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Wake Up Call |
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Written by Lesa Peacock
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 Well-l-l-l doggy, the season has gotten off with a real bang and may have cracked the very foundation of a fishing foursome! My best fishing buddy has informed me that she’d never get back in a boat!
This morning dawned brilliant with promise. The moon was waxing full last night and we woke to glorious sunshine, perfect for a day on the river.
Dwight and Debbie weren’t about to sit inside. The water had finally come down and the chance of hungry Red Breast was too good to pass up.
They put in at Coleman Lake and headed downriver toward Midville Bridge, intending to try their luck and check out all the new houses going up. Dwight pitched a while and Debbie and Lola, a three pound, personality loaded toy poodle, enjoyed the sunshine and solitude. Dwight had put a pretty hen and a big, fat rooster in the boat, when the cell phone rang. It was Dallas, a friend of ours and a co-worker of Debbie’s. He and his fishing buddy/love of his life, Sandy, and her young daughter, Tiffany, were on their way.
The guys pondered the benefits of having fishin’ partners that don’t spit chew juice into the wind. Lies were being swapped and tales were being told. Debbie and Sandy, with eye rolls and knowing grins, listened with tolerance. Lola provided the perfect distraction for a little girl. The company was great, the weather was beautiful and the day had all the makings of perfection. That is, until they turned back upriver for the return trip!
Now, “Dudley’s” boat is light, perfect for the river when dragging is necessary. Keeping this in mind and being an experienced captain, he ALWAYS knows what the other guy is doing. After all, he and Richard usually play back and forth, trying to “psych” each other out. Sources claim that a boat at full throttle does not create as large a wake as one traveling at 2/3 power. Can you see where this is leading?
The guys pulled up to the bank under shady oaks, needing a break from the hot sun. A couple of pitches with no luck and it was time to move on up. Dallas pulled out first and headed back downriver. Dwight, expecting him to go upriver, threw it in reverse. As he backed up he heard “Wa-HoooMMMM”. It was Dallas and crew headed back upriver. The wake hit just as he started to swing the backend. Doing his best to get crossways, he had no time to warn Debbie.
As the first wake swamped the back end, Dallas, completely unaware, goosed it on around. The second wake was the killer. As Dwight hit the juice, the already rocking boat suddenly lifted on the second, much larger swell. Dwight watched in horror as tiny Lola soared into the air in a perfect arch. Debbie, belly up and already back stroking, flew up and out into the middle of the Ogeechee River right behind her. Debbie later told me, ”I never closed my eyes. I knew I was going to die and I meant I was going down with my eyes open!” Dwight, in true husbandly ignorance asked, ”Could you see anything?” Debbie’s answer was swift and explicit!
Dwight, at this point wasn’t too concerned. They hadn’t taken on enough water to sink. He could see dog and wife, both heads above water. All he had to do was circle around in a classic skier’s retrieval. It would be a simple thing to grab a belt loop and haul her (wife) in. He turned quickly and pulled alongside the small black appetizer (remember the gators?) paddling furiously in the current. He scooped Lola to safety just as Debbie reached the boat. As he looked into eyes wide with stark terror, he realized he had to get her out. IMMEDIATELY!!!
Idling alongside, he told her to go to hand-walk to the front of the boat. He knew that the extra weight of water in back (plus the battery, gas tank, and motor) presented a serious problem. Debbie, however, was way past compromise. There was no way, once she had a hand on the boat, she intended to let go, not even for a split second. Since Dwight (and salvation) were in the back, that’s where she hung tight. She pushed down once, Dwight yelled twice. She pushed down again and he killed the motor. Knowing there was no getting her to the front, he could only watch the water rush into a rapidly filling boat.
Dallas, now ahead and unaware of the drama, would have continued on if it had not been for the heroics of a little girl. Tiffany, looking back at Lola, suddenly screamed “The puppy and Miss Debbie got thrown out of the boat, they’re sinking!
Hi Ho Silver! Dallas and company raced back in time to see their buddies hanging onto a rapidly sinking boat with a tiny black dog perched atop like a hood ornament. Pulling alongside, they watched in horror as the vessel suddenly shoot nose up, turn sideways and roll. Tiffany had just enough time to grab Lola. Dallas and Sandy managed to reach Debbie (shivering and hyperventilating) and pull her to safety. Dwight hung tight to his boat!
Having taken care of two very wet, cold, shivering females, Dallas turned his attention to the task at hand. He grabbed the edge of the boat, doing his best to keep it from going under. Like any good Captain, Dwight held his course. If his boat went down, he’d go down with it.
Dallas, with one hand still locked on the upturned boat, towed the boat and it’s Captain (still keeping his vessel afloat by sheer willpower) to safety in shallower water. Once near the bank, Dallas sailed overboard. The guys, with unsolicited advice from the womenfolk, pulled and pushed the upturned boat to the bank where, with great and manly strength, they managed to flip it back over.
When both boats and all passengers finally made dry land Debbie turned to Dwight and in a slightly rueful voice, said, “Well, Lesa’s got something else to write about.”
The telling of the story results in laughter and joking, but it could have had a disastrous end. The water could have been high as it was in previous weeks with a much stronger current. There may have been no pint size hero, eyes glued to an adorable bit of fluff named Lola. Had Lola not been along a little girl may never have turned around for one last look.
There was no horsing around, just friends enjoying the outdoors. So when you head out for a day on the water be safe. Murphy’s Law respects no one.
When passing another boat, keep as wide as possible. Never forget the “No Wake” rule. Pass at trolling speed and wait until you are a couple of boat lengths ahead before powering up. Most of all, if you see someone in trouble, friend or stranger, take the example of three wonderful people. Dallas, Sandy, and especially Tiffany...from the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking care of my best friends! Dwight, you’re a heck of a Skipper.
As for the future of the Fishin’ Foursome, I’ll keep my fingers crossed and let you know.
Happy fishing ya’ll. Stay safe and look out for your neighbor. |
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