Congratulations !
You have been awarded points.
Thank you for !
- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Survival / Success
- Subject: Action
- Published: 02/02/2025
Be Careful Out There
Born 1955, M, from Norwich NY, United States.jpeg)
Be Careful Out There (Confessions of The Ice Men)
By Herm Sherwood-Sitts
On Saturday, January 18th, 2025, my son Rube picked me up to go Ice fishing. The first spot we were going to try was pretty well occupied, with not much room to park. We headed to another pond.
When we arrived there was no one there, but you could see tracks where other ice fishermen had been. We unloaded our gear and headed out onto the ice.
We set up on 6” of ice, 5 tip ups with minnows and then we sat in our shanty fishing with rods. The heater made it comfortable, but after about 20 minutes of no bites we moved to deeper water. Another 20 minutes of no bites and we decided to pack up and go to the other end of the pond.
We had been successful at the place where we were headed many times in our 18 or so years of ice fishing. It was a 30’ drop off. When Rube drilled the first hole, “he said the ice was only 4” thick.” We had fished on 4 to 6” before with no problems.
Rube reset the tip ups, and we set up our Ice shanty. The Vexilar’s were showing activity on the bottom at 30’. Rube put “The Red Clay Strays” on his phone and sat it down between us. While listening to the music and dropping our lines, we noticed water was coming up through the holes. This is not completely uncommon; however, it seemed different. Rube said, “maybe we should move.”
He no more than made one step toward the door and we crashed through the ice, shanty, heater, 2 Vexilar’s, fishing gear and phone. During the chaos Rube managed to flip the canvas top of the shanty off of us. If he hadn’t it would have taken us to the bottom. It sank like a rock. Several years ago, Rube’s Wife bought him floatation bibs and jacket just for this reason. Without them I wouldn’t have been here to tell you this story. It saved both of our lives. The suit was the only reason Rube made it back on top of the ice.
It happened so fast. I remember trying to get back onto the ice clawing with my fingers, trying to pull myself up. Several attempts and the ice kept breaking. I could feel me sinking lower each time. My Carhart jacket and Muck boots had taken on water and were weighing me down. The funny thing was, the water didn’t seem that cold. Rube was now laying on his stomach on the ice reaching for me. The ice kept breaking and I told him “Rube you are losing me.” Eventually, we found thicker ice and my son slid me up on the ice and saved my life. We retrieved our tip ups and ice auger and a few things that were floating. We wanted to leave the scene as clean as possible, hoping someone wouldn’t think we had drowned. We then made the trek back to the truck at the other end of the pond.
We lost about $1,500 worth of gear. However, we still have our lives.
The next day on the phone I asked my Granddaughter, “does your dad want to go ice fishing?”
Her reply was, “ice fishing is not allowed in our house anymore.”
We will see…
Be Careful Out There(Herm Sherwood-Sitts)
Be Careful Out There (Confessions of The Ice Men)
By Herm Sherwood-Sitts
On Saturday, January 18th, 2025, my son Rube picked me up to go Ice fishing. The first spot we were going to try was pretty well occupied, with not much room to park. We headed to another pond.
When we arrived there was no one there, but you could see tracks where other ice fishermen had been. We unloaded our gear and headed out onto the ice.
We set up on 6” of ice, 5 tip ups with minnows and then we sat in our shanty fishing with rods. The heater made it comfortable, but after about 20 minutes of no bites we moved to deeper water. Another 20 minutes of no bites and we decided to pack up and go to the other end of the pond.
We had been successful at the place where we were headed many times in our 18 or so years of ice fishing. It was a 30’ drop off. When Rube drilled the first hole, “he said the ice was only 4” thick.” We had fished on 4 to 6” before with no problems.
Rube reset the tip ups, and we set up our Ice shanty. The Vexilar’s were showing activity on the bottom at 30’. Rube put “The Red Clay Strays” on his phone and sat it down between us. While listening to the music and dropping our lines, we noticed water was coming up through the holes. This is not completely uncommon; however, it seemed different. Rube said, “maybe we should move.”
He no more than made one step toward the door and we crashed through the ice, shanty, heater, 2 Vexilar’s, fishing gear and phone. During the chaos Rube managed to flip the canvas top of the shanty off of us. If he hadn’t it would have taken us to the bottom. It sank like a rock. Several years ago, Rube’s Wife bought him floatation bibs and jacket just for this reason. Without them I wouldn’t have been here to tell you this story. It saved both of our lives. The suit was the only reason Rube made it back on top of the ice.
It happened so fast. I remember trying to get back onto the ice clawing with my fingers, trying to pull myself up. Several attempts and the ice kept breaking. I could feel me sinking lower each time. My Carhart jacket and Muck boots had taken on water and were weighing me down. The funny thing was, the water didn’t seem that cold. Rube was now laying on his stomach on the ice reaching for me. The ice kept breaking and I told him “Rube you are losing me.” Eventually, we found thicker ice and my son slid me up on the ice and saved my life. We retrieved our tip ups and ice auger and a few things that were floating. We wanted to leave the scene as clean as possible, hoping someone wouldn’t think we had drowned. We then made the trek back to the truck at the other end of the pond.
We lost about $1,500 worth of gear. However, we still have our lives.
The next day on the phone I asked my Granddaughