Ice fishing safety

This week's story, Jan. 28, has to do with ice fishing and a close call that a couple seasoned anglers had recently.
Many of us who fish through the ice have stories or experienced falling through. Usually it's through ice that is suspicious to begin with like first or last ice.
But the principles in this story were on solid, 8-inch ice. They even spudded holes and saw the ice was thick enough not only to support the weight of a man but probably snow machines too.
And right near, in fact withink 15-feet of the think ice, for some reason, the ice thinned to just a little more of an inch.
This is the ice Gary Mobley fell through. As he tried to climb out, the ice around him kept breaking up.
Only with the help of his partner Pat Larsen and another angler was Mobley eventually able to gain solid enough ice to be dragged out and eventually off the ice.
The watchword is be careful on the ice. Take those precautions we all nervously laugh at. Consider wearing a PFD or a float suit if you can afford it. Throw in a sturdy rope to be used to toss if you need it, and think about buying or making a set of picks to wear around your neck.
They just might come in handy in the event you need to drive one into ice for a hand-hold.

For those of you that have been following, I'm back home once again, safe and sound. I'm wondering what is going on with all the invasives, especailly the Asain Carp that threatens to take over wherever it is introduced.
While those of us in the Great Lakes and surrounding areas worry about such things, seems as though 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., in the nations capitol isn't overly concerned. At least not enough to slam the door, or in this case, water control gates shut so these critters already present in the river systems leading here, won't spoil fishing as we know it.
And from what experts say, spoiling fishing is an understatement. The fishing industry, -commoercial and recreational- in the Great Lakes is very valuable to say the least. Without it or if it's decimated or altered in any way, affects will be felt not only here in Michigan, but in many states borderig the Great Lakes, as well as Canada.
Stay tuned. I'll have more to say on carp, invsive weeds and the like. Cooments? Send them along. I'd love to hear them.

Happy New Year

Funny how all sorts of diet and excercise regimes arrive about the time the New Year comes in. Seems as though promoters take advanatge of the consumer, knowing full well that resolutions will be made, many having to do with excercise and weight loss.
So why not jump on the band wagon and take advantage of us just when we are pretty much vulnerable and looking for that magic excerice or food that will have us back to high school weight in a couple of weeks.
Nothing even close to those claims exists. I've been there and done that. Usually with any of my doctors I'll ask if that magic diet pill has been invented yet.
The raw truth is you'll have to do it yourself. Eat less and better meals, and get some excercise. I know when I do these things, the weight comes off gradually, which is the best form of weight loss. It seems to last rather than the fad diets that see you losing pounds rapidly only to regain them.
What's all this have to do with the outdoors? Plenty, especially if you cross country or downhill ski, backpack, hike, hunt, fish, or any number of activites.
The likes of Kevin VanDam and others know that being in shape makes a difference when standing on a pitching deck of a bass boat for hours on end.
Hunters know they need to be physically in shape to hike in and possible drag a buck out. So do kayakers who propel themsleves largely with musccle power.
To better enjoy any of your outdoor pursuits this year, take the time and get in better shape. You'll be glad you did. Happy New Year!