| March 17, 2005 Booby-Trapped Rivers Pose Additional Threat
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By Grant McOmie
katu.com PORTLAND, Ore. - Fishing guide Phil Hawkins rows fishermen down the Sandy River for a chance to catch a steelhead. He says this winter the unusually low water has meant that he's kept a sharper eye on frothy rapids, exposed rocks and something new. "I have to worry about packing the right rods, the right flies, the right equipment and food - but never, ever would I dream that I'd have to worry about spikes or nails in the river that would tear my boat up," says Hawkins. Nails or spikes - several inches long - have been drilled or pounded into the river's rocks. In recent weeks, the nails have ripped open two rafts, including Josh Linn's 16-foot pontoon raft. Josh pointed to the 30-inch tear: "That's where the nail went in all the way. It's a huge gash and it was a scary moment." Linn was floating through a dangerous rapid when the nail tore up his boat. But he was lucky and made it to shore where he was able to patch and repair his raft. 
He and Hawkins say the incidents happened near popular Dodge Park. Hawkins pointed to a partially submerged rock: "See the three silvery, shiny looking things right there - those are all nails." The nails were visible just under the water's surface. They were hammered into the rock and Hawkins said he thinks it was intentional and it could have killed someone. "It could be a real dangerous situation," added Hawkins. "There's a lot of current here and the river is cold and the current is relentless. If you lose your boat, it could all be over." 
Hawkins used a hammer and bent the sharp nails over so the rock wouldn't pose a dangerous risk. Now, he and other guides float the river to look for more rocks that are sporting nails or spikes. We float past one huge rock in the middle of the river that looked suspicious with two thin and sharp spikes that looked like nails. If the water was higher, you'd never see the danger coming and you'd end up in bog trouble. 
For longtime river rafters Judy Steigler and Vall Schaull, the most worrisome problem will hit this summer. That's when kids come to the Sandy River to float on inner tubes or small inflatable rafts. They might not see the problem until it's too late. "In the summertime children play near Dodge Park." said Stiegler. "If some child goes out of their inner tube, goes through there and catches on a nail they could be seriously hurt." Schaull added: "I'm worried about this - if it starts here, it could migrate to other rivers." There are no clues to this crime, but Hawkins hopes they can find all of the nails planted in the rocks before the summer floating season starts. But he admits the river is huge and they might not find all the unseen dangers before another boat goes down. |
