Thread: Unusual Sight at Dale Hollow 2/21/20

Yesterday I had a client with me spider-rigging at Dale Hollow Lake. The water is still high and murky and fishing was tough. We did manage, however, to catch a dozen quality crappie plus a bass or two. I have fished all my life in all kinds of situations and all kinds of weather, but it was, beyond any doubt, the coldest day I have ever spent on the water. When we unloaded the boat the temp and wind combined made it feel like 11 degrees. It never went a lot above that all day. Get the picture? It was COLD! But about lunchtime, we looked up to see a very large boat coming toward us....not a fishing boat, a big ski rig. And lo and behold, there was a guy behind it water skiing! Now....the water temp was 48 degrees and I've already mention the air temp. At that time, I would say that the air temp was about 30 degrees and the NE wind made it feel like 20. I know this....the fishing lines on our trolling poles were still freezing to our rod tips at times....and here was this guy----skiing! Sure, he had on a wet suit, but I just don't see what kept him from getting hypothermia. His head and face were bare, as well as his hands. THe guy had to be FREEZING! I told my client, " In 50 years I've seen a lot of dumb things on the lake, but this just about takes the cake!" I was sitting there shivering already....and seeing this guy skiing didn't make me a bit warmer!

I was the guy in the blue ranger who witnessed this along with you! Not only was the idiot water skiing in 30 degree weather, they entered a no ski zone as well! Good thing I was off duty and didn’t have my ticket book! It was certainly a different kind of cold! I don’t see how it was humanly possible to be water skiing without getting hypothermia! I actually have a video of it but for some reason I can’t post it. The fishing was tough.