We never know what the future holds or what the next moment might bring as a local and highly experienced fisherman found out recently. While doing what is, for him, a usual occupation, Bob Russo was swept from the rocks at Currarong on Sunday December 9.
You might think someone who writes for Fishing World, and knows well the dangers of fishing from rocks, would have seen it coming. He did not. He looked at the weather and the sea and considered it safe to fish. But then he moved down the rock to gather weed which he uses as bait. He saw the wave heading towards him, but even then didn’t think too much of it since held been fishing at this spot for a number of years.
Before Bob knew what had hit him, the wave had dragged him off the rocks and into the water. Fear swept over him. He thought of his wife who was due to start treatment for breast cancer.
Somewhere between five and ten minutes after being swept of the rocks and fighting the water to stay alive, he felt exhausted. A Christian, Bob cried out to God. And God answered his prayer in the provision of two-foot ledge. Bob realized God saved him and prevented him from being smashed to piece against the rocks. Despite being injured with injuries from the disaster as well as an old injury to his knee, he somehow scrambled up the rock face and was picked up by friends and taken to Shoalhaven hospital for treatment.
Bob is quick to acknowledge firstly, that God was the one who saved him and provided for him. And secondly, that it only takes one misjudgment of a situation to get a person into trouble.
Bob’s advice to all now, is:
1. Don’t fish alone but go with a friend.
2. No matter how experienced a fisherman you might be wear a life jacket.
3. Take a cell phone along so you can call for help if needed once you get out of the water.
What could have been a disaster has turned into an opportunity to witness to God’s power and grace..
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