Four Saved After Their Boat Flips at Lake Fayette

Game Warden Shaun Bayless with the help of several other first responders rescued a group of anglers on Lake Fayette Tuesday morning, Nov. 7.

A 911 call came in around mid-morning reporting a capsized boat on the lake. Bayless responded along with LCRA Park Rangers, Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies and Fayette County EMS.

Upon arrival, they learned that three men and a child from the Flatonia area were setting jug lines from a small flat-bottomed boat. Bayless said a strong wave hit the small boat and capsized it, sending the four fishermen into the lake. All of them were wearing life jackets, he said. All four swam to the shore opposite from Park Prairie Park. They were able to drag their boat to shore as well.

Bayless and Lt. David Beyer of the Sheriff’s Office, along with the LCRA rangers, took a boat across the lake to pick up the stranded fishermen and their vessel. The rescuers helped the fishermen retrieve their lines from the lake and a few catfish they caught before the mishap.

Bayless checked their fish and licenses before releasing them without charges. He said the fishermen were carrying all required safety equipment and they were following all fishing laws. Bayless said he advised the fishermen against overloading the small boat, which he said was only big enough for three people.