View Full Version : The One that got away
I was meaning to post this earlier, but no time!
I thought the thread “The one that got away” would be appropriate for this post.
Please understand that unfortunately I cannot give more specific info as I do not want to interfere or jeopardize the course of justice in the case – if there is any left in SA. As per normal, this story from a top tourist destination, did not even make the news.
How much time do you spend thinking about a plan to get you out of a sticky situation when that situation finds you one day? A couple of weeks ago I had a call from mate of mine to go fish one of the KZN coastal parks for the day. Unfortunately work interfered in my fishing that day and I could not make the trip, but he decided to go as we often fish the area alone. I called him later that evening to hear how his day was, but no luck getting hold of him on his cell. Only much later did I get hold of him, as I was about to leave on a search mission. He phoned me from a borrowed phone as he had to spend the night up north to give more statements in the morning.
This is what happened: As he started fishing early in the morning, there was only one group of conventional fisherman and two ‘subsistence types’ near them. He presumed that they were these guys’ gillies and proceeded to walk south where we normally fish the ledges. A couple of hours later he returned to get something from his car. By this time the other fisherman had left. When he got back onto the beach the two other fellows were right there, scratching in the rocks. As he came past they greeted him friendly- and this caused him to let down his guard. In hindsight these guys followed him up the beach for about 5km’s, probably looking him over.
He walked south again to fish the pushing tide. An hour or so later as he changed flies, these guys somehow managed to get in under his guard. As they stepped up to him, one guy asked him for his fishing permit as they were from the Parks board. With the expected F – OFF reply one stepped forward and swung a khukuri (believe it or not, the genuine Ghurka version) at him. Thank ***, some quick reflexes and some discussion we had about possible incidents like this saved his live.
He simply bailed over the ledge into the Zululand surf. With both guys above him hurling abuse and at least one knife at him, they demanded his bag or they will kill him. He managed to get his Simms waterproof backpack off, opened it, found his Glock and let off two shots, while treading water, at his assailants.
At this they disappeared form sight; he managed to get out via a gully and went looking for the guys – mad as a snake by now. Needless to say, no trace.
When he got hold of the Parks Board a little later, they brought the Anti-Poaching trackers and found one of the guys - left by his mate with a .40 slug in his leg. The attached pic shows one of the knives found by the trackers in a pool the next morning. They had a whole collection of knives, but that is also another story and part of the case against them.
Pity these things happen, but great if you live to tell that tale and have at least been prepared to deal with the situation as best as possible. So make sure you have a plan, a flotation device, and whatever else you feel can save your life.
http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr13/ArnovdN/KNIFE-1.jpg
Rendier
23-07-09, 08:23 PM
That's just f#$^ up!
troutmaster
23-07-09, 08:29 PM
Seems we will have to do F*&%^%T^ Risk Assesments before we go fishing as well :mad:
What is a "khukuri" ?
Michael
23-07-09, 08:45 PM
What a f-up!!! Makes me mad as hell reading this.
I know everything is always in hindsight...but he should have said "okay cool, come get the bag..."
Then as they got close and could not run away as easily...popped both of them and dumped them in the ocean.
End of story...no need for reports, nothing.
Bastard$!
That's just f#$^ up!
Moes jy nie al in Pearth gewees het nie :D
That is a terrible story, and I have often wondered about what you would do in such a situation, especialy when I have a client with me. I think two way radios could become a standard fishing feature soon.
Michael
23-07-09, 08:58 PM
Most times we do not fish alone, that's number one...and we have two-way walkie talkies. I also carry pepper-spray, and a knife. (No gun...if I do, I WILL shoot someone...)
I'm considering a Tazer...shock the f(*^#(*&%# to near death.
I suppose we can only do so much, be aware, and if we fish remote area's maybe employ a local or two to walk with you. They will happily "protect" you for R 100.00 a day.
I dunno...it's frikkin sad really!!!! :mad::mad::mad:
We fish for the love of nature and the outdoors, but this pisses me of big time. There is nothing as bad as having to enjoy your sport, whilst looking over your shoulder the whole time.
No ways I will stop fishing alone, it just means being mentally and physically more prepared. But I like the feeding the fishies idea :)
OOOOOOO:mad::mad:
Boils my blood!
