Pair of Jacks

DWR reported alcohol was not involved…due to fatality the investigation remains non-public until final report is released.

Yes, but a 7 -year old little girl paid with her life for the stupid behavior of the adults entrusted with her care.

Over the 4th of July weekend here at Lake Anna (central Virginia) a pontoon capsize seriously injuring 6 and the 7th person ( young girl) died. Investigation is on going, but according to news reports it occurred at 10:30 pm and witnesses described the passengers for some unknown reason we all congregated on the front starboard corner causing the right sponson to dive into water flipping the entire vessel and ejecting all passengers into water. The next day a larger runabout was fueling at one of the local marina fuel docks and caught fire seriously burning 6 people on board. All boating requires serious attention to safety and proper operation whether underway or moored.

Brings new meaning to don’t count your chickens before they thaw….

This is definitely a terrible thing to happen to anyone. As a longtime member of BoatUS I pay attention to their reports of insurance claims related to unattended sinkings while moored. A large number incidents are due to poor or improper maintenance of key onboard systems that allow the ingress of water. Since we do not know what exactly the root cause of this incident and likely never will unless the actual owner makes post here or elsewhere…let’s reinforce the preventative maintenance concepts BoatUS advocates in order to help our friends and neighbors avoid this kind catastrophe. Regularly inspect all through-hull hose connections for security and serviceability, use stainless steel clamps and double clamp a necessary; keep bilge clean and clear of debris that could foul bilge pump(s), and check bugle pumps and automatic switches for proper operation before leaving vessel unattended for any extended period of time. Check battery health/shore power connections. Have a back up plan to have someone check your vessel after significant weather events. I watched a great video from Capt Rich Hajecki regarding his fitting out of the latest Yankee Troller (Tiara) in which he installed a cellular-based vessel monitoring system and phone app that alerts you if/when something goes south. I said a prayer for this boat owner(s)and pray all turn out well for them.

Great post and nice fish!!! I dream about about having an average day like yours🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Great life lessons!!! Keep on keeping on.

Did you stay in the bay or go out to deep water?

No problem and thank you. I assumed they were probably already sold.

Still available?

Great discussion and while I have not fished LO as yet (my refitting project is running longer than planned😫😫), I grew up on one of the world premier Rainbow streams in the US…Catherine Creek (a major Seneca Lake tributary) during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. In those days the spring Rainbow spawn was a thing of absolute beauty. You could not navigate Rt 14 between Horseheads and Watkins during the first week of April let alone find a parking spot. The early versions of food trucks dotted every few miles and the fishing was world class. Then on June 18, 1972 Mother Nature delivered a life and fishery altering blow known as Hurricane Agnes the Southern Tier Region of New York and neighboring Pennsylvania experienced a rain and flood event not seen in modern history of the region. Catherine Creek’s natural habitat was permanently altered by both the flooding and the subsequent flood control efforts by NYS to modify the creek’s banks and channel. Gone were those wonderful pools with deep eddies and overhanging tree roots that provide great hidey holes for those big trout. Yes the spring run still occurs but nothing like in the days of my youth. Seneca Lake has too gone through some tectonic shift in its own ecological habitat. I am not a marine biologist, but things have changed to alter the life cycle of the fishery. Gone are the big schools of smelt and saw bellies that the salmon and trout foraged on…the invasion of the zebra mussels and introduction of other invasive (fleas) have created demonstrative impact to both the quantity and size of the fish. That said, I not sure what if anything can be done to restore or replace the fisheries without everyone first coming to a common understanding of the status quo. Similarly, I think it’s the same situation with LO. The big dilemma is as it usually is: quality versus quantity. In fishing terms bigger fish vs smaller more plentiful fish. Recreational sport fishing is a business and the market forces that drive that economy and experience will tend to dictate the equilibrium.

Label everything 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Great report Capt Rich!!!