Yes Gene I think most of us learn at some point it's not a good idea to be out on a lake with a lightening rod in hand, LOL! If my memory serves me right it was not someone I knew, but just hearing about other fishermen getting struck was enough for me. That stuff is so powerful it's crazy. A few year ago lightening struck my neighbors tree across the road from my house and I just knew it was really loud. I did't go out right away, but when I did it was hard to miss the tree because all of it's bark had been blown off the tree. First time I ever saw a tree with all and I do mean all of it's bark blown off.