President's Message June 2009: Summer Safety

by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

Things are heating up on the Texas coast, and it’s not just the fishing! As I write this, I have just returned from a quick trip to the coast on a new sort of fishing adventure. I was invited to join Palmer Simpson and a friend on a fly fishing adventure chasing sharks and other offshore fish out near our coast’s closest oil rigs. The gulf was irregularly flat and the winds were mild. The day was nearly perfect, except for the lack of cooperation on the fish’s part. Regardless of catching results, the trip was wonderful and went off without a hitch. It’s repeated trips like these that tend to develop a sense of complacency within us all when it comes to preparing for our summer getaways.

Think back to the last time you packed your gear for a kayak trip or a trek down the beach. The first things in most packing orders are rod, flies, leaders…the works. Now, what about your first aid kit, water, sunscreen, light raingear and extra food? For the beach, add bug repellent, tow strap, tire repair essentials, spare gas and more extra water. What about always using the buddy system? Many of these items are year round essentials, but the hot Texas summers can be especially dangerous if you are not prepared.

Sometimes it takes an adventure gone wrong to remind us to always be prepared. We all know the cliché “Failing to plan is Planning to fail”. We have all heard stories from others in the club of some pretty tough summer fishing trips. In listening to these stories, we realize how suddenly the environment can change from exciting to challenging.

Remember the stories of beach runs after a red tide with sand covered hard heads and multiple flat tires? What about the kayak trips where a paddle breaks in the back side of a shallow flat? How about the overnight jetty trip where a heavy thunderstorm popped up and lightning lit up the entire area? What about that less than perfect forward cast that buries a hook in your arm? Know anyone who has turned a short lighthouse lake trip into an 8 mile paddle after getting turned around while trying to get a closer look at the lighthouse (who, me & Anna?!? Of course that wasn’t us! It IS a lot harder to read a map when you leave it in the truck.)? These are just a few examples that show how quickly things can happen on our coast and why preparation needs to be a part of every trip.

Don’t get me wrong, many of you already take necessary precautions and much of the preparation is common sense. If you are going to be out in the sun all day, put on sunscreen. Take water…add extra water. It is amazing how quickly you can get baked and dehydrated on the coast. Always pack a small first aid kit…who knows when you might need it. Click the "Read More" link below to see a list of recommended items that you should take in addition to your fishing gear. These lists are not all inclusive, but should get you thinking about some of the things you may want to pack for your next trip. And remember, it is always best to use the buddy system on any of your adventures, even if it’s just to have the company! Now go pack your gear and get out fishing…but be safe, have fun and catch some fish!

All trips
- Water (1-2 gallons per day)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses (throw in a spare pair of cheap ones if you wish)
- Hat
- Flashlight, headlamp and/or chemical light stick
- Extra batteries and bulbs
- First aid kit (with any medications you may require)
- Toilet paper (yes, that can be an emergency too!...or fire starter)
- Insect repellent
- Spare rope (parachute cord works great and is compact)
- Knife
- Cell phone (in waterproof bag)
- Life vest with whistle attached (for kayaks)
- Lightweight rain gear
- Small pack of wet wipes
- Tire plugs and air compressor (for beach trips)
- Tow strap (for beach trips)
- Jumper cables (in the car)
- Spare gas (on beach trips)

A few other things you may want to throw in as well are:
- Spare change of dry clothes (left in your car)
- Trash bags
- Waterproof bag
- GPS (waterproof)
- Spare food/snacks
- Individual sports drink mix (with electrolytes)
- Waterproof matches
- Duct tape (we all know you can use this for anything!)
- Spare keys for the vehicle
- Small bottle of ammonia (for jelly fish stings)
- Spare paddle
- Waterproof Maps (be sure to put these IN the kayak!)