Chuck, be damn careful which trees you get under during a thunderstorm.
If you can find a grove where all the trees are pretty much the same
height, say like a planted Pine Plantation, head for it. However, if
there are some trees that are overly tall when compared to the others,
stay away from them, i.e. lightening tends to hit the tallest object. A
single tree ain't the place to take cover under during a storm either.
Best thing to do is to make yourself as low to the ground as possible,
even if you have to get wet. Always take a simple poncho along in your
chestpack / backpack. I keep one in mine. On the front are my flies,
etc. the back is for bottled water, sandwiches, first aid kit, and a poncho.
JIMMY D
Chuck Alexander wrote:
Steve: Good idea about being under a bunch of trees.. The trees here
are sooooo thick because I live in, and the lake is IN the Talladega
(Alabama) National Forrest and the trees are thick as cat's hair cause
the Govt won't thin them out, which causes a lot of Forrest fires, but
you are right.. Usually ppl who get stuck under trees I think are ppl
who are, say, on a golf course and they run up under asingle tree for
cover, and it acts like a lightening rod..But under a million trees,
those odds go to a million to one, instead of one to one... On that
Pool, that would be last one OUT would be a hard boiled egg right???
LOL,Chuck
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Brettell <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [VFB] Boating Safety Question
We're having a lot of people in our area hit by lightning
recently. I think that being cautious is the best idea in this
situation. If you don't want to go home, pull onthe shore and
wait it out. Being in the woods is different (though still a
risk) than being under the only tree in the area. Your safest
place is in the car with the windows up. Of course, then you die
from the heat.
When I was younger, there was a short in one of our local swimming
pools, and we learned the hard way about the conductivity of
water. The first one in was the rotten (ie hard boiled) egg.
On 7/9/07, Chuck Alexander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:
Bill: I definitely put down the "Lightening Rod" and head for
home.. My problem is the lake is HUGE.. It's the watershed for
local towns and from the boat launch to where I often fish is
nearly 2 miles, and using trolling motor only (that is all
that is allowed) it is at least 25 minutes to the ramp..This
time of the year it can be Sunny and clear.. Next minute BAM..
Lightening everywhere..I'm just trying to be as safe as
possible cause I was standing in the yard one day a few years
ago and lightening struck the Wood Heater smoke stack that I
was only about 25 ft away from, and it was such a fireball, I
was nearly blind for three days.. Scared the heck outta Me..
I've been very afraid of lightening ever since, Chuck
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 3:36 PM
Subject: Fw: [VFB] Boating Safety Question
I have fished out of aluminum Jon boats for 38 years and
have never heard of anyone getting hit by lightening. With
that said i think your pretty csafe no matter what you do
i for one put down my graphite rods and depending if it's
going to keep up i may or may not head for the house..
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Alexander
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 3:52 PM
Subject: [VFB] Boating Safety Question
Folks: I've had something that I have wondered about in
boating safety.. Now that we are getting rain for the
first time in months, and some thunder and lightening to
go with it.. I have an aluminum Jon boat.. The lake I most
often fish is lined with very tall pine and oak trees..
They say lightening usually strikes the highest or
tallest point..But, they also say that since lightening is
attracted to water, then it will strike the highest point
ON the water. But it also strikes metal easily.. So, if I
am in my boat and it starts lightening which would be the
safest measure???
1. Stay in the middle of the lake going to the launch,
thus being the lowest point around (but, I'd be the
TALLEST point in or on the water) ?
2. Hug the bank (but that puts me closer to the tall trees)??
3. Get on the nearest bank and out of the metal boat till
the lightening passes (but that would put me under those
tall trees)?
Thanks... Chuck
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--
**************** ><((((((((º> **************
JIMMY D. MOORE
North Zone Fishing Editor - Texas Fish & Game Mag,
Author - Moon Holler Misfits Fishing & Hunting Club,
Humorist, Past VP Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited,
Member TOWA, Retired Scout Exec. BSA.
***************** <º))))))))>< *************
