June 21, 2014 - 3rd Annual Betsie River Clean Sweep
The Betsie was roaring on Saturday when we arrived. We had never seen it this way and it shocked many of us. Most of the scouts were excited to be on the river but got off as fast as possible when they found how difficult it was.
Even in the high, fast river, we did manage to remove 100 pounds or more of fishing
debris and trash from the Homestead to US-31 section.
Mike's new pole pruning saw worked fine and it helped to make the job a lot easier.
Other groups also struggled and their additions may be below.
My suggestions for a better event next time are these.
1. I suggest we should give every boat (including kayaks) nice pruning
shears and a cheap knife.
The shears for the branches and the knife of the line and hooks.
1a. There needs to be a safety person available in each group with a pair of
cutters and pliers to remove hooks from people and their clothing.
They need to know how to do it and have a little training.
2. I plan to soon buy some nice pruning shears with floats to make them recoverable.
3. I don't think little kids should come along.
They distract the adults and make us more likely to have a serious injury.
4. Kids without experience should NEVER be allowed to be in a boat without an
experienced adult for the same reasons.
Roseanne got two hooks in her that I had to remove with cutters and pliers.
I don't know how many others got hooked, too. We were lucky yesterday and no one got
seriously injured but it was a possibility and it always is on the Betsie.
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Thanks Mike. You did an awesome job again this year.
Submitted by Norm Fred
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