Anyways, i hope we start hearing less of this, rather then more! I think a tazer is not a bad idea, but then when there are more then one of the !"£$%^*'s it is still best to chillout and co-operate. . .
Terrible business. :mad::mad:
What is a "khukuri" ?
If my brittle memory serves me correctly its the knife used by the Gurkhas, Royal Infantry regiment. The knife in the pic?
Buf Aloe
24-07-09, 08:21 AM
Thank the good Lord that you guys had discussed something like this and that your mate had the relexes and the mindset to act as he did, failing which HE would have been the one thrown into the sea - no police reports nothing...
looking at the size of the waves in the background, I think your buddy did damn well to get out there ok. Just shows you, there's always those guys that look at everything as a luckypacket. Could lose your life for a pack of sardines or box of flies and some sarmies.:mad:
My intention was not to start a negative thread or start preaching on safety ,but to share some of the sh3t that happens at our fishing spots as well. There has been a couple of incidents, but the worst was last year when a guy fishing was shot in front of his wife and daugher north of Richards Bay for his cellphone.
I se awareness is the #1 weapon you have too avoid problems. I would be the first to say that I believe in avoiding this kind of conflict at any cost. If you see it comming and can run, RUN like hell.
But with 2 guys comming at you with a knives, wearing a back pack, stripping basket, 2 flyrods even Chuck Norris is going to have a tough time fighting them off. At best you will get stabbed and maytbe survive, at worst stabbed and dumped in the sea. Best have an escape plan...
Our plan was always to use the sea as final escape plan if you get pinned out on the rocks and they get to close
Chris Shelton
24-07-09, 09:02 AM
Shocking story, but unfortunately it is the harsh reality of what is happening at many coastal venues these days. I've just heard too many stories like this now, and it starts going beyond isolated incidents.
I applaud your friend for quick reflexes and thinking that saved him from becoming yet another statistic. If he had not been armed, he would have probably drowned, because they would have waited for him.
It might sound very 'grensvegterish' to be packing a gun when you fish alone, but truth be told, it is a very necessary precaution these days. I'm never without mine when I fish alone. You really don't want to get into a close combat situation with these types, so tazer is not the way to go. Rather blast the buggers out of sight from a safe distance!
Terrible business. :mad::mad:
If my brittle memory serves me correctly its the knife used by the Gurkhas, Royal Infantry regiment. The knife in the pic?
You are spot on, it is a serious chopping tool. I have seen a big one used to 'behead' a bull with one stroke. The smaller ones are more for hand-to-hand combat, stabbing/disembowling the opponent - that's what made the Gurkhas feared fighters.
Hey guys!
Ja its flippen bad when fishing alone, and you constantly have to look over your shoulder!!:mad:
I always have my Leatherman closeby, but the more I think about it the more I want to take my 7mm Revolver with. To defend yourself with a knife is a skill you have to learn and its close contact, one miss and his knife kills you.
So I think you guys have just convinced me to take my 7mm with.
Rather safe than sorry!!
Although Im one of the few young guys with military training, its doesnt make you invincible - especially if you dont have a gun. Just image fising with a R4 and a moerse 50 round magazine...
Ill make one example and fishing will be very safe in future!!!:D
Cheers guys - and be safe!!
swsmith
24-07-09, 10:18 AM
goes back to the old saying.....for evil to prospur,good men must do nothing...or something along those lines :o
or i prefer this one....fight crime...shoot back!!!!!
im glad your mate got out of that one alright.as rols says the sea looks quite rough.glad he didnt injure himself.but atleast with him shooting at these guys he could have maybe got it thru there thick skulls that some people do carry guns and will shoot back.a couple more incidents like this and maybe the atttacks with dwindle....hopefully :rolleyes:
Terrible incident. On a lighter note, it reminds me of a story I heard about the well-known Florida fisherman, Nick Curcione. Nick had been fishing the Miami drainage ditches one evening and was on his way home in his beat-up Volkswagen when he was accosted at a set of traffic lights. The armed gentleman at his window demanded money. Nick submissively reached in under his seat, where his fingers found his trusted 9mm. "And would you believe it," said Nick afterwards: "all I got off that bastard was six dollars and thirty-five cents!"
