FISHING & BOATING

The fishing and boating seasons are both in high gear. Trout fishing is winding down for most anglers, and our thoughts are now on bass, walleye, and the big guys… pike and muskies. The boaters have passed their traditional Memorial Day opener for boating and they are out in full bloom. Personally, trout fishing was a disappointment. For me, it turned out to be all fishing, and no catching. I’ve received similar feedback from other anglers complaining that the Big Pine and Kettle Creek weren’t filling many creels. Oh well, how else and where else, could you have so much fun on rainy days?

Let’s get on to some serious stuff…. Boating Safety. In a recent summary prepared by Dan Martin, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Boating and Access, we learn that boating safety remains as a real important issue. In 2008, Pennsylvania had eight (8) fatal boating accidents. That’s down from the latest 10 year average of 12; but it is still 8 too many. This kind of news gets very little media coverage. But, can you imagine if we had 8 hunting fatalities, and a hunting fatality average of 12 during the past 10 years in Pennsylvania. The anti-hunting groups would climb onto that situation real quick.

Hunting Safety Courses are now 50 years old and mandatory for youth and newbie’s. Boating Safety Courses are recommended, but not nearly as well utilized as Hunting Safety Courses. Why? Of the 8 boating fatalities, it is unknown or not yet determined, if any had formal boating safety instruction. And, only one of the fatalities involved an individual wearing a life jacket.

Whether at home, the highway, hunting, fishing, or boating; safety must prevail as the primary ingredient for all of our activities. As 12 or 14 year-olds we all read through and understood the 10 Commandments of Firearms Safety. The seriousness of firearms meant something really important to us. What will it take to get the same awareness factor instilled into the boaters of Pennsylvania? Or, what does it take to convince folks regarding the importance of wearing your life jacket, instead of just having it aboard?

We would be naive to think that boating accidents and boating related fatalities will be eliminated. But, 8 fatalities in the past year, and a 10 year average of 12 fatalities is certainly too high for most of us to accept. This is a situation in need of remedy.

What are some of the causes for boating accidents and fatalities? That list would certainly include the lack of formal training, not wearing a life jacket, inexperience, alcohol/drugs, hypothermia, and risk-taking or horseplay.

If you are a boater, it is highly recommended that you take a boater safety course. The PFBC and the Coast Guard Auxiliary are both excellent sources of information regarding course availability. Don’t put if off until next season.

TAKE A KID FISHING!

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