12-17-2020, 03:54 PM
Saw your lovely face on TV last night (behind a mask). Really gave me a jolt. Glad you were able to make it out and that you are still among us.
I went through the ice on Layton (Company) Pond many years ago. Fortunately I was able to throw myself backward as I felt the ice giving way. And I was with a savvy fishing buddy who immediately flattened himself out on the ice behind me...extended the handle of a hand auger for me to grab and was able to pull me away from the hole. I have relived that many times over the years. Had I been alone I would probably have suffered more than a little water in my left boot.
Like yourself, we were hitting the ice early in the season. Test holes closer to shore had over 4" of ice. But there were spots with far less and I found one. Since then I have never gone on early ice. Unless there is safe ice over the whole lake I don't go. In fact, I don't go ice fishing at all anymore...but that is more a matter of physical ability than fear of thin ice.
Again, glad you made it okay. Now we wait for open water.
I went through the ice on Layton (Company) Pond many years ago. Fortunately I was able to throw myself backward as I felt the ice giving way. And I was with a savvy fishing buddy who immediately flattened himself out on the ice behind me...extended the handle of a hand auger for me to grab and was able to pull me away from the hole. I have relived that many times over the years. Had I been alone I would probably have suffered more than a little water in my left boot.
Like yourself, we were hitting the ice early in the season. Test holes closer to shore had over 4" of ice. But there were spots with far less and I found one. Since then I have never gone on early ice. Unless there is safe ice over the whole lake I don't go. In fact, I don't go ice fishing at all anymore...but that is more a matter of physical ability than fear of thin ice.
Again, glad you made it okay. Now we wait for open water.