Terror on the Pere Marquette

After our small game hunt and a bite to eat at Eddies in downtown Baldwin, my dad and I decided to go steel head fishing. We made our way to the Sulack on the Pere Marquetter River, and got our gear ready to go.

We had to walk a shot ways down a beaten path to finally get to the river. Once at the edge of the river we put on our lures and headed in. My dad made his way to the other side of the river while I waited for him where we started. It was a good thing I did because what happens next could've turned out differently if I hadn't waited. As I made my way across the river, I got to the middle and knew it wasn't going to be easy to get across. The current was very strong, and the pebbles and clay at the bottom of the river made the grip almost impossible for me. My left foot gave out on the gravel and a split second later my right foot was of the ground too. Next thing I know I am floating down the river trying to swim my way back to my dad.

My dad quickly realizes what is going on and comes in after me. He too could not touch and started to get a little out of breath. As we were trying to stay afloat and help one another I somehow made my way to a shallow area. I quickly got my footing and reached out for my dad who was right by me. Once we were both up and out of the deep water, we had to gain our composure for a little while.

My dad, the hardy man he is, could care less if he was soaking wet and cold! He threw in a couple casts while I waited impatiently on the banks. I was very cold and uncomfortable and I had a ton of water in my waders. Luckily I had my wader belt on or else I probably would have been fully filled with water! My dad didn't catch anything on those few casts, but I think he knew I was ready to go so he packed up and we searched for a shallower way to get back across the river.

We finally found a way back across the river, but it was still a struggle for me to get across. I had to have my dad come back across and guide me to the other side. He used a stick so he could keep his balance along with helping me across. I'm telling you the current in that particular spot of the river was wicked!

The best part of this trip was making it back to the care safely. Luckily we each had a full change of clothes to throw on after our little incident. All in all it was a good learning experience that I will never forget.