I hadn’t ever considered the high risk nature of the hobby, but after reading the recital of ills, they missed tromping on medical waste while wading, but that’s a recent hazard – known only to us locals.
There’s a lot we take for granted, mostly because it’s home turf and we’ve seen most of the repertoire; bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, are all part of the surroundings. While we’re often surprised by their appearance, most of us know how to conduct themselves properly and not elevate the risk.
Our California Brown and Black bears may seem fearsome to those unacquainted with them, but they’re mostly curious and hungry – not looking for a confrontation. Bear cubs start me backpedaling in a hurry, however.
Places like Alaska and Montana have real bears and multiple critters that can stomp a human without breaking a sweat. Despite the long list of perils I can’t believe they missed the most dangerous foe in the woods:
- The typical McDonald’s meal ingested at sea level, prior to the climb to altitude, and subsequent stoppage of normal body function.
Almost all of my near death experiences have a pre-dawn departure with some fellow in the back seat insisting on coffee and an Egg McMuffin. It’s Old Scratch whispering in your ear – and we fall for it every single time.
Given the near-death experiences of your own encounters, hopefully you did not miss one critically important safety tip:
“If you are fishing in an area frequented by hunters consider wearing a bright orange fluorescent outer coat and hat so they can see you…It will make your fly fishing a bit more challenging but at least you will reduce the chances of you being shot.”
And for you, I think it would make for a dashing fashion statement, what with the cigar droolings and remnants of last week’s lunch for color accent.
I resent that – those are this week’s lunch spatter.
I screwed up the link to the page, it’s been fixed – and the article makes a bit more sense now.
I did some invertebrate sampling this last weekend and was definatly dressed in orange gun season in MN. Venison on the grill for a few months, very nice.
You’re dead on. That damn McMuffin gets me every time, especially winter steelhead season hike-ins.
Most of the readership is shy, which is why there wasn’t a great outpouring of guilt and shame.
The only meal McDonald’s serves that supersizes itself – virtually guaranteed if the backside vegetation is frozen.