Not a humorous thread this, so if you're looking for a laugh look elsewhere.
As some of you will know a group of us go to Assynt every year for a weeks fishing trip, covering everything from wee brownies to bloody great Pollock. As a group we never stray far from each other when shore fishing on the sea, partly for the craic but also for the safety element. Every year we lose anglers to accidents on the coast and this latest event up here in the North
http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Hopes-fade-for-missing-angler-29092011.htm has triggered this post.
We all take risks from time to time, but can I implore forum members to consider the following before going out on 'tricky' areas of foreshore on
their own.
1. Let someone know where you are going and stick to that plan.
2. Let someone know when you are leaving to go and when you'll be back.
3. Consider the conditions (wind, sea state, tide, forecast conditions) - is it worth the risk
4. Wear a life jacket. If you are swept in (or fall in) then it could save your life.
More locally to many forum members is the foreshore between Aberdeen and Montrose, every winter it claims the life's of more anglers than it should. I don't mean to preach, all I ask is that you consider the four points above.
Please do not let it be you that the emergency services have to search for, be prepared, be careful and enjoy many seasons of safe coastal fishing.
Hamish