Roger, I can't say that I've had similar experiences being accosted but have been considering the sidearm question nonetheless.
While fishing in Alaska a couple years ago, our tent camp was regularly visited by grizzly bears, one of whom emptied a plastic Coleman cooler hung 25 feet above the ground in a cargo net. The tent camp came equipped with a .45-70 5-shot Marlin (complete with 4 rounds ;-), which quickly became our constant fishing companion. A couple days into our stay, a half dozen day fishers arrived who fished that same estuary every year. Being quite familiar with the bear situation, they all brought firearms. And all of 'em carried large caliber pistols. The weapon of choice was a .44 S&W revolver with a stainless steel frame and a 5- or 6-inch barrel. A couple others carried .40 cal automatics and there was also a .357 if I remember correctly. None of them had ever fired their sidearms in self-defense and there was some disagreement over whether their weapons would actually stop a determined attack by a provoked 600-lb adult grizzly. There was a consensus that the pistol was definitely better than nothing and was preferable to carrying a heavy, large-bore rifle. I'm planning to head back to Alaska this summer and have renewed my thinking along those lines. I would appreciate any thoughts others might have to offer. Kent Lufkin >Any thoughts out there, or personal experiences, where carrying a >weapon while flyfishing has been an advantage. I have a concealed >carry permit and have had for at least 30 years, as I used to make >bank deposits for my company after hours. Even though I have >retired from that company, I have kept the permit current, but >rarely, except when going somewhere remote, even take my weapon. >Several years ago I was fishing the Yak just off I-90. I was parked >on a frontage road less than 150 feet off of, and in full view of >the Interstate near Easton. I was on a dead end frontage road and >had turned the car around prior to walking down to the river. Upon >returning to the car, two unsavory looking fellows driving an old >blue Nova came tearing down this frontage road and spun their car >around and deliberately blocked my car from going anyshere. I had >my pistol in the trunk, as as they were getting out of their car and >approaching me, I quickly walked to the rear of my car, and po! >pped the trunk opener. I then re >ached into the trunk, grabbed the gun which was in a clip on >holster, and walked back to where they could see me put it on my >belt. I never drew the weapon, just showed that I had it. The >fellows involved left so fast that I am not sure their feet or the >car were even touching the ground. >The purpose of bringing this up is that I have had several instances >over the past five years where, when by myself, I have been >accosted. In each of these merely letting the other party be aware >that I was armed, by letting them see the holstered weapon, made the >difference. I know from reading past posts that some in this group >hunt as well as fish. I am sure that some feel very uncomfortable >around firearms. The purpose for my question is not to get into the >the guns versus no guns debate. Rather I would like to see if it is >just me who is running into situations like the above, or if it is >becoming a widespread problem. In none of the situations involved >have I even instigated so much as a conversation beforehand with the >perps. Just seems to be a bunch of people out there looking for >trouble, kicks, etc. I know many areas have experienced car >breakins, etc. The basin lakes in eastern Washington seem to be a >hot spot for this type of activity. I have been threate! >d several times at Nunnaly. If >any of you remember Gene Armstrong who worked at Kaufmanns in >Belleve, he had several similiar instances he related to me. > > I know guns, know how to use them, was brought up with guns in a >rural setting, and feel comfortable around them. I also am keenly >aware that if one carries a gun he better be prepared to use it, and >not have it used against ones self. I am also well aware of the >legal and moral ramifications of carrying and using a weapon. > >I would really appreciate thoughts, experiences, etc. on how to >protect yourself. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more a >common occurance. > >Thanks, > >Roger
