Safety first in all areas of outdoor recreation

It is that time of year again where many things are in transition: We have waterfowl seasons open, general rifle season this weekend, fall fishing going on everywhere and before you know it … ICE fishing!

It is very easy to let safety take a back seat with all this other stuff going on, but with air and water temperatures dropping, and now firearms in the mix again, it is always a good time to sit back and review our safety gear, know how it works and how we will react when the unthinkable happens.

Let’s assume that we are still using our boats for great fall fishing opportunities. If you don’t regularly wear one, are the personal flotation devices located where you can get at them? When the water temp is 70 degrees, we don’t have to worry too much about hypothermia, but with water temperatures now in the 50s and dropping, and air temperatures even lower, let’s remember, a good PFD can be that all-important safety item that makes the difference if you find yourself in the water. Better yet, the new flotation clothing like Striker Ice offers can keep you warm and afloat in an accident. This stuff is amazing and here locally.

Next, let’s make sure our boats’ running gear is up to snuff … the days are getting shorter and colder and batteries can weaken considerably and fail when you need them most. New batteries or at least some sort of jump-starting device can be a real trip-saver. Bilge pumps should be checked every time you go out and you should always have some sort of device to help bail water out. Now more than ever, boat maintenance and condition of gear is critical, as our environment gets cold, wet and slippery.

Carrying firearms on the boat now that waterfowl seasons are going? Do you have a process for storing your ammo so it does not get wet and dirty? Wet ammo can swell and cause jams and misfires, as can dirty shells that have been rattling around in storage containers or worse on the floor. Decoys should be placed in storage bags and kept away from places you will be walking and working. I once saw a guy go down hard inside his boat when he got tied up in a decoy anchor rope.

For the bank angler, lightweight, auto inflatable PFDs can and should be worn anytime you are crossing streams, wading etc. If you fall, there may not be anyone anywhere nearby to render assistance. A good wading staff is a great tool to keep the slips on icy, slippery rocks at a minimum.

Paying just a little more attention to your safety processes can pay big rewards this time of year. Just a little extra precaution can go a long way.

The last couple of weeks have seen some great fishing on several of our area lakes. Good rainbow action on Swan and Little Bitterroot lakes, whitefish being caught on the Flathead River, and the lake trout bite on local lakes, especially Flathead Lake, are just some of the good reports coming in.

Remember the Fishing Hotline is 756-BAIT for local reports, courtesy of Snappy’s. If you are heading out this weekend for the general deer and elk opener, I wish you the best of luck. Bring that rod and reel along for those midday lulls, and I will see you on the water!

Howe runs A Able Fishing Charters. Contact him at www.howesfishing.com or 257-5214 or by emailing Mike@aablefishing.com.