Float and No Fish - Float Trip Gone Wrong

Just made it home from a float-and-fish trip, and honestly, I’m feeling a little humbled today.

Conner and I got up early and set out on a 3-mile float, hoping to tangle with a few smallmouth. It just wasn’t in the cards. We had a couple of hits, a few follows, but not a single fish made it to hand. Skunked.

But that wasn’t the end of the story.

Less than a mile from our takeout, Mother Nature decided she wasn’t finished with me yet. I got bushwhacked by a low-hanging limb that ripped my GoPro right off the mount. Before I even had time to process what happened, I was using my paddle to push away from another tree hanging over the water. The boat shifted, started to dump me out, and I quickly decided a controlled exit was better than an uncontrolled one.

Well… that plan didn’t exactly go as expected.

My shorts caught on the boat, the boat nearly rolled over, and suddenly I was tangled up and trying to free myself before things got worse. I finally ripped loose, but not before my favorite pair of Simms shorts were practically torn completely off. Gone. Finished. Done.

Thank goodness I had two shirts on. I ended up tying my long-sleeve shirt around my waist so I didn’t moon everyone at the takeout.

To top it all off, Conner and I spent at least 30 minutes searching for the missing GoPro with no luck. I was definitely frustrated in the moment, but as I sit here writing this, I realize it’s all just stuff. Stuff can be replaced.

Today, Mother Nature reminded me once again who’s really in charge.

“No fish for you today… and by the way, I’m taking your shorts and your camera too.”

No matter how much experience you have or how careful you try to be, things can happen fast on the water. Sometimes you have control, and sometimes you don’t. The important thing is learning from it and making it home safely.

I’m grateful to be home tonight, safe and laughing about it. Total equipment loss today roughly $700 that includes my shorts 😂

A huge thank you to Taylor (ChubbyCreeks on Instagram) for patiently waiting to shuttle us today. I appreciate you, brother, we’ll get them next time.

And one last thing—if anyone happens to find a GoPro Hero 13 on Indian Creek, please reach out. There’s a reward waiting for its return. 

Some days you catch fish. Some days you catch a lesson. Be safe!