Ice
Ice Baby! I have been ice fishing out on Stoddard Bay dozens of times
over the last 35 years, and I have seen just about everything related
to angling through hard water occur, get used, or get caught in one
way or another. On Sunday morning, I was able to say, “Now there's
something you don't see every day.” I was meeting Vince Ruetten at
Stoddard Landing so we could maybe hunt up a fish dinner or two.
When I pulled in, the La Crosse Dive Unit was parked by the ramp
along with two or three tow trucks. I saw a squad car parked nearby
as well. Uh oh! There were three guys in orange and yellow vests
out 40 yards from the boat launch tapping shovels into the ice.
There was a yellow police tape up around the site too. Somebody had
gone through and sunk to the bottom! Vinny and I watched for awhile,
and then we went fishing. When we came back in for lunch, the small
car was partially up out of the river, but apparently hung up on the
tires. The tow trucks were trying to hoist the car up when we saw a
cable break - or come loose - and whip back at the mostly still
sunken car.
Anyway,
let me back this up a bit to Saturday afternoon when I was unloading
my ice sled at the landing. A small silver station wagon, maybe a VW
Jetta, went zipping by me and right down the ramp onto the ice and
out across the lake. I held my breath, but nothing happened.
Another guy closer to the landing who was also getting ready to go
out said something like, “I thought that guy was going to get wet!”
I had made plans to meet Jeff Bye out on the ice. When I got out
there, he had a bucket of perch going, but he was as amazed as I was
that the car made it out on the ice. He told me that he had
accidentally dumped his minnow pail at the landing, so he drilled a
hole out from the ramp to dip some fresh water on his bait. He said
the ice there was at most 2 or 3 inches thick - it was probably 9
inches where we were fishing. Anyway, long story short, I was back
at the landing at dusk talking to Adam Woodhouse when the car came
back in pushing a four-wheeler that wouldn't start. They came in
slowly and drove right up the ramp without incident. Of course if
you walk, or drive, on thin ice it can be risky, and while I guess
I would have figured the ice would be even stronger after another
bitter cold night, just because he made it on Saturday, didn't cut
any ice with Ma Nature on Sunday morning. The car that broke through
was one and the same - so go figure.
I
understand the driver escaped and that he was okay. Anyway, thanks
to the volunteers of the La Crosse Dive Unit, the tow truck recovery
guys, the police and whomever else helped out.
The
question and opinions kept popping up as I talked to people in the
area. One said, “Oh, this guy is so gonna get a fine.” Another,
“This is gonna cost thousands.” So what
happens if one were to ice something (car, four-wheeler, snowmobile,
etc.) down so to speak? You
might be amazed to find that your auto insurance will cover if your
vehicle goes through the ice. With full coverage most companies will
cover, minus the deductible, for everything, divers, towing charges,
etc. I am going to guess that it would be a one-time thing or one
might be looking for other insurance. My agent said there is no
“stupidity clause,” (but then she doesn't ice fish.) As far as
the DNR, I think it goes case by case, but I hear you have 24 hours
to get the vehicle out and then they will do it for you - not for
free.
Speaking
of getting put on ice, how about dem Packers? My ears are still
ringing from all of the shouting!!! per day
Until
next time, get out - Robert Frost once wrote,
“Some
say the world will end in fire,
Some
say in ice.
From
what I've tasted of desire
I
hold with those who favor fire.
But
if it had to perish twice,
I
think I know enough of hate
To
say that for destruction ice
is
also great
and
would suffice.”
Ice
is also great for skating, coolers, drinks, sculpting, and fishing
ON. Here's hoping you all have a good Christmas and a great 2014
from all of us here at Grouse Hollow. Enjoy.
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