christelbee

I just wanted to bump this post back to the top, even though it is 7 years old, so others could see it as a warning about being careful. I know this year is much colder than usual and the ice is probably thicker, but I'd hate to see another person lose a life. The man mentioned here who died out on the bay was my dad, and we really miss him. Just hate for this to happen to someone else.

Hey everyone. I found this forum because I always think a lot about my dad this time of year, and he was with all his being a fisherman and hunter. I did a google search of his name and came across this topic from 7 years ago. His name was Peter Ries and he died on February 7th, 2007 ice fishing outside of Linwood on Lake Michigan. In the summers he was a charter boat captain out of Frankfort's East Shore Marina, known as "Lucky" to the guys there. That was his boats name, and he also would fish in any weather, had a small boat, and would always bring in a catch. His best friends were fisherman, and he once told me he'd be happy if he died while he was fishing. Well, he did, because he was fishing in unsafe ice conditions. He told me himself a week before he passed away that he was itching to get out on the bay, but he didn't think the ice was ready. He skipped out on his carpal tunnel surgery that day to go fishing instead! I just wanted to spread the word and bring this article back to light, that people need to be careful and check conditions. Here is the thread I came across: http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3969 As for myself, I've done quite a bit of fishing. Took a couple years for me to walk on the ice again after that, but I've been out since then. Love the Great Lakes. Loved taking outdoors and fisheries classes when I was in college. Taught a lot of little kids to fish at the summer camp I worked at up in the UP. My little girl is 2 now and she's going to be getting her first little fishing pole in an Easter basket this year. Starting a little late in my dad's terms probably, because I remember sitting on the couch casting fishing line across the livingroom with my dad when I was just 1! Really sad my dad never got to meet my husband. Haven't been fishing in a couple years now since having my baby but I'm hoping to get out again this spring. My husband doesn't fish, but anyone in the Petoskey area need a fishing buddy someday (two buddies actually, one is quite small). Any women on here?