fishermen missing 2/7/04

Just heard a breaking news story that two ice fishermen are missing. They are concentrating the search just south of the 94 bridge in Hudson. I’ve been noticing a portable shack out there recently on a few evenings. It’s literally just yds from open water. Seen it the last couple of years actually. Think these guys luck finally ran out? We’ve talked about it before. I hope that they are found safely.
It’s a long way from shore out there.
Please post if you hear anything.

I just drove over the bridge and didn’t see anything going on? If you go under in that area they probably won’t you until spring. Current is slight but probably enough to bring you under the ice sheet south of 94.

About 6:30, copters and other emergency vehicles where around Beanies. 9:30 all was quiet…hope that was because of a false alarm.

didn’t hear anything on the 10PM news last night and nothing in the papers.

Nothing on the web sites either…might be a good sign?

Just got off the phone with the Hudson PD. The State Patrol came on the radio confirming the two fisherman were in the water and then shortly after they stated that they could NOT confirm anyone was missing. The Hudson PD Dive Squad never made it into the water.

As Turk and others have mentioned many times. The river’s always changing. As with any ice, it’s never 100% safe and rivers are less safe than lakes.

I guess it sounds bad, but I was so nervous last night that it was someone I knew from this web site. It shouldn’t make a differance who it is…but it’s always more personal when you know them or give them grief (in a good way)like I often do.

Be safe!

I talked to the assistant fire chief from Hudson at the grocery store this morning. He pretty much called it a false alarm.

Seemed a little annoyed also because it’s not the first time they’ve been called to that area. Washington County confirmed they did see somebody in the water like Brian said. To get that close to open water just to catch a fish seems foolish to me. Gets expensive when the emergency crews get called out to false alarms.

It’s good no one was seriously hurt. Some people don’t use a whole lot of common sense.

Gator Hunter

I had overheard on the news, not sure which station covered it, that there was a false alarm called in by someone who had seen someone in the water and the portable some distance away. My niece saw all the crews and mentioned there might be something on the news.

Anyway, we have discussed this before. The ice should be better this year compared to last but that whole area of Hudson………..railroad down past Beanies, should be off limits unless you’re in a boat. That’s just the way I feel about it. The only way to prevent tragedy is to avoid risk………..and even then, it still might get ya!

This area of the river has enough current to continually play with the ice conditions and has plenty of open water year in, year out. It’s not my place to infringe upon anyone’s freedom, but if these calls continue to get placed, the irresponsibility is going to lead to future regulation. That’s the way our country works. Freedom is a given thing until some nut puts self interest above the common good and restriction follows.

There a PLENTY of other places to fish…….. save a life that may be your own and set an example worthy of others to follow.

……………..Where’d I get this soap box?

…as in last years post…you might not be worried about fishing out there…but think about the families of the rescuers that have to come out and get you…or worse, have to go looking for someone when it’s a false alarm.

Sorry, I’m all about rights…but…is a couple crappies, eye or sauger worth it? Cub Foods sell ’em frozen and no risk of getting anyone wet.

Thanks for sharing your soap box with me kid!

I think it’s Darwin’s Natural Selection Theory at it best…

But on the other hand…..

I don’t want to start an argument with you guys, but I have to disagree with proposing regulations on closing off areas to ice fishing. Let them go where they want, even if it is dangerous. People need to use common sense and caution when it comes to ice fishing and even then, that doesn’t save evryone.
When you start closing areas because of unsafe ice, where will it end?
An extreme example: Several years ago my son-7years old-and I were ice fishing on lake odessa. Drilling through 8 inches of ice and getting gills in the pads. My son was playing around and happened to step on a pad in the ice and went through. Only 3 feet of water, but he got wet just the same. Now, does this constitute unsafe conditions? And who makes this decision? Seee what I’m getting at?
Stuff happens all the time and we shouldn’t constantly be trying to protect people from themselves.

Could this have been what all the ruckus was about??

Authorities identify injured snowmobilers

Jon J.

Herb,
I don’t think it’s really an argument. I don’t like to infringe on freedoms either. But it doesn’t pull the truth out of my opposing statement either. If enough people die, believe you me…………it doesn’t matter who we feel is ultimately responsible, someone will step up and justify the regulation by proving that we’re not capable of determining this ourselves. Regulation will quickly follow.

We are responsible for ourselves. I’d like it to stay that way too. But if enough people die…………it won’t. So, just like a dam puts up signs to warn of getting too close, I think a rope across access for KNOWN, CONSISTANT, and ENDANGERING conditions should also apply. If you cross the rope, you cross the rope but if you have to call 911 for rescue, your wallet’s gonna take a BIG NASTY.

I’m looking for deterance of poor discernment before the government gets put in a position of, yet again, deciding what’s best for us. All it takes is enough dead people and the cries of their survivors to bring this to life. History supports the argument, as their are plenty of examples to look at.

I saw this person straight out from Beanies earlier this week. He had a portable, and it got me to wondering if the sled that he had would float him and his equipment if the ice broke off, or he went in. I got very nervous and anxious while driving by. I just doesn’t make sense. I am a huge ice fisherman, but I would never jeopardize myself for a few fish.
As for the debate about whether we should enact some law/s or not. I personally don’t think so. As a former Minnesota Governor said on his KFAN radio show: “You can’t legislate stupidity.” Now I didn’t agree with much of what he said, or did, but that makes sense. If you are foolish, my opinion, enough to stand on ice, in the middle of a river, just to fish. Than you should suffer any consequences. If you need to be rescued, you should foot the bill for it. If you die, then your estate should. I appreciate all the professional, and volunteers is that area, firefighters. I wouldn’t put them in that spot that they have to risk their life to save mine. I don’t think others should. They are there to respond to fires, accidents, health emergencies, etc. Not to respond to stupid people doing stupid things.
Not intended to offend, just my opinion.
Steve

Last night there where two portables out there, south of the 94 bridge. One was set up only 10-15 feet from open water. I just really feel uncomfortable seeing that. It’s sort of like when I am watching a movie, and the good guy is going to get caught doing something he shouldn’t. Like looking through someone’s house, and they are pulling up in the driveway
Steve

Last year people were fishing from the edge of the ice right at the end of the season.The olny thing I worry about is other people seeing them and think its ok and trying it when its not safe .I hope they never try to stop anyone but the bottom line has to be safty.
good fishing guys

In fishing situations like this wouldnt it be smart to be wearing a life jacket. You dont see this being done very often. Theres been a few late season trips that I would of felt better with one on. My son wears one on the ice if the conditions look iffy.

It’s funny you mentioned that Mike. I the summer, you will seldom see me on the water without a pdf on…but in the winter…never.

I have a buddy the bought a self inflating belt for winter fishing. Good idea for ice…unless it’s a windsor press….then maybe more so!