Smelting Safety - don't be swept away.

[Peter Dahl]

Smelting can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous.
Lives have been lost in the past by smelters being swept away at the mouth of rivers. In fact they used to put a rope across the mouth of the Lester to catch smelters that were washed away by high waters. During the summer months strong east winds have created "Rip Currents" that have taken the lives of swimmers. Use caution when smelting in strong east wind conditions and report and "Rip Currents" you might encounter.

[hookertoo]

Here is some addition safety information from Sea Grant -- 0n Rip Currents
www.seagrant.umn.edu/coastal_communities/rip

[hookertoo]

Here is another link to Seagrant -Smelt Fishing information for new or experienced smelters.
www.seagrant.umn.edu/fisheries/smelting

[smelter]

Very good advice, Peter Dahl and hookertoo. Just this Sunday night, I fell down onto the water at the Minnesota Point and almost couldn't get up. I had to struggle hard to stand up again.

The strong wind, coupled with the high waves and that consistent rain did it.

I'm not going to the shores again for the time being.

[djmouse]

May 4, 2013 8:06:31 GMT -6 hookertoo said:

Here is another link to Seagrant -Smelt Fishing information for new or experienced smelters.
www.seagrant.umn.edu/fisheries/smelting

Thank you for sharing this!