I love stories like that. They’re even better when they have a happy ending.
I was adjusting my dead rod in the holder while fishing on Lake Sharpe this spring. I adjusted it a little too far and it just dumped forward – launching a new rod ‘n reel overboard. It was pretty breezy and we were drifting fast. I reached to mark it on the GPS and it occured to me a fishing marker might be better. By the time the rodent in my head got the rusty wheel turning, we had moved at least 5-10 yards off the spot. I tossed the marker to what seemed like the spot based on how hard the wind was blowing.
We doubled back and anchored. We started throwing daredevils but when close to a half an hour had passed we were ready to give up. I declared 10 more casts each (we looked like complete idiots being anchored and casting big northern baits, btw). On the second cast, I caught the jig I had been using. So, that one had a happy ending too.
Last December I watched in horror as a new rig (about 5 hours old) went sailing out of my hand and into the darkness off Indian Point on Mille Lacs. I had just c/r a walleye and the outside of my gloves froze in the 15 degree weather. I went to cast my lure for the next trolling pass and the whole thing went flying. DUH. I didn’t get that one back.