Not a good time to be on the river

The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife just put out a request for us not to be knuckleheads. Actually, the press release said that many of their rescue resources are being deployed in northern Maine to help people endangered by the flooding.

Those victims didn't have a choice. Nature did this to them. But recreational canoers and kayakers do have a choice. They can choose not to go on rain-swollen rivers and put themselves at risk. Because resources are stretched thin, their rescue could endanger someone else who needs help.

I'm going agree. Spring is a tricky time. The water is moving faster and some rivers become much more fun. But that also means more risk - even for experienced paddlers. So assume no one is going to be able to rescue you. Do you still want to make that run?