Keep an eye out for fishing nets

Pepi · Wed May 12, 10 7:20 pm **Keep an eye out for fishing nets**

Just did a downwinder session today from Viento to Sandbar.

Thought it would be good to mention that I saw about 5 or 6 good sized drift nets anchored along the Oregon side if the river.
It seems that most of these are being set at about the same locations as some of us like to session when looking for swell or butter (both elements occurring due to strong water currents along the shoreline).

These lines ran about 30-40 yards out from the shoreline and were anchored to buoys semi-submerged. The connections to the shoreline would run from either being submerged, to a couple of feet out of the water (definitely unavoidable).

The first couple of nets were on the immediate downwind section from Viento, and the others were consecutively placed along the shoreline til just after where the road comes closest to the river (where the river pinches a bit).

Anyways, kite careful, keep your eyes open and make sure someone in your group has a knife in case you get caught. I carry a double bladed kiteknife at all times on downwinders due to this possible situation.

Thanks
Pepi

Mark · Wed May 12, 10 8:06 pm

Beware the net tied to the big rock in Stevenson......

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for the heads up, Pepi. Glad you brought up the knife issue! I need one but the ones I had seem to rust rapidly and become dull. How is the quality/rust resistance of the knife you carry? do you sell it or any other good quality knifes at 2nd wind?

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Thanks Moto. I'll need to pick one up before I hit the water.

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 763 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

i got hooked on this last weekend while swimming in when the wind died. not real fun to deal with.

not sure i want to be on the receiving end when the owners finding you cutting into there nets either.

kt

Pepi · Thu May 13, 10 2:32 pm

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Mark · Thu May 13, 10 4:38 pm

The double blade that Pepi is talking about looks like a regular hook knife. With one big exception. It has two blades inside.

Don't worry you won't cut yourself with it!

scottnorby · Thu May 13, 10 6:26 pm

Those are most likely set net gill nets that are owned by the tribes.

Only Indians can commercially fish with set nets.

The nets are very expensive I would not risk thinking you may have to cut one up.

Dealing with the tribes is like dealing with the federal government...they will get their money from you.

And don't damage them without reporting to them.
That's even worse.

They are great people.
But those nets are part of their bread and butter livelihood.

Pepi · Thu May 13, 10 7:38 pm

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

I am a survivor of a fishing net tangle, and have some observations and suggestions to share on this subject.

My experience took place in the Narrows along the Oregon side. I was glad that I had my windsurfer to hang onto to keep my head above water, while I reached down and untangled the net from my feet. Since then, I have paid a lot of attention to location of the floats marking the nets.

Observations:

(1) many of the nets are set in locations having strong river current
(2) when you first get caught in the netting, nothing much happens, but soon, you drift downstream...and then it gets scary, as the net tightens, and you feel yourself being pulled under water
(3) the zipper pulls and velcro tabs on booties are the first thing that snags the netting
(4) if you are wearing a wet suit and booties, you can't feel the netting on your legs, until the downriver drift tightens the netting

Suggestions:

(1) Stay far away from the marker floats...there may be a submerged float, marking the end of the netting closer to you than you think...some Indians use better quality markers than others...and some floats sink or get ripped off the top line.

(2) If you sense that your foot is caught in the net, assume the worst, and immediately start feeling around with your hand, to double check...don't wait until you have drifted downstream, and the net has tightened.

(3) Plan A should be: untangle the net and swim free of the net...Plan B should be: Use your kite to pull you downwind and upstream of the net. This may pull your foot out of the netting. Don't do a lot of kicking, or you may entangle the other foot...better to point your toes, and try to glide your foot out of the holes in the netting....Plan C should be to abandon all your equipment, take a good breath, and seriously work to feel for the netting, unwrap the line, get your feet out of your booties, be careful not to get your hands tangled...and take another good breath, whenever you can.

(4) As far as knives go...I would not bet my life on them...I would consider the use of a knife as Plan D. Beware of the attitude and 'false sense of security' that may come with carrying of a knife. If you are going to count on a knife getting you out of trouble, you will have to do a lot of training beforehand...like a special forces cadet...otherwise, you are just carrying a talisman. Part of the training will involve research into what type of blade to carry, where to carry the blade, and also, the development of the skill to properly maintain the edge on that blade.

The following is a link to a thread on Kiteforum, which covers the many aspects of
the subject of "kite-knives":

http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2343820&start=0

After doing a lot of research and experimentation with kite knives, the only thing that I am sure of is this... If you want to know how to maintain and sharpen the blade of a knife that you plan on using for kiting, consult Ben dale, owner of Edge Pro knife sharpeners, located in the heights of Hood River, near the nursery. He is a kiter, and will show you how to sharpen your knife, and will also, sell you the device to get the job done and keep the blade sharp.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

that sounded really really bad (it is surprising once you get your foot caught - common cause of drowning in the river - usually from walking on a rocky bottom in the current - how quickly things can go south... )

i used to carry one of these (Blowhard recommended...)

http://www.888knivesrus.com/product/BM5BLKW/BENCHMADE-5-RESCUE-HOOK-BLACK-SOFT-SHEATH-WSMALL-MALICE-CLIP-INCLUDED.html

pretty compact at 3"x3" - mine did pop out of the stock nylon holster which I threaded to the harness - may try again with some rubber bands as backup

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

I carry one of these... comes in handy for be-heading windsurfers Wink

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I think I'm terrified of nets now.

Last year the damn fishermen were moving their nets over and over with like 30 people out at Stevenson. It was pretty freaky but a little different than nets with no one around and poorly marked. One thing I noticed is that the fishermen do not care a bit about kiteboarders. Not that they are hostile or anything, it's just that they are going to put their net where the fish are regardless of where you are kiteboarding.

Andy