Attacked on the Cedar!!!

[Jim Wallace]

Title of this thread should be "Bat Attacked By Man On Cedar River."

I think the bat wasn't acting abnormally, being hooked and thrashed about. Still, I would heed Boot's advice. There was an incident with a rabid bat at Lake Ozette last year.

[Tim Allen]

Went down to medical at the little airplane company I work for here in Renton based on the rabies comments, I'll post whatever I find out.........Tim (I think my teeth are getting more pointy) Allen

[Lugan]

I snagged a robin mid-air about a decade ago. That horrifying catch-and-release experience convinced me to de-barb every single one of my hooks.

[HauntedByWaters]

I read that the last recorded case of rabies in Whatcom County came from a man who had a close encounter with a bat but was sure he wasn't bitten. He didn't feel any pain or notice any swelling and went to his doctor to get checked out and had rabies so don't take this encounter lightly. Rabies kills you really dead in an awful way.

[John Pirnie]

I too have caught a few on a dry, but with use of barbless (or crimped) hooks they have a fighting chance to throw the hook. I fish Coldwater quite a bit and last year nailed two of the buggers driving down off the mountain at dusk. They sure do make quite a noise hitting the windshield. Another suggestion for a new thread might be "Your favorite bat recipes"

[wadin' boot]

Tim-

I called UW travel medicine to see if they have vaccine in stock. They do.

http://depts.washington.edu/travmed/

here's the phone line:
(206) 598-4888

The front desk girl said they typically start post-exposure as soon as possible.

Maybe wash your vest or jacket or whatever else that thing struck, otherwise you might end up like gator9's avatar. I'd put a large sum on, you'll be perfectly fine. On the other hand, if the 'ol hydrophobia does lead you to an early grave...

What kind of gear you got?

Guys here will no doubt help your spirit fish on...

I had a similar experience on the Elwha a few years back, freaked me out.

[Gorgefly]

I have hooked a couple amidst the Hex hatch at Merrill.....freeky feeling to have a bat on the other end of the line!

[SteelieD]

That is so damn funny. I wish there was a video of that scene!

Get the rabies thing check for sure!

[Jeremy Floyd]

Hmm,

So I should have been checked last fall... Had at least one in the guide cabin most nights. Must have caught at least 10 in a towel and tossed em outside during the course of the season.

[hikepat]

Never caught a bat yet but hooked a few Seagulls. You would think they would fight pretty good being a larger bird but each came right to me for me to cut the leader. Made me wonder if they were used to it like the fish at Rocky Ford can be.

[KerryS]

Another suggestion for a new thread might be "Your favorite bat recipes"

Sautéed in butter then served on a bed of angel hair pasta with a mushroom (shaggy mane) and green onion (fresh from the garden) cream sauce poured generously over the top.

[Itchy Dog]

I'm gonna try your recipe, Kerry. I don't have a bat to try, but I just offed a chipmunk in our garage. Whacked him around teh floor with a broom like he was a hockey puck until my dog got him. Should taste about the same. Damn rats.

[Ed Call]

Itchy, please don't include that in the next book. I think my two angels would have a rough time with that one. How many whacks did it take to stun it enough for the dog to get it?

[Itchy Dog]

Don't worry, Ed. I have a dark, brooding series planned for stories like this. Bounced him off the boards with a good slap shot, then dropped the hammer twice. He tried to get up and run but his legs weren't working. That's when the real itchy dog grabbed him and carried him outside to finish the job. One down; one to go. Damn things chewed a hole in our garage door seal to get in.

[Ed Call]

Cool, right now my girls think chipmunks and bats are cute and cool.

Tim, I just read the first post again and about pissed myself laughing. I had to read it outloud to the whole office gang. It was very well received.