Fishing trip tips: emergencies

Freshwater fishing can be a very relaxing way to spend a lazy afternoon, or an exciting adventure for a young child going fishing with Grandpa for the first time. Many of us can recall good times spent searching for that elusive 'big one' on our favorite lake or river. There can be no doubt that fishing is a treasured experience for millions of people.

But even the best hobbies or outdoor activities can have some hidden dangers. Traditional fishing gear includes sharp metal hooks and other hazards, while the atmosphere surrounding fishermen can rapidly change for the worse. Electrical storms can occur at any moment, turning any trip in a fishing boat into a race for safer shelter. Even if the weather is picture perfect, a fisherman may find himself short on supplies such as live bait. Nothing can spoil a fishing trip faster than a lack of bait.

1. Dangerous weather conditions. Before going on any fishing trip, you should always consult some kind of weather information. Even if you don't plan on leaving the shore, you should be aware of any impending storm movements, fronts or flash flood situations. Boaters should be especially cautious, since many storms can easily outrun a fishing boat. The first sign of darkening skies and a distant lightning strike should be your first warning to start heading back to dry land.

While a good Summer rain may agitate the water and improve your fishing, anything past a small cloudburst should be considered dangerous. Fishing off a bank is no safer than being on the water- you are either the tallest object around or near something that is. If the weather is changing for the worse, try to stay within sight of land. There are few situations more life-threatening than being caught in a sudden thunderstorm miles from the nearest shore.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you should also remember that fishing involves spending many hours exposed to bright sunshine. You should always use the same protection you would use if you were planning on swimming outdoors. Cover up as much skin as comfortable, or use a high SPF sunblock to prevent sunburn. Stay hydrated with a good supply of clean water or other beverages. Watch for signs of heat sickness- difficulty breathing, feeling lightheaded, problems concentrating on tasks, nausea. Children are especially prone to overdo fun activities outdoors. If you suspect that a child has become overheated while fishing, encourage them to take a break and sit in the shade with a cool drink. Sometimes you may need to lead by example- take a few breaks of your own to encourage a more leisurely pace while fishing. Try not to fish during the hottest parts of the day- most fish move to the deeper waters anyway, so fishing from the shore during the mid-afternoon may not be the best idea anyway.

2. Hooks and other dangerous equipment. We've all done it- thrown the 'big cast', hoping to land the prize fish, only to discover that we have hooked our own hand. Fishing by its very nature contains some very dangerous pieces of equipment, so make sure that your child is aware of the dangers before allowing him or her to fish unsupervised. While you can use things like barbless hooks to reduce injuries, accidents are still bound to happen.

If you do happen to get a barbed hook caught in your skin, there are a few ways to approach treatment. One important item to have in your tackle box is some form of disinfectant. You should either carry a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or a commercial medicated spray such as Bactine. First, remove any remnants of live bait or other contaminants from the hooked area and wash liberally with water or peroxide. There may be some bleeding involved, so be prepared with some gauze bandages or a clean paper towel or something clean and absorbent.

Examine the hooked area carefully. You may be able to remove the hook by following the direction of entry and pulling backwards. This is especially true with barbless hooks. Simply treat it as you would a splinter- pull it out in the direction it went in, then clean and bandage the wound. If the hook is caught much deeper, then you may have no other choice but to push it in the direction of the hook and pull it through the skin. This may be a traumatic experience for a small child, so you might want to consider bracing the hook with tape and heading to a local doctor for treatment, if at all possible. If you have no other choice, go ahead and push the barbed end through the skin and clip the end with a pair of wire cutters. You can then remove the rest of the hook safely by using the first method.

3. Tangles, tangles, tangles. Although not a life-threatening emergency, getting your line caught in a tree or your hook hopelessly buried in an underwater log can be a major nuisance. You should approach such situations with caution, however, because a seemingly minor problem can turn into a major disaster if you fail to plan ahead.

Remember that your fishing pole is usually a carefully engineered piece of sporting equipment, not a flimsy toy. If you have a line caught in a tree or other obstruction, try to get your fishing rod out of the rescue effort quickly. Reel out enough slack to allow you to put down the pole and work with the tangled line itself. Using the pole as leverage will most likely put too much stress on the eyelets that control your line. These eyelets can break or become damaging to your line. You wouldn't use your prized putter to fish a golf ball out of a water hazard, so why use your best rod as a stick?

If you do find yourself hopelessly tangled in a tree branch or other above-water obstruction, you should first let out enough tension on the line to rest your pole safely out of the way. Next, decide on a good approach to untangle the line. Sometimes it's much easier to deal with the obstruction than the trapped lure or hook. Consider snapping off the branch or breaking off the entire obstruction rather than risk personal injury by tugging forcefully on the line. Follow the line to the tangle without undue strain on yourself or your boat. Getting out of position while attempting to unhook a snag can cause a whole lot more problems than a $5 lure is worth. You could potentially fall out of the boat, strain muscles and ligaments, or end up with a deeply-buried hook in a vital area. Never grab the line and pull with all of your might in a tangle situation. Not only will you increase the chance of a serious injury, you will also compromise the test strength of the line once it is released. Sometimes it's best to cut your losses and reset your pole with new tackle.

4. Running out of bait. Again, not a life-threatening fishing emergency, but one that can turn a day of fun into a frustrating day of staring at the water.

Your first solution could already be sitting in the tackle box. Many fish, especially the smaller ones favored by children, will bite on smaller portions of worms than you may expect. If your earthworm supply seems limited, consider dividing each worm into halves, thirds or even quarters. Each section will still react and move as a whole unit, so you shouldn't notice too much inactivity on the part of hungry fish.

Another source of bait may be in the same water you're fishing. Look for small crawfish burrowing near the shore. If you are fast enough to catch one (or are handy with a small net), you can pinch off their tails and use the small piece of meat as bait. Crawfish tails will regenerate, so you are not causing permanent damage. Many fish will bite on this type of fresh bait.

In a real pinch, take a long look at your lunch box for bait ideas. Fish have been known to bite on small pieces of bread, especially if compressed into a ball. Fish also enjoy cheese-flavored foods, so that last cheese puff could conceivably bring in the big one. Catfish are especially eager to sample unusual foods, especially those that reach their usual feeding grounds on the bottom. If you do use unconventional bait, you may want to re-rig your tackle for bottom fishing. Attach your sinker to the end of the line, then place your hook several inches up the line. You won't need a bobber or any other float. You will need to monitor your line carefully, since your only bite indicator may be a sudden tug on the line.

Fishing can be a wonderful bonding experience between parent and child, but you need to keep safety a high priority when children are first learning the sport. When in doubt, lead by example. Set realistic boundaries - if the weather is threatening, don't insist on 'roughing it out'. Anticipate a few mishaps along the way-you can't keep EVERY accident from happening. If a minor hooking or snag occurs, just work the problem and resume your own fun. Children will key off of your attitude, so keep the day light and relatively stress-free. Many fishing accidents occur when people become tired, frustrated or impatient.