Iv’e been in two storms on the Connecticut river. The first was when i was about 13. My friend Paul Partyka and i were given permission by his dad to take the johnboat to fish the south hadley cove. We fished for a while and were successful. Like Tom Sawyer and Huck we loved the river. We didnt like so much the long plastic horn that Pauls dad would use to call us back to the camp. We didnt hear the horn that day but the wind was picking up so we headed home. As soon as we left the cove we saw the storm clouds sweeping down river towards us. equipped with a 1-1/2 horse motor we decided to head into it. We could beat this. i havent seen clouds move in so fast. We could actually see the wall of rain that was bearing down on us.The wall hit us and we were instantly drenched. The boat filled with water with amazing speed. We motored on determined to make it. The worm can became the bailing can. We could barely make out the shore that we were trying to hug. The water was almost halfway up. The small comfort we had was the seats were styrofoam filled. The boat doesnt sink.It was a small consolation. The rain was coming down so hard it stung. Just when visibility was about zero the bow of a large ski boat appeared and a line was thrown to us. Pauls dad figured right we would be in trouble. We climbed in they tied off the johnboat and towed us back just a bit more manly with another adventure in our belts.
Today another 13 year old my son Nick and i were on the river. We just call it THE river and know its the Connecticut that we are referring to. We had decided to fish the hole off of the old bridge pilings. It was sunny with a breeze.We saw the clouds up past the holyoke dam and kept fishing. The storm swept upon us in that same way sudden and with a wall of water. Knowing it was too late to paddle to shore i pulled the canoe fully up into the rocks and turned it over upon the old bridge foundation. Nick was hoping we would try to leave but i was hoping in a different direction. The new bridge has a solid stone base with boulders around it. We could be sheltered from the worst of it. we scrambled to the the second pillar of the bridge a swift body of water between us and the safety of shore on the South Hadley side. The rain and wind was rapidly picking up. It was whipping but no telltale sound of a train. Thats what they say isnt it a tornado sounds like a train bearing upon you. I videoed it capturing nicks fear and my concern for him. I could only tape it for a few minutes before a had to forgo that and hold onto Nick. We hunkered among the boulders behind the piling. we watched as the storm grabbed the canoe lifted it in the air spinning like a crocks death roll dropping it into the river 20 plus feet beyond. I then watched trees fall on the island further out as i held onto Nick. Then the wind and rain obscured the island. Hail began to fall , Nick shouted dad theres hail with tornadoes .I reassured him but was also just hoping i could keep him safe, that if the wind gots real bad i could hold onto him. I held tight.Then the wind switched directions and we scrambled to the other side of the bridge where we waited.
The wind and rain eventually died down a little. It was still raining pretty hard the wind still whipping but at that point i wanted info more than help. i wanted to know if more storms were coming and were they tornadoes. I had the presence of mind to pack my cell phone in a ziplock bag. A good fishing procedure. I opened that bag and dialed my loved ones. no answer, no answer finally i got my daughter unfortunately an hour away. She wasn’t aware of our weather. Okay for Nick gotta bite the bullet i dialed 911. I told them what happened and where we were. it took a while for the sirens and when we heard them they were heading in different directions.
Finally they saw us, one domineering cop on the bridge, a rope crew on shore and a rescue boat. The rain had stopped and the water was already receding. The emergency was over. We opted for the boat hoping they would grab my canoe. Funny thing they dont rescue canoes or the fishing gear and that drill sargent cop made us leave our poles under the bridge. We thanked the firemen as we stepped from the boat. They did a good job.My boy was safe.
So you guessed it we went down river i swam out and dragged my canoe in, then went back to the bridge and waded out for my poles. My camera may not however be salvageable its soaked. Oh yeah we found out why they took so long and why so many sirens in different directions, there were alot of trees down. That storm was wicked. As we traversed the roadblocks we realized a few important things, the most important thing ,priority one Nick was alright. As i recall when i was 13 and the boat was filling faster than i could bail coming out on the other side was sweet. Its also a cool life lesson, he made it through that storm, there will be other life storms that are tough and scary and maybe painful but he can make it through those as well. He too is just a bit more manly with another adventure under his belt. At the end of my video i said a quick prayer”heavenly Father watch over us” and He did.
The Delisle’s have had thier share of tragedy, and now Nick and i share a good memory, another adventure.
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