I fished the Rose River in Shenandoah National Park on Saturday, and I was a very bad Scout. You know, with the motto “Be Prepared.” I was not. I slipped on a wet rock — the substrate there, while looking very much like the substrate in CT, is far smoother, ergo less purchase — and fell hard. My first reaction in this situation is to protect my rod, which I held in my left hand. I landed hard on my right side, specifically my right outer thigh (where I’m sporting a ~most excellent~ bruise today). I clawed at something to latch onto with my right hand. (You’ll want to skip this part if you’re squeamish.) I got up, feeling the pain in my thigh, and numbness on the ring finger of my right hand. My hand was covered in blood. Great! I ripped off the tip of the finger skin, a good dime size, which was now hanging by a flap.
So, Idiot 1: I left my wading staff in the car. Idiot 2: I had no first aid kit with me. All had was a length of TP that I had had the foresight to bring along. I washed the wound in the creek, then applied some hand sanitizer to it, which was so staggeringly painful I’m getting skeeved just recalling it. I used the TP and pressure to stop the bleeding. But now what? I needed some kind of makeshift bandage. I rummaged through my back pack and was stoked to find a container of band-aids. Having them was sheer luck. This was my steelhead pack, and normally I wouldn’t have them.
Then, on the way out, as I was stepping out of the river, my right ankle bent at an odd angle. I felt a snap/crackle/pop on the inside of my ankle. This also really hurt, and I feared the worse. How the hell am I going to walk over a mile back to the car with no support (see Idiot#1). Fortunately, it was only some kind of sprain/strain. I was able, after a few minutes, to put weight on my foot. I hobbled back to the parking area. Today, I’m walking only with a slight limp.
I’m still mad at myself for not having some basics for the backcountry: staff, first aid kit, even bug spray, and some kind of signaling device. I’m working on fixing of all of this as you read this. I’ll be posting about what I find and buy in the future. Fishing trips are supposed to be fun, but there are always risks in the wild. There’s no excuse to be so unprepared. Thus chagrinned and self-admonished, here endeth the lesson.
currentseams.com 
Age is creeping up on us all ouch!Now since you hung in there[bravo].What tugged on the tippet?
This is primarily a brook trout stream, although there are also brown trout and dace.
Super glue works wonders closing some gnarly wounds. Believe me I know .
I’ve heard that, but I’m reluctant to put such substance on an open wound. I do have a medical grade brush on skin sealer that I use for very small nicks and winter skin breaks.
Oh no, time to practice the seated 3 finger roll cast. Get better soon. Welcome to VA.
🙂 Thank you.
Sorry to hear that! It’s amazing how fast you can go down on slick rocks. I mostly fish alone and the thing I’m most afraid of is going down hard and hitting my head on a rock.
I always use a staff these days. But I almost never have a first aid kit with me on trips of few hours.
Zak
Fortunately, the most grievous wound was to my pride. The ankle thing is proving to be worse than the fall.
Hope you heal quickly and fully !! I’ve managed to retain my Cat-like grace as I start my 6th decade , but gravity does rule and everyone bites it once in a while . My fave was years ago on the Sea of Cortez , East Cape , Baja Sur – while trying to come tight to a Fish in the surf , I scooted/ran backwards and ate it on a large , triangle shaped rock (now known as ‘Backbreaker’ ). Failed to break my Spine , or crush my glasses case …. but it was startling and painful . Be safe !!
I feel your pain, brother. Sucks getting old, but hopefully staying active and eating right will stave off mobility issues. At least, that’s my plan!