A recent thread about southern waterways and snakes brought these 3 encounters to mind.

One was in Florida where i walked up on a large Indigo snake. It was coiled near the edge of a batch of palmettos as i came out of a field. Indigo's aren't poisonous but are large, jet black, and have an ominous mean looking face. It was just feet away. It was the first time i'd seen one. It just sat there and looked at me as i walked away. I did look back to make sure it wasn't coming toward me.

Another was in PA while i was fishing along the Allegheny river. I was walking along the shore among the rocks and grasses and was about to step between two rocks when i spotted a Water Moccasin where i was going to step. In a quick sidestep i got out of it's way. It struck out at my foot but i was far enough away.

The other that comes to mind was in Florida also. This time i was walking down a foot trail to a treestand. All of a sudden a rattlesnake starts rattling very close. I was able to see the snake right away. I jumped to the side quickly and ended up shooting that one. I'm a believer in the term "the one you don't kill is the one that can get you in the future"

water moccasin in PA? you sure it wasn't just a water snake?

It's possible it was a water snake. it was dark and looked like it had a whitish inner mouth. Whatever it was i didn't want to step on it

I understand, LOL!

Probably a water snake. I don't think cottonmouths are found this far north. Water snakes can be really aggressive, as you found out.