2009.06.25
Here's a shot of Ralph Barton's big "catch"
As promised, here's the second shot Ralph sent.
You've got to respect a guy who will share not only the good from his adventures afield, but also the ugly!
And, man, two Owner trebles buried deep in a guy's head looks ugly.
Ralph's son, Justin, was the unlucky receipient of the plug in the head -- something that can happen when three people are fishing out of a 15-foot boat.
The good news is Justin said the pain really wasn't bad. The bad news is he was so surprised by the blow that he dropped an expensive rod and reel combo into the lake. (Guess Ralph owes his boy a new outfit, huh?)
The trio headed off to hospital in Bedford where a doctor quickly removed the hooks, then had an early breakfast at McDonald's before heading home to download and laugh at the pictures from their interesting night on Smith Mountain Lake.
OMG!!! I've seen a guy take a treble hook through the lip before, but that looks awfully worst and painful.
Lord only knows when his mother seen those pictures she was fit to be tied. Take care and again *OUCH*!!!
Comment by Static Lines — June 25, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Yep, that is a "YIKES" for sure. If it is any consolation, you aren't the first & won't be the last person to get hooked.
Comment by Stu — June 26, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
WOW !!!! That looks painful, From the looks of the length apart of the hooks could it have been a thunderstick? Great pic,s Thanks....Moe
Comment by Moe — June 27, 2009 @ 11:49 am
I had this same thing happen to me in Canada about 15 years ago. This pic brings back memories!
Comment by Todd Hostetter — June 27, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Yep Moe.... it was a Thunderstick. And I change the hooks, those are brand new Owners - Very Sharp!
I guess it's inevitable if you fish long enough these things will happen but I sure did hate to stick my own boy! I've actually been very lucky... in 40 years of fishing I've had a lot of close calls but that's the first time I've stuck somebody else past the barbs. In that time I've gotten stuck myself twice.... once from a large, flopping bass and once from a fishing partner.
Justin is completely over the injury..... he said the tetanus shot hurt a lot worse than the hook wounds!!! He's also ready to get back out there fishing! me and him and my daughter are heading back out on Thursday night. Hopefully on this trip our hooks will only get stuck in fish Lips!!!!
Comment by Ralph Barton — June 29, 2009 @ 4:56 am
I bet that hurt, maybe you should invest in a helmet.
Comment by Jason — June 29, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Video of Rattle Snake on lake. Just when getting hooked is the least of your worries Justin.
http://bassfan.com/tv_play.asp?id=119
Comment by Backlash — June 30, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Thanks for the Video link!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL Rattlesnake!!!!
That won't "rattle' Justin at all by the way.... my kids are very used to snakes. I've been catching them and bringing them home since they were babies. I love snakes.... I take scouting trips out to the mountains in late summer just to look for rattlers. I caught a big one while mountain biking a couple weeks ago in the National Forest near Black Horse Gap. We usually have a snake or two in an aquarium at my house during the summer just for a conversation piece. (We turn them loose in the fall so they can go hibernate).
OK, I know what ya'll are thinking now......
He's Dangerous and CRAZY!!!!!
Hope everybody has a great 4th of July Holiday!!!!!
Comment by Ralph Barton — July 2, 2009 @ 4:43 pm
Ralph & Justin
As a Snake lover, I will say is be careful. Have you seen the Florida Everglades and Georgia with the Pythons story. Several years ago in Orlando Fl the police shot a 15ft. King Cobra in a man's garage.
Or 4 years ago kids in Ohio were playing with a 3ft. Gaboon Viper.
And just this past Monday a Memphis man reported to police and Animal Control in Memphis a 10ft. python eating a pit bull dog.
Problem was proper authority's always assumes it's a joke until they eventually show up or in Memphis case see proof.....
Snake got away and still at large.
People love these exotic and dangerous animals but when they get free they say nothing or they turn them loose because they become to much to handle.
So getting treble hooked is the least of our summer worries.
Comment by Static Lines — July 2, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Hello Static!
Thanks for the insightful comments.
Just to clarify things.... I do not bring the poisonous snakes back home. A Rattler is a beautiful creature but If I catch one I simply admire him and take photos. I leave him in the mountains far away from civilization. I would never endanger anyone in my household by taking a chance on a having a potentially dangerous critter get loose. Plus my girlfriend, Jan, hikes and bikes with me....... and she's not gonna ride back to town with a rattlesnake in the car!!!!!!!!!
I do love snakes and many other critters that I catch frequently, (lizards, turtles, salamanders, etc.etc.) I just love nature and all of God's wild creations. I have had a fascination with wildlife since I was a snall child. The snakes I keep at home usually are garter snakes, green snakes, corn snakes, black sankes, etc.etc. As I said these are just for temporary observation, the kids really get a kick out of watching them.
The last two years I've taken a snake to my boy's school and gave the kids in his class a "snake lesson". It is so much fun..... all the kids come up and pet the snake and many want to hold it. I also have a book I bring along titled "A GUIDE TO THE SNAKES OF VIRGINIA" to help with the lesson. By the way, that's a GREAT book for all outdoorsman to have - it's available from VDGIF.
I hope all of ya'll out there are enjoying your INDEPENDANCE DAY weekend!
I am very thankful that we live in a country where we have these beautiful mountains and forests where we can go to enjoy nature's bounty!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Comment by Ralph Barton — July 5, 2009 @ 8:08 am