You can tell it’s Winter…200 fishermen trapped on ice
07 Feb 2009
Perhaps vengeance directed from the fish who often end up on ice? 200 Fishermen trapped on the ice of Lake Erie because they decided to build a bridge using wooden pallets to cross a crack in the ice.
I love fishing, I spent many a summer out on the Lake fishing, especially for perch, but it seems almost every year, and sometimes more than once in a year, emergency rescuers have to risk their own lives on the ice…The warning tips are written about yearly, and I know we will never declare a scenario where it’s stated, “ice fish at your own risk” but I can’t help thinking perhaps some type of a higher fee for a license for ice fishing could help some of the local areas recoup some of the rescue expenses.
I feel terrible for the individual that have been hurt or lost there life today on the ice. However, it certainly doesn’t take the sharpest pencil in the box to know not to get on the ice in weather like this. Each person being rescued should be charged with the cost.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:01 pmApparently according to this story one died.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:45 pmAn additional update from Cleveland:
February 7th, 2009 at 5:47 pmAs a ps, the original Blade article stated 200, it’s now been updated to state 175 and reports the death of one of the fishermen. There’s also a different comment from Bratton:
If you wonder what was worth risking their lives over? The Blade video tells it “It’s all about the Walleye”…
Other media, Fox Toledo
WTVG
NBC24
WTOL
Toledo Free Press has the Associated Press story.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pmduh…
February 7th, 2009 at 6:58 pmAh, ice fishing. It takes me back to my days in North Dakota when whole towns would move onto the ice. Not a season passed without the sinking of a truck or two.
Ice Road truckers have nothing on the NoDaks!
February 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pmIdiot does seem to understate the case.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:05 pmThe WTOL link has the audio link of an over 6 minute interview with Bratton, it’s worth a listen.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:09 pmMore thoughts about the rescue of the Lake Erie icefishermen on my blog, but this incident is another dark day for Toledo as the butt of national jokes.
I said it elsewhere, but how do hundreds of people reach the same idiotic conclusion that it is a good idea to park tents, gear, 4-wheelers, and snowmobiles on a patch of lake ice on a 51-degree day?
One moron, sure. Five dolts, maybe. But 175 schleps with the same irrational imbecility at the same time? Too surreal, folks.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:36 pmhistorymike wrote:
Are we still talking about the ice fisherman or Jon Stainbrook supporters?
February 8th, 2009 at 10:46 amFishermen LBW, this is a totally non political post…
February 8th, 2009 at 10:53 amActually, it wasn’t the temperature as much as the wind. In the open waters of the Lake, like in the news story, there are numerous cracks and it is ‘usually’ okay to cross over them. But when the wind is strong and pushing the ice away from the shore, it’s trouble. If the wind had been blowing the ice toward the shore, it wouldn’t have been such a problem.
So often, though, people think only of the thickness of the ice and the temperature – not the wind. Being both a ’soft and hard water’ sailor, I was raised to pay more attention to the wind and I’m glad.
I’m sorry for the family who lost a loved one and am glad it was only one person who died.
P.S. The ice in Maumee Bay is pretty much ‘locked in’ so we didn’t see the same circumstances at our house… Oh – and the story made the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123403947401960327.html
February 8th, 2009 at 12:03 pmLBW wrote:
Snarky!!
February 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pmHoly Darwinism, Batman. I feel terrible that there were was a fatality in this situation, but this was supreme stupidity on so many levels: Weather reports indicated dangerous ice conditions throughout the week, the fact that the ice shelf already broke off (basically, wind and currents were holding it in place), and the lemming mentality of the ignorant (’we done seen others out there, so it must be safe…’
. The collective genius of using a plywood bridge (to nowhere) across the crack is amazing, and the fact that you all seemed suprised when it fell into the widening crack is stupid on so many levels.
Note to those that made their way to the ‘Ice Island of Complete Dorks’–this now seems to be an annual event (with record turnout this year–you’ve outdone yourselves!).
The cost in manpower and resources was unnecessary, and every one of those rescued should be nailed with a hefty fine to cover those costs. On the citation, in bold letters (with phonetic help), it should indicate that the fine was levied for being “a complete and total dumba$$.”
As for the remaining equipment left on the ice (atv’s, sleds, sheds, etc.), gather it up, and auction it off to cover the costs as well. If these f-tards are stupid enough to ignore the most obvious signs, at least have them help recoup the costs.
BTW, thanks again to those for help make this the lead story on the national news Saturday night and on CNN throughout the day. You’ve done Toledo proud, again…
Since your Ice Shelf is gone, here are a few tips to keep you safe in the remaining winter days.
1. As temperatures climb, frozen things melt. Stay off the ice, stupid.
2. No, you can’t make a bigger plywood bridge. Don’t even try–you’ll probably cut your arm off or nail your foot to it during the process.
3. No, tying a rope from the ice shelf to the shore will not hold it in place. See number 1 again, and this time, read it slowly (or ask a 3rd grader for help).
4. No, dragging a portable generator and an AC unit onto the ice will not prevent it from melting. A few of you were already thinking of this (you know who you are). A big fan won’t help, either…
5. Buy the fish. They have places that will prepare them, cook them, put them on a plate, and serve them to you. They are called bars, restaraunts, and taverns. It will save you time, money, embarrasment of being saved from a rescue, and possible death (unless you stick your fork in your eye). Which reminds me…
6. Don’t stick your fork in your eye.
PS. Thank you to all of the rescue personnel, volunteers, and coordinators for your help yesterday with “operation lemmings.” Be safe out there.
Mr. Common Sense
February 8th, 2009 at 7:09 pmNice post Mr. Common Sense, perhaps fearing exactly what you stated as to their equipment being seized, that is why some headed back out to the ice today to reclaim what they were forced to leave behind. However, today it appears that happened without incident or required rescue…
February 8th, 2009 at 7:18 pmI was wondering what the hell these guys were thinking. They actually had to use a plank of wood to cross over a large crack. I don’t know… I’ve never gone ice fishing and avoid cold weather activity as much as possible, but a crack that big would be a clue for me to stay off of the ice.
February 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pmI really liked the way they came off
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm