this poor chap did anything risky, but we all need to take that extra bit of care and caution around the river. Even standing on the grassy bank below the #1 bridge - wader boots can easily slide on the long grass and you're going down into deep water. Waders don't take long to fill up and you've got a real problem.

That's three fishermenmen down in less than a year. Why? Just for fish?

Just think of all the things you see on the Fraser. Wow, I'll be taking a bit more care from now on.

Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: Walleyeguy on September 29, 2004, 06:44:29 PM
it really is a shame when the river takes someone

condolences to the family
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: Spudcote on September 29, 2004, 06:53:34 PM
Sad to hear.

PFD's and wading belts seem like better ideas each season, but they still can't replace just being careful.

I put my condolences out to the family.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: fishermanphil on September 29, 2004, 09:47:11 PM
Taked to one of the two fellas that discovered the deceased young lad. He said he was in his early 20s with near new gear. He was pulled from the river between keith-wilson and the gravel pit. Condolences to the family.To everyone else Please be careful and have respect for the power of the river.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: funruh on September 29, 2004, 11:59:43 PM
my condolences to the family....

wade with buddy if possible.  keep each other stable.

the other night on the Vedder I was hanging on till last light.  Everyone else was leaving and I was the only one left.  I packed it in so I could hike and wade back with the company of another angler.  I know the wife would be happy for that.
Be smart.
hope to see you guys out there.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: dennisK on September 30, 2004, 07:39:14 AM
when wading with a friend is it a good idea to walk with arms locked at the elbow? so if one slips you can hold them up....
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: Terry Bodman on September 30, 2004, 08:12:14 AM
And of course, a wading belt...ALWAYS !
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: The Gilly on September 30, 2004, 08:33:21 AM
 :'(
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: fullahead on September 30, 2004, 08:43:43 AM
I been a towboat skipper on the Fraser for twenty-five years, been on the river sense I was twelve years old. YOU CAN NOT HAVE TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR THE RIVER. Fish hard, but fish safe! My prayers too the family that lost their loved one.
Fullahead
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: The Gilly on September 30, 2004, 08:49:33 AM
The body was found at KWB.  I think it probably happened up stream a ways.  Even Lickman is very dangerous.  Too sad.  He's was the same age as me.  I can't imagine leaving my wife and kids for a Coho.  Past the knees is danger time.  Past the waist is death.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: The Gilly on September 30, 2004, 11:58:09 AM
I was fishing with my buddy in a new spot he showed me.  We were fishing on a perch above the run and had to scoot down the edge, jump in a back eddy and on to a sand bar to land the Coho's.  I was looking at the depth of the back eddy with a fish on and he says "go ahead it's only up to here" (pointing at the bottom of his ribs).  I jump in and realize that he was 6'1" and I'm not.  Cold water down the waders.  Thank god it was slack water.  I lost the fish too.  Since them it's been a wader belt and thigh deep.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: blaydRnr on September 30, 2004, 12:16:20 PM
no matter how shallow i wade, i always look before i step.
even when i'm playing a fish, i concentrate on my footing, more than where the fish is going.

complacencey and over confidence is the leading cause of many drownings...it's just not worth it. :'(

my deepest sympathy goes out to the family.
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: habzrule on September 30, 2004, 02:08:02 PM
Absolutely horrible.  Hopefully some good can come from this tragedy in the fact that it may serve to make others more cautious.  I'm pretty much a newb to river fishing for Salmon, and had not really thought much about the safety aspects.  I sure as h3ll am thinking about them now.    God Bless both the family and the deceased.

 ???
Title: Re: Vedder drowning
Post by: flyguy44 on September 30, 2004, 04:36:51 PM
I quite often wade from kieth wilson bridge to almost the highway bridge . I have a habit of fishing while I walk without paying attention to where I'm going I often find myself where I don't want to be  :o :o Time to change that bad habit.