Fly fishing may be the most dangerous of outdoor activities to participate in during a lightning storm. Unfortunately, those late summer afternoons that offer some of the best fishing conditions also offer some of the highest risks of thunderstorms. Typically those storms can form fast. The rain can put just the right amount of color in the river so that they fish are on the chow, but you must be smart when fishing during these times due to the risk of lightning. The safest way to fish during a lightning storm is to avoid it all together! If you happen to be out fishing and a sudden storm rolls in, holding a graphite rod is not where you want to be.
The first step when a storm comes in is to move away from the water and any metal. Set your rod down on the ground and look for some cover. You do not want to be the largest structure in the area. If you cannot get under cover, look for a ditch or someplace that will keep you down low to the ground. Crouch on your heals for minimal contact with the ground. If you are able to find a structure (outhouse, under a bridge, etc) to take cover in that is ideal, but avoid making contact with that structure. If you see lightning and hear the thunder within 30 seconds, you are at risk of being struck. If you are able to get into a car or truck, this is a safe spot, just sit away from the door and do your best to not touch any metal inside. Avoid taking cover under large trees.
Regardless of how good the fishing may be, the best thing to do is avoid fishing in a storm all together. If you see a storm brewing, get off the water. Life is already short, don’t make it any shorter!
More On Safety 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!:
I think the advice to be concerned about being struck, if you hear thunder 30 seconds after a lightening strike is a little conservative. Sound travels about one mile in five seconds, so a 30 second interval would indicate the lightening is 6 miles away. Of course, this may be the time to look for cover, especially if the storm is heading toward you.
If you don’t have a radar app on your phone, counting the time for the sound to reach you on successive lightening flashes will give you an indication as to whether the storm is getting closer or moving away.
Of course, this applies to ground strikes. Cloud to cloud strikes do not pose the same danger, but you can’t depend on the lightening staying put up there.