2 decline rescue and decide to fish instead

[DTro]

LITTLE SUAMICO — Eight people out for a day of ice fishing were rescued today after a huge crack opened up on the bay of Green Bay.

The crack occurred about a half-mile from shore at Geano Beach Resort in the Oconto County town of Little Suamico.

Running roughly north to south, the crack was as much as 35 feet wide, according to deputy Troy Sherman of the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department.

“This is a very touchy year,” Sherman said. “We haven’t had good ice-making weather.”

A request was made for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department airboat, which made two trips to bring seven adults and one child back to shore in two trips.

The boat arrived about noon. The eight — all from the area — were back to shore by 1 p.m. Their ATVs were left on the bay to be retrieved later.

However, two other ice fishermen declined the ride to stay with their equipment and continue to fish. Sherman said the men were from the area, familiar with the bay and felt they would be able to return safely later.

Jim Friedman said they crossed a four-inch crack in the ice on the way out to a shack about a half-mile from shore.

About 10 a.m. the wind picked up and the gap turned into around 30 feet, he said.

“They say the ice is never safe,” Friedman said. “You never know, especially on water as big as this.”

His brother, Roger Friedman, said they drove over to the other groups farther out to let them know about the crack.

“We all decided to get out of there at the same time,” he said.

[smeese]

Figures......had their chance at the whole iceberg LOL

[mtbucket]

I laughed to myself when I read this elsewhere, earlier today. That's one way to get away from the crowd.

[CAMAN]

They wanted to troll!

I wonder if they brought along the downriggers or planner boards?

[Stick in Mud]

Ha! I heard guys talking this year about how they'd do the same thing if they were stuck across a crack on Mille Lacs. Said they'd sleep in their fishhouses and eat any fish they caught. How they'd cook them I don't know. Some people sure are strange!