Glen, sorry if I posted this on the wrong post so please move it as necessary.

We had a tradegy in Richmond as two 13 year old boys went canoeing and drowned when they fell out of the canoe.

There were high winds on the reservoir that day which caused the canoe to captize.

The boys were about 1,000 feet from shore but with the water temperatures in the 40s the police said they probably lasted about 5 to 10 minutes in the water. Neither boy was wearing a life vest.

So please wear your personal safety devices at all times while in the boat and have those seat cushions ready to throw overboard. We all understand how important it is to avoid falling out of the boat (which is always funny in the summer when it happens to your fishing partner).  We also need to have an extra set of warm clothes, blankets, matches and a paper log to start a fire on shore when you go out in cold water.

Cold water will take us away faster than we can imagine and we don't want to lose anyone to hypothermia.

It always pains me to hear of this type tragedy. My heart and prayers go out the their families! :'(

Having owned and operated a canoe/kayak resort in north central Arkansas I was "lucky" that none of my guests had such misfortune. Other operations on the Spring River were not so lucky. The Spring River comes strait out of the ground at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Water temp is a constant 58 degrees year round. My point in telling you this is that even in summer under the wrong conditions you can suffer from Hypothermia and lose your life. Mother Nature can be extremely beautiful but she can be very unforgiving toward those who do not give her the proper respect.

A local river expert/guide tells his story in the local free fishing newspaper here in Mountain Home. With all his knowledge and skills, if not for a novice on the river, would have lost his life to this unforgiving teacher. He himself sums it up best when he said he had gotten away so many times not giving the river it's proper respect. On that one day he almost paid for his arrogance with his life. So no matter your age, knowledge, or skill level; you are playing with your life if you don't follow the basic safety rules each and every time you are on the water.

I will add my second to that having all but given myself up to drowning. The air never smelled so sweet than when it filled my burning lungs after finally reaching the surface and safety. I am to this day grateful for being given a second chance and have since given Mother Nature here due. I always wear a lifejacket. Mine is a specially designed one that allows me free movement for paddling and fishing. When I guided, some of my guests would tease me about always wearing it, as most other guides either did not or only in the tougher rapids. I smiled and said I wore it because it was my responsibility to watch over them when they needed me. But more importantly I did it for me, my wife, children and grandchildren because I want to do everything possible to be around for them. If some day the Lord sees fit to take me I will have done all that I could do and will wait for my young ones on the other side of that river until we are reunited. God Bless and keep yourselves safe!