Rotary Derby, Feb. 18th & 19th, 2006

[IFish]

Hi Everyone, it's my first post, but I've been a reader for years now. In fact, this is where I usually get my ice information, before the Rotary Derby's. This year the derby was moved back a week, due to unsafe ice conditions. I went on Sat only, and had planned on fishing from about 7am to 3pm. Anyone that was out that morning, knows how cold and windy it was, not to mention the mini-blizzard that blew though early in the morning. My friend and I had walked out on to the ice, and with no bob house, or other shelter, we called it a day about 11am.

We fished almost directly across from the weigh in trailer, on Meridith Bay. Did anyone else fish that area, or see the large area behind the weigh in board, that had very thin ice? It was a large area, that came from the incoming stream, and went more than 1/2 way across the end of the bay. I was told it had only been frozen for a couple of days, which would seem about right, as there was no more than 2 inch's of black ice. All of the good ice, surrounding that area, had about 6-8 inhes of good white ice. I know, white ice usually isn't that good. But compared to the large area of thin black ice, it was more than safe enough to walk, fish, and snow mobile on.

In the short amount of time I was in the area, at least one 4 wheeler (maybe 2) and a fisherman went through the unsafe ice. I didn't see the 4 wheeler go in, but I did see the guys pull it out with a grappling hook, and rope. Even that was not very safe, as the person nearest to the edge, had to try and wedge the axel and wheels up and over the ice, with boards.

What was really scary was the fisherman who had walked over some rotten white ice, and dropped through. He wasn't on the black ice, but not too far from it, maybe 20 feet. He just got unlucky, and broke thru. I heard some noise, and looked in that direction. Guys were running to where he went down. At first I didn't see him, but then he finally popped up through the hole he made when going down. He was only up a couple seconds, and went back down. By this time, the "rescue" fishermen, had started to lie down, in a line, each grabbing the guys boots in front of him. They were edging towards the area, when the fisherman popped up a second time. This time he was able to grab on to the ice, and start kicking with his legs. It was text book, and he was able to get his legs high enough, to get them on to the ice, and was able to roll to safety. Luckily he was able to get out on his own, as the rescue guys sill had not reached him. It was a bad break that he went through, but it all worked out in his favor. He was lucky enough to come back up thru the hole he had made, and then smart enough to kick himself on to safe ice!!

I then looked towards derby headquarters, to see if anyone was making there way out to help. We could easily see the trailer, the guys cooking, the tents, everything. Yet apparently no one on shore noticed what had happened. I decided to walk in, to tell them of the unsafe conditions not to far, behind the "fish board". This was a fairly large area, and there were some folks walking out on to the ice to see the action, as well as the fishermen. I didn't want to see anyone else get in trouble, with the thin ice.

I was sadly mistaken if I thought I could get someone to listen to me, and maybe put a plan together, to warn folks away from the most dangerest areas! I first ran into 3 policemen, in uniform. They were on shore, near the board, and looking out over the ice. I asked if they had seen what happend. Nope, they hadn't. When I asked if there was something that could be done to mark the area, they just told me they wern't going on to the ice. Next I went to the F.D. tent, and spoke to fireman inside the tent, who was getting ready for the day. I told him what happened, but since the guy had gotten out, he didn't seem interested. He asked me what I thought could be done. I notied some good sized, heavy duty, yellow saw horses in the area, and suggested they be brought out on to the ice, and yellow police safety tape be strung from one to another. Too much work, plus he told me that the same thing was happening all over the lake. I reminded him that this was right at Derby Headquartes, where they were many more people assembled, than at most other places on the ice.

I think what really got me, was that he then told me if people were going to go on the ice, they should know good ice, from unsafe ice!!! Give me a break, not everyone there was a sportsman, or ice fisherman, and knows good ice, from bad. I didn't get anywhere there, so my final stop was the derby weigh in guys themselves. I waited while they weighed in a nice 2 pound tagged rainbow. When they had a minute, I told them the same story, now for the third time. I've got to tell you, by this time, I juist wanted to get out of the wind, but I thought these guys were my last hope.

Nope, not interested, they were there to weigh in fish! I read the fish reports that I could find, over the next few days, and there was nothing about any drownings in Meredith Bay, thankfully. I know that Rotary had to get the derby going, and I don't blame them for having it, considering how poor the ice conditions were this year. I'm just wondering what you guys think, did I go overboard, trying to get that area marked off? In my mind, I did what was right, and I suppose thats all that matters.

Thanks for all the good info over the years,
I Fish