Death in Merimbula

[Jew Stalker]

On Monday last week a man disappeared fishing Haycock point. His equipment was found by another rock fisherman at around 2pm and with no person around he quickly notified authorities. There was a massive search but to no avail that day. The following afternoon 3 friends of mine were fishing near long point (on the other side of Merimbula bay) aiming at some squid after not such a successful morning out when one of them saw something floating in the water, as they moved closer it soon became apparent what it was. My friends had no idea that the man was missing so it was quite a shock to be face to face with the deceased. As rescuers and divers were getting prepared to scour the ocean floor they received a call notifying them of the macabre finding. They were informed of the rock fishermans disappearance and asked to remain with the deceased until emergency officials had arrived. Over the next two hours my friends were with the 57 year old Canberra man until the arrival of rescuers and were exposed to the grim realities of the sport they love so much. One of the guys didn't take it so well and was visually traumatised by the event.

So there is what happened, lets take a look at why. The man from Canberra was fishing a spot he was unfamiliar with which can be quite treacherous. This particular spot is quite out of the way, the swell was up with windy conditions, I am presuming that after taking the effort to get to the location he did not want to return without having a fish or he was not familiar with swell patterns in the area and how they hit the rocks. He was fishing alone and was not wearing any kind of floatation device.

To me this recipe spells nothing but disaster which in this case is how it played out. I am local to this area and fish from the stones on a very regular basis and it amazes me the things I witness sometimes and genuinely makes me hold my breath. I have seen people descending ledges between waves to grab lures, people fishing alone and paying no attention to the ocean, people even fishing with waves breaking behind them, people taking children to rock ledges in suspect conditions and there is never anyone with a life jacket!!! More often than not everything is fine and there are no mishaps but the events of last week demonstrates the fragility of life and the futility of his actions. No matter how safe you think you are nature (especially the ocean) always has a way of surprising us.

It never really hits home until it involves your own backyard and people you know so for the sake of your families and the people that will potentially find you if you don't use common sense, (if you are found at all) be safe... No fish or lure is worth your life. If conditions are bad, submit to nature and fish elsewhere where conditions are much better or go home with your life and go back there when conditions are more suiting.

If for some reason you are swept off your ledge swim away from the rocks and the aerated water as it is no longer as buoyant like normal settled water and you will be taken under because the air in the water is unable to support your mass. Always have a suitable re-entry point located onto the rocks where there is no white water and the swell is gentler, if you are unable to locate one I advise not fishing there at all because rogue waves frequently occur and no matter how calm the day, you are never truly out of harms reach.

Fish smart... Please.

Lucard Olswick.

[Blood Knot]

Very sad for the anglers family and the Fisho's that found him. Some good advice Jew Stalker.

Blood Knot

[krist1303]

Life's short so stay safe.

R.I.P