from my article on FishExplorer.COM

I was out fishing yesterday morning, had not been at the lake long, when I could hear thunder in the distance. A few minutes later a flash of lightning lit up the sky, no rain had fallen at my location yet. I was fishing with my usual long 13 ft rods. I decided that it was not worth the risk and packed up for the day and headed home. I was disappointed to only have gotten in a brief few hours yet safety must always come first.

Next to me was a family, 2 adults, 2 young kids. They continued fishing as the storm closed in. I was at a loss for words in the sanity of their actions. Perhaps they wisely also decided to call it a day and seek shelter after I had left ? Lets hope so.

Lightning strikes kill on average a hundred or so people each year, time times that number survive, leaving many with lifelong injuries and disabilities. Colorado is a hot spot for lightning and two tourists were recently killed in RMNP.

Lightning can strike 10-15 mile from the storm. If you can hear the thunder, or if you can see the flash and the bolt, then you are within range of any lightning the storm produces – simple as that !

If you are out on the water, and you are hearing thunder, that should be an indicator to head to land and shelter.

Do not wait for the lightning to be blasting around you before you decide to call it quits – by then, it could be too late!

If you are caught out in the open on land.

– STOP fishing
– Avoid open fields
– Stay away from tall isolated trees.
– Get away from the water
– If your car is nearby, take shelter, avoid touching the metal.
– A tent, BIVVY, umbrella, is not a safe shelter

(I have sheltered under my umbrella in the past, not smart!)

If you are caught out on the open on water in a small open boat.

– Drop anchor and stay as low as possible
– STOP fishing and waving those lightning rods about!

Wait at least 30 minutes until the last roll of thunder before considering it safe to be back outside in the open if you must continue to fish.

This simple blog does not even cover flash flooding, for all those who love to fish our rivers and streams. Given recent weather here in Colorado, consideration should be given not only to where you are fishing, but what the weather is doing upstream/river from you – many miles away!

We all love fishing, we all love being outdoors, but please, do so safely.

Tight-Lines,
John