Editorial – It was a miraculous day on Rice Lake on Sunday as anglers took in likely the last weekend of ice fishing.
But it wasn’t “miraculous” because of the weather.
It was miraculous that no one fell through the ice and died.
That’s right. There were approximately 30 people ice fishing when the temperature was a balmy 14 degrees Celsius. In some areas it was hard to find a spot to get out onto the ice along the lakeshore because the ice was melting.
One angler found out the hard way that he was in the wrong area.
As he and three other friends were heading out, the man was just off shore when he went through the ice up to his waist. With the help from one of his friends he managed to get out. That was it for his day. But his friends took the chance and walked out to where others spent the day.
What was shocking was some people even took their children out onto the ice.
Not being an angler, maybe it was uneducated of myself to think the ice was unsafe – until speaking with locals.
From restaurants, to angling stores, to emergency services, no one could believe there were people on the ice.
One local said he believed 90% of the people were from the greater Toronto area.
At the south end of Bewdley three people appeared to be on the ice fishing into open water.
There were some people who just waited along the shoreline for something to happen. It was eerie.
It was just luck that no one went through the ice. Nothing else.
Yes some people had what is known as survival suits on that would protect them to some degree.
But if someone ever got into trouble and required to be rescued, it would take time. And time is something a person may run out of if they are trying to stay alive in near freezing water.
Fire departments were busy enough on Sunday battling numerous fires. The last thing they needed was to rescue someone who had fallen through the ice.
Thankfully that didn’t happen – at least for today.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
