Air temp was not the coldest, mid-high 30's and the Skagit was, oh about 40 degrees. This was back in Feb. '01. I was aboard a buddy's sportjet sled, who was at the wheel, cruising down stream pretty fast. I was sitting on the engine cover, going around a bend and I don't know exactly what he hit, he's says a "wave" but long of the short, I ended up in the water.
BRRR. I was plucked out immediately, got some clothing removed and was sitting next to the heater before it really hit me what had happened. We were back at the launch in minutes, but it seemed like an hour.
I was fine, but it cut short the day as you could imagine.
He's very experienced and careful, running rivers, but you'll never catch me sitting on that engine cover again, at least while traveling on a river.
Don't really fish the Skagit anymore either.