Had a way too close encounter with a snake while fishing in Schuylkill County this weekend. I was walking to a small stream next to some ball fields right in a small town and stepped directly on top of this guy.
It was one of those "oh ****!" moments as I watched my foot drop down in slow motion right on top of him. He was so camouflaged into the trail I didn't see it until it was too late. I didn't put all of my weight on him and kind of hopped onto my other foot while barely putting pressure on the snake. Fortunately, he must have still been cold and didn't budge or even try to strike. He was right in the middle of a trail in a popular park with fishing access to the creek and people walking their dogs on the trail. Of all places I fish, this would not have been at the top of my list to get bitten by a snake. Also the first copperhead I have ever seen in real life and I had to do a few double takes to make sure I was seeing what I though I was. I've seen plenty or northern watersnakes that look like copperheads for a few seconds, but I'm pretty sure this guy was the real deal.
At least I was about 20 feet from my truck and had cell phone signal, so if there was ever a good spot to get bitten, this would have been it. I have almost stepped on a rattlesnake while alone in the bottom of the valley of one of the streams on the south side of the Susquehanna near Renovo. I would imagine that would be about the worst place in the state to get bit so I'm thankful I did not step on that one.
Anyway, although I don't think copperhead bites are typically life-threatening, I am very glad this guy decided to spare me of one of my worst nightmares that could happen while fly fishing in the state. Certainly would not have been a "fun" experience. Might need to look into a pair of gaiters for peace of mind going forward, even though I think this proves you have to try really hard to get a snake to bite you.
It was one of those "oh ****!" moments as I watched my foot drop down in slow motion right on top of him. He was so camouflaged into the trail I didn't see it until it was too late. I didn't put all of my weight on him and kind of hopped onto my other foot while barely putting pressure on the snake. Fortunately, he must have still been cold and didn't budge or even try to strike. He was right in the middle of a trail in a popular park with fishing access to the creek and people walking their dogs on the trail. Of all places I fish, this would not have been at the top of my list to get bitten by a snake. Also the first copperhead I have ever seen in real life and I had to do a few double takes to make sure I was seeing what I though I was. I've seen plenty or northern watersnakes that look like copperheads for a few seconds, but I'm pretty sure this guy was the real deal.
At least I was about 20 feet from my truck and had cell phone signal, so if there was ever a good spot to get bitten, this would have been it. I have almost stepped on a rattlesnake while alone in the bottom of the valley of one of the streams on the south side of the Susquehanna near Renovo. I would imagine that would be about the worst place in the state to get bit so I'm thankful I did not step on that one.
Anyway, although I don't think copperhead bites are typically life-threatening, I am very glad this guy decided to spare me of one of my worst nightmares that could happen while fly fishing in the state. Certainly would not have been a "fun" experience. Might need to look into a pair of gaiters for peace of mind going forward, even though I think this proves you have to try really hard to get a snake to bite you.
