Pick your partners well

[saugeyemarc]

     Sometimes talking Ice fishing can lead to some eye opening experiences being shared by other anglers.  I was in Northern Ohio at a truck stop eating dinner when another driver asked if minded some company as open tables were hard to come by.  I always like company during dinner if nothing more than to take my mind off the open road.  Said he saw my ICEARMOUR hat and knew another ice man was in the house.  So we talked lures, electronics, bait but somehow got talking about bad ice.  He was from Minnesota and he talked about laying ladders down to get from shore to ice over a foot thick.  But what got to me was when he talked about taking a so called friend with him one day.  He said the guy was "iffy" to start with.  Said he wanted to go then would back out and finally he went.  It was early and the ice was decent but not thick in areas.  Using a rope he led this guy out and the ice gave way and he went through.  His "buddy" dropped the rope and was gone as quick as he could run to his car and gone.   I know as the story got going my eyes were getting big and round.  Anyway he tells it was an acre pond and he knew he was only in 3 feet of water 20 feet from the bank.  Using picks he got back up and made it to his own car.  When he called his so called buddy to find out why he deserted him the only answer was "I can't swim"
   It got me thinking.  Do I trust everyone I take ice fishing with me.?  Are these guys who can keep their cool under pressure?  Will they panic if they fall in or I do?  Am I willing to put my life in their hands?  In my younger dumber unmarried, no kids/grandkids days it never mattered but now.  I guess we all know this is a great sport but there is danger involved even if a minor chance.  You want to know the people you share this sport with have got your back on the ice.  If there is a foot of good ice no problem anyone who wants to join me is welcome but I think in the future when it's 4" or less I'm going to be more selective of my fishing partners. 

[slabslayer]

Good pause for thought. Thanks for that post.

[Luvztaphish]

 . There wouldn't have been much of a conversation ,except with the arresting officer!

[pig puncher]

my last trip out, 3.5 inches of ice, some snow cover. used my spud bar, had my picks around my neck, got set up, fish were bitin', life was good. here comes a guy with 2 little boys, maybe 5 and 8, wandering all over the ice, no rope picks----- no safety gear whatever. i'll fish on 4", i'll take my kids on 6", my kids kids, i want 8. i just hope his kids don't have any ponds around where they can wander on to by themselves.

[snowcone]

wow i had an experience close to the frustration of that... my best friend and i went hunting in chocton for grouse he drove and we met my other friend at his cabin. after lunch we wandered back into the woods and soon seperated, after a couple rabbits and grouse i started back , the day was great and now the snow was falling very heavy,,...darkness was around me when i reached the cabin and there wasnt any cars .... no one around    well now  what . here i stand in the middle of bfe , dark , snowing, tired, shotgun over my shoulder, and 75 miles from home...walked all the way to rt 77 about 4 mi. tried to thumb home a ride but would you pick up a camo gun bearing stranger? broke my gun down put it in my back pack and finally got a ride, walked another few miles when dropped along side the road. now the sun is coming up and i walk in my house wondering what happened...went to my buddys house to see if something happened. well he went for cigs and got lost and left me..i turned and left before my murderous thoughts caught up with me.... the end.......

[Ntoiceman36]

This guy was your best friend,with a friend like who needs enemies,might wanna weed the garden

[slabslayer]

Wow!!  That's just wrong!  I think he owes you at least 2 G Loomis bass rods with Steez reels for that one!!

[floater99]

I had a ''PAL'' went to my trailer for a overnite ice trip,wish he would of invited me to go with him to my place.

[snowcone]

i hear ya

[futurestrader]

Yeah I have been out many a times this year and the kids want to go but I just don't trust it even if they have life vests on.

[erierider]

Oh yeah! How are those life jackets???

[futurestrader]

Nice and dry you want me to drop them off at your brothers tomorrow when I pick up the Atv?

[Northeast Panfish League]

Good story and food for thought!

[icebucketjohn]

My Motto:  The Fattest guy goes out on the ice first.   The light-weights will follow!

[davidhoheisel]

Is that why CRV makes me go first?