Lightning and Graphite Rod

[owtdors]

On July 25th, 2010 a friend of mine was fly-fishing with his teens on the Owens River near Mammoth, CA. While in camp, lightning struck within 5 paces of them, and started a small fire. They stomped the fire out and went into the trailer for safety.
After the storm they came out to go fishing and found one graphite rod a few feet shorter as per the picture below. The rod was leaning against the trailer. The trailer showed no signs of damage what-so-ever.
I kidded him that he could now sell the rod as a Ben Franklin Signature Model!!! Obviously they were very lucky.
Just a reminder to be careful!!!

Click on Thumb below for a larger view.

webIMG_0265.JPG

[inchr48]

I was on Lake Erie, about 14 miles out, when our rods started crackling. You could hear the static building in them. When you would cast, the lure would hit the water, but your line would hold its arc in the air. The captain lowered his radio antenna and we all sat down for about 15 minutes, then it was over. No storms in immediate area, but something passing thru.

Glad your friends are OK.

[owtdors]

Lightning Safety Tips for Campers and Hikers from National Lightning Safety Institute

AVOID: Avoid water. Avoid all metallic objects. Avoid the high ground. Avoid solitary tall trees. Avoid close contact with others - spread out 15-20 ft. apart. Avoid contact with dissimilar objects (water & land; boat & land; rock & ground; tree & ground). Avoid open spaces.

SEEK:Seek clumps of shrubs or trees of uniform height. Seek ditches, trenches or the low ground. Seek a low, crouching position with feet together with hands on ears to minimize acoustic shock from thunder. (Some say to put hands on forehead and elbows on knees to keep lightning from going through vital organs.)

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comKEEP:</B> Keep a high level of safety awareness for thirty minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.