Sad side of hard water

[ctom]

I wasall over the state again chasing my grandson's basketball team yesterday, leaving early in the AM and returning in time for the 10 pm news. No time for the computer last night. This morning I see that I got word about a friend who was a guide and deputy sheriff in a norther Wisconsin county right on Lake Superior. He went out to fish yesterday, went thru the ice on the big lake into 33 degree water and was not able to get out. People at the scene tried to pull him out, but his weight when wet was so much the ice kept breaking and another person slipped in twice trying to get him to safety. Apparently he was in the water for 45 minutes before rescue units could get to him and he's gone.

He was just married a couple years ago. Great guy to fish with. I met him on the Two Harbors breakwater several times for a morning of lure tossing when he wasn't on the water guiding someone. He was a stellar smallmouth guide all year long and was one of a few who could put anglers consistently on the bronze in the dead of winter. What a loss.

His name was Jim Hudson and my prayers have gone to and will continue to go to his family.

[CrabbyBass]

A buddy of mine posted about this tragic incident on FB. I am sorry sorry for the loss of your friend. Hearing stories like this keeps me from being a hard water enthusiast. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Jim.  God Bless!

[Brent]

I have fished with Jim and Hannah and they are some of the nicest people Ive met. Jim had vast knowledge about fishing and was willing to share with anyone. Prayers for Hannah and family.

[Denny Welch]

What a tragic loss, Tom.  I won't pretend to know anything about ice fishing, but I know that you guys who do it swear by it.  I hope that Jim's death will act as a reminder to all of you guys to do whatever you have to do to remain safe, even if that means to stay home.  Prayers of peace sent to Hannah, to Jim's family and to his many friends.

[ctom]

Our rule of thumb up here is simple: no ice is safe ice. This incident just reinforces that idea. Any of you fishing the ice, be darned sure of where you are at.

Jim drove over to Two Harbors a couple times to fish the breakwater with me. He sure liked to share what he knew and when it came to smallies he never had enough time.