The President's Angle

by Yves Charron
Dear fellow Twin Cities Trout Unlimited members,  I hope you all had a chance to go fishing.   This has been an unusually cold and wet June so far, but the trout don’t care--they are already wet. ; - )
This month’s edition of the President’s angle will be slightly different.   It will be about safety. 
As some of you know, I like to fish in streams for trout, but since we are in the land of 10,000 lakes, I have a  kayak and fish lakes around the Twin Cities and the great state of Minnesota.   One Saturday in May, I did just that.  After a successful outing on a lake just north of the Twin Cities catching largemouth bass, I pulled my kayak off the lake and strapped it to the top of my car as usual.  Below is what it looks like on top of my car.

As usual, I checked everything to make sure it was well secured and before driving.  Then through my sun roof, I monitor to ensure the kayak is still well secured.   I exited the parking lot, took a few side streets, and merged through traffic to get on the highway.   After a few minutes of driving, I heard a big bang on top of my car.  When I looked-up, the kayak was no longer there.  ​

I noticed the traffic had halted on the freeway.  I pulled on the side of the road to investigate the problem.   The kayak made it all the way on the left side of the highway and partially blocked the left lane.  Traffic completely stopped, someone got out of their car to move the kayak in the left shoulder so the cars started moving again as if nothing had happened.  First of all, I am glad to report nobody got hurt and there were no accidents.   That was the most important thing.   For added safety, I drove my car off the sright shoulder and into the grass so I could get out of the car to further investigate what caused this.   I noticed a broken strap and the other one was intact.   The back one must have broken.  Since the kayak is shaped like a football, once the back strap broke, it did not take long for the kayak to dislodge itself from the front strap and disappear from the top of my car.  I always carry a set of spare straps in my car in case one is damaged and needs replacement.   
Next, I had to come-up with a plan to get to my kayak and get it out of harm's way.  It still represented a safety hazard.  If you can imagine I-35 going south just North of Minneapolis on a Saturday afternoon, the traffic is intense.  There is no way I could get to my kayak and put it back on the car.  
I called AAA for help, they could not send a service vehicle to pick-up a kayak on the highway, they only took care of cars.  The person on the phone suggested I call 911. They do take care of things like that.    I convince myself this could be an emergency since an object of this size on the highway represents a hazard and risk to public safety.  
With no other alternative I could think about, I called 911 and explained the issue.  I mentioned I was off I-35 going south towards Minneapolis, I did not know the exact exit I just passed, but noticed a bridge about 200 yards behind me.   The person on the call asked for a description of my vehicle, license plate, etc.  The 911 operator wrapped up the call by saying “I am going to dispatch a State trooper in your direction”.   I asked the person, “Wait!, don’t you need to know my exact location?”.  He responded by saying “I can see you on the camera!”.
Before I could take a picture of my kayak on the side of the highway with all the cars driving by, I got a call from the State Trooper and he came up with a brilliant plan to get the kayak off the road, and back on my car.
The plan was to drive to the next exit, go back north on the highway, take the next exit, drive back south on 35, get in the left lane.   When he would see my kayak in the left service lane, he was going to stop behind it and wait for me.  I simply needed to pull over left in front of his squad car and my kayak.  Then he would help me put it back on my car.
I met with the officer.   Nice young man.   He was really nice, and helped me put the kayak back on my car.  He returned to his squad vehicle and told me to take my time, he would help me get back on the road from the left lane when I am ready.  I took the spare straps to help secure the kayak on top of my car.  If I remember correctly, I believe I passed one if not both inside my car for added safety.   The officer put his lights on, proceeded onto the left lane, then the center, and finally the right lane.   I followed in front until I was driving at reduced speed on the right lane.   I thanked the officer, he waved back, and went to his next assignment.   
I was very impressed with the 911 and MN State Trooper professionalism, courtesy, and response speed.   Our tax dollars are put to good use.  From this incident, I have learned some lessons and made some corrections.
#1: I bought new and more sturdy straps.   I will change those regularly since they can wear out and weakens over time from the weather and sunlight.   
#2: I am securing the kayak to the front of my car, to prevent the head wind force from lifting the kayak.  I do have a metal ring welded under my car.  The type you have in case your car needs to get towed or pulled.  
#3: I purchased a spare set of straps that I keep in the car at all times.
#4: As needed, if very windy, I will secure the kayak with a second set of straps and pass them inside the car (under the roof) for added security.
The last safety tip I would have is for you on the road.  Never follow too close to someone towing a trailer, or carrying something on top of their roof.  Keep a safe distance and be prepared for the worst.
I hope sharing this story will help others prevent similar issues and be vigilant on the road.
Until next time….tight lines.