All the required items were packed, some the night before as I had planned a long awaited trip to Hope to visit with my sister and along the way, a stop at the Vedder and perhaps a talk to Mr. or Mrs. Steel. One last stop before hitting the highway, a quick pick-up of 2 ham n egger sandwiches and 3 hashbrowns from A & W and I was on my way. A beautifully sunny day as I flew down Hwy. 1
making sure to keep the speed limit a respectable 100 to 105. No hurry today as my day was as free as a smile and a happy Hello. Others whizzing past me though had different thoughts I am sure, and I became as I have been doing of late, philosophical in my thinking. Thinking of the real meaning of life and ones existence for the brief period of time we have on earth. It is a heavy question and one each man and woman will ponder at least once in their lifetime and hopefully arrive at an answer that they'll be happy with.
For me, I have my answer and perhaps in another thread this topic will be covered or if you ever meet me feel free to ask and I would be happy to fill you in on what I think, but for now back to this report. Traffic was moving briskly along up until just before Mission and then it slowed to a crawl and as we crawled along I would look at the slowly passing terrain and the beauty of our land and what do I see. Two bald eagles sitting atop a large tree just watching us meandering down the highway and perhaps discussing to each other in their own terms the meaning of life. We finally see what the problem is, an accident involving three vehicles, none damaged to badly and a police officer handling things nicely so back we all go to flying down the road. The spot I had decided to fish was the gravel pit area just west of Keith Wilson Rd and as I passed by the bridge area there were about 10 vehicles parked and it looked quite busy for a Friday. I finally arrive at my spot, only four other fishermen and one young woman and all were using spey or other fly fishing set-ups. I always enjoy seeing women out fishing as I wish there were more that would partake of this great sport. I had came with two rods, one had a pink worm and the other would be used for roe bags, shrimps and single eggs and wool. I spoke with three of the other people fishing and the one fellow said he had seen a steelie caught two hours earlier by another angler, so that got my hopes up. Water visibility was quite good about 3 feet but was a little lower than I have seen for this area. I used all my available baits and gear casting long, short and even sideways but after three hours of fishing, sometimes having the entire run for myself I couldn't entice a steelie to bite. But it was a beautiful day to be out with a brisk breeze at times cutting into my face and ears. I decided to just make my way to Hope and my sister and went south down K W Road thinking I would go down Lickman to reach the Hwy. I see a commotion ahead and at the corner of Blackburn Rd. and K W there is a bad accident. Apparently upon talking to the woman involved, a black gmc vehicle with two young guys about 21 or 22 years old and a young woman about 19 had went right through the stop sign and she had no options available to her as her Ford F350 slammed into their side sending their car flying upside down into the field and her truck following suit landing right beside them upside down. I ran down to help the injured parties and me and another man help a very hurting and crying young girl up out of the field. One man had lost it looked like, all his front teeth and there were numerous bumps, bruises and who knows what else from the parties involved. The least hurt was the woman in the F350 but all were fortunate that it wasn't more serious. The black truck was totally totalled and the 350 had a few thousand dollars in damage. Two accidents I saw in just three hours out and lives that may never quite be the same again and it makes me think again of how quickly it could all end, and what, if anything, is the meaning of life. Be careful out there and make good choices and Good Fishing To All.
Author
Topic: Chilliwack River, February 27th 2009 (Read 3243 times)