It's been a while since I've posted here so Hi everyone ! I've fished the Cap well over a couple hundred times. One time, ohh about a dozen years ago and around this time of season I went with my brother to Big Rock in the canyon. After hiking in I had a to cross a small stream at the time to access Big Rock. The water level as we began was at a lovely 2 feet, per the marker at the hatchery so the stream only came up a little above my ankles. My brother stayed fishing on the other side of the stream and I fished with one other person I'd never met on BR. It rained a bit as the hours passed, we caught some jack's and released them and had a lovely time.
After about 5 hours of fishing nearing 5 o'clock we decided to head out and it was only then that I saw how much the water had risen. As I fished I had known the water was rising but little would I expect that that little stream was now a raging current going through that narrow opening. For me and the young fellow that was fishing with me there was no possible way to cross back safely and the rain was starting to fall harder. My brother was on the other side and I knew he had a safety rope so I told the guy beside me here's the plan. We toss our rods over and our vests, then I will catch Tim's rope and wrap it around my waist. I will then go to the side of BR where the water was calmer and jump in. Tim will pull as I swim and I'll reach the opposite side wet, cold but alive. Then we'll throw the rope to you, rinse and repeat.
We threw Tim our rods and vests and he tossed over the safety rope. I fastened it securely and was all set to move to the side of BR and jump in and swim. But to my utter amazement the young fellow standing to the left of me said, "Hold on, lets just see." and then he stuck his right foot into the raging waterfall. He was carried away in a second and he grabbed me in desperation to stay alive. I went in as well and as we both were pushed through the raging water I felt hundreds of bubbles and cold and wet but strangely I was peaceful, it didn't frighten me. When we passed through we both popped up, the current still extremely strong and the youngster was hanging onto me for dear life.
I screamed to Tim to not let go of the rope and after a few seconds he shouted back "I can't hold you both." Well there was nothing we could do but pray as we both did our best to swim to shore and Tim pulled. It seemed longer but was probably under a minute when we finally made it to land, thank God. It was the closest I've ever been to death from fishing the Cap and I know that river better than any river I've ever fished. It is a killer and if you don't fish smart and safe it will take your life, guaranteed. We did on this trip underestimate the rising of the river, that was on us. But afterward we did all the correct moves except one. The unknown quantity of being and fishing with someone that didn't take the river seriously and could of cost us both of our lives. All it takes is one mistake and one second to make it and you are done. I apologize for this stories length but I hope you learn something from it. My condolences to this man that just lost his life and to those he left behind to mourn.