Buf Aloe
24-07-09, 12:47 PM
goes back to the old saying.....for evil to prospur,good men must do nothing...or something along those lines :o
or i prefer this one....fight crime...shoot back!!!!!
im glad your mate got out of that one alright.as rols says the sea looks quite rough.glad he didnt injure himself.but atleast with him shooting at these guys he could have maybe got it thru there thick skulls that some people do carry guns and will shoot back.a couple more incidents like this and maybe the atttacks with dwindle....hopefully :rolleyes:
Now they might just start arming themselves and shoot first and ask questions later. Or they surprise you, take your firearm, shoot you, dump your body in the sea and they still have a firearm with a couple of rounds to perpetrate another crime!
It shouldn't have to get to this stage, the autorities need to start doing something.
swsmith
24-07-09, 01:24 PM
arent they doing exactly this already?these guys just had a knife and not a gun....
Terrible incident. On a lighter note, it reminds me of a story I heard about the well-known Florida fisherman, Nick Curcione. Nick had been fishing the Miami drainage ditches one evening and was on his way home in his beat-up Volkswagen when he was accosted at a set of traffic lights. The armed gentleman at his window demanded money. Nick submissively reached in under his seat, where his fingers found his trusted 9mm. "And would you believe it," said Nick afterwards: "all I got off that bastard was six dollars and thirty-five cents!"
Haha Damn Rednecks!:D
Shamwari
24-07-09, 03:31 PM
The Mother Fekkers are forcing us all to carry some kind of weapon and inevitably take law into our own hands...
I am so the bliksiming and sad...I dont know what more to say on this thread:mad::mad::(
windknot
24-07-09, 06:12 PM
I somehow remember a quote," walk quietly and carry a big stick". When alone in a secluded spot, you are creating an opportunity for criminals the same way lone animals create opportunities for predators. That is when bigger teeth and badder attitudes make the difference. BTW that was a good shot, but he missed the left ball somewhat. :D
Chris Shelton
25-07-09, 07:30 AM
I BTW that was a good shot, but he missed the left ball somewhat. :D
I agree, brilliant shot actually! Taking a shot with a pistol whilst treading water and under adversity is something that isn't even taught at combat school. Not the easiest of things to do with any consistent degree of accuracy, yet the man still hit the target! Respect!!:cool::cool:
It does help that he had military training, is a accomplished combat shot and lastly a commercial diver with gills instead of lungs!
This is just sad! Makes you angry as hell :mad::mad:
GrahamS
27-07-09, 01:12 PM
You are spot on, it is a serious chopping tool. I have seen a big one used to 'behead' a bull with one stroke. The smaller ones are more for hand-to-hand combat, stabbing/disembowling the opponent - that's what made the Gurkhas feared fighters.
Made from tempered leaf springs. It is a serious weapon in the right hands!
Incidentally, the same thing happened to a friend of mine at Rocky Bay, on the South Coast. he was attacked with a sharpened chisel and a toy gun. Luckily he was quick on the draw, and the assailant ended up in the sea. The guy got 12 years in prison for attempted murder and armed robbery, sentenced a year ago.
Personally, I would have just put one in his head and let the receding tide do its job...
Following up on this - last week the court proceedings wrapped up with "Hop-along" or Ilean as he became know to us, found guilty of a whole host of crimes that unfolded during this case.
He will be sentenced this week, but his brother is still out there somewhere enjoying his freedom.
Biggest punishment he will probably get is not from the courts, but from his would be victim that has left him minus 1 leg.
JadeDsantos
12-10-09, 03:46 PM
Man that’s a terrible story! I do allot of traveling in the Transkei and never had a problem - Whenever I'm in the EC I carry a switchblade but never had to take it out. Carrying a gun makes you a target too unfortunately. I spoke to a martial arts school that specializes in knife fighting, looking to get some training, and the intructor told me, you can train all you life but knife fights are usually a matter of who has the bigger blade and therefore the longest reach. My favourite self defense weapons of all the - A small headed but long Knopkerri - can use it as a wading pole and the intimidation factor is quite high too
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