Hit the water this AM, only saw 1 other boat on the water all day. I was actually having a decent day, caught several 12"ers, twice that many a little smaller. Wind picked-up early on, but calmed down after an hour or so.
Time always slips away from me when I'm fishing, if I'm out at 6AM, and intend to head-in at noonish, it's 3-4PM when I return. Sprinkled a little, nothing to speak of. The other boat went-in, I fished another hour or two, and decided to head-in myself.
I was still in deep water when I high-centered on a stump, must have been a skinny/pointed one because I've run-up on a number of them. When I did this time, I didn't balance, I rolled-over port-side. Needless to say my mind was void of happy thoughts as I hit the water, which last I looked was 52*. I must have went in on a stump, since I have some minor rib pain on my left upper ribs. Happened so fast I'm not really sure what happened, I know I clung to a stump, kayak was upside down in the water. It took 2 tries, but I finally got it righted.
1st thing I did was went after the tupperware container which held my wallet, camera, and cell. Tossed it in the Kayak, and looked for the paddle, it was under the Kayak, so I grabbed it, and tossed it in as well. I looked, and both my rods, untethered, were still in the rocket launcher, don't ask me how. I was worried I wouldn't be able to get back in, but somehow managed on the 1st attempt. I was sure thankful for that!
I lost a 5 gallon plastic bucket, pair of needle nose and line clippers, my Kayak Cart was floating away, so I grabbed it with the paddle, and in it went, I also lost the leg/kickstand for my PVC cart, not a biggie. My feet were already cold, before I got wet, and now my rubber knee boots were full of water. I also put on a pair of heavy insulated blue jeans, since it was supposed to be cool today.
I headed for camp, knowing the more time passed, the colder I was going to get. Granted, I was paddling, which helped generate some heat, but I also had lots more stumps to pass-over before hitting land. It took me the better part of 30 minutes I suppose (since it's usually a 20 minute paddle for me), naturally I found a few stumps on the way in, I wanted to hurry, but didn't want to take a second dunk. I doubt I'd have gotten back in the 2nd time. Once I hit shallow water (5'), I increased speed where I thought I could.
When I landed on shore, I was in a hurry to get out, and head straight to the bath house next to camp. I generally have trouble getting out from just setting, but now I was wet and cold in addition. I pretty much just rolled-out into the water (which was only 6" deep), and got to my feet, grabbed the carry handle on the bow, and drug it across 2 camp sites and the road, dropping it at my campsite. I stripped-down to my underwear and T-shirt (thankfully I'm the only one left on this end of the campground), found my door keys, and realized I was having just a slight problem functioning when it came to opening the bus door. I keep a shower bag packed, including clothes, so I came-in long enough to grab it, toss my wet clothes in the shower (what didn't get tossed on the picnic table) and headed next door to the shower. I was pretty cold at this point, and could really feel my rib hurting.
The shower temp is pre-set, and while normally feels plenty warm, felt as if it were scalding hot as I stood under it, but I didn't care, I wanted to get warm as fast as I could. I stayed-in for about 30 minutes, until the major coldness was gone, got dressed, and came back to the bus to crank the heat up. Feel a whole lot better now, after eating a hot meal, and having a 2nd cup of Irish Coffee. Rib's still tender, but better, don't think I did anything other than bump it pretty good.
Oh, and the Frankenchair worked just fine, and now that I think about it I probably lost a small throw rug I'd folded-up for a seat cushion. There's likely a couple Gatorade bottles floating in the lake, and as much as I hate to litter, I wasn't too concerned about going after them.
It's good to feel dry and warm! Well, I guess tomorrow I'll have to access my losses, and get things re-rigged for the next time out.
I also realize now it wasn't a smart choice on my part to be on this lake, with nobody else around. It won't happen again. Any other lake but this one, but not this one again while the water's so low.