Snakes got another swimmer in the bay. Happens every year around this time. Seems the impending colder weather makes the snakes a bit fiesty.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/129251688.html
chris
I swam on the course Monday and was bumped by something big and fast. Scared the shit out of me. My buddy next to me swears he saw a forked tongue flash briefly in the murky depths. The beast was probably on its way over to the fisherman by the terrace to steal fish off their hooks. Easier than having to chew through a bunch of neoprene.
They are bred as algae eaters, but at this time of year the algae bloom is over so I think they start to search out other sources of food.
chris
I’m not sure about the snakes but I did catch this little snakehead fish not far from Monona Terrace…it hit hard on a Rapala:
.
Back in the day we used to throw the snakes small mammals to appease them in the early autumn. Until PETA got ahold of our tradition. Since that time the people of Madison have lost at least one child and a dozen family pets per year. Freaking hippies…
The swim crowds IM day aren’t there to cheer. They are there to document the carnage.
MJ
This was take last year the morning of IM MOO just before the start of the swim by my friend. The good news is that it was 50 meters from the start line and so it didn’t interfere witht he race.
I’m suprised there hasn’t been some trouser snake joke yet 
.
God that gives me the willies.
I told Brent you were looking for snake repellant. He is going to look for some for you.
Scott, You always think that we want to swim behind you for the draft. It is actually to allow you to get the snakes first. I hate snakes more than you do. I promise that.
The only thing worse than snakes are birds. They will peck your eyes out while you bike and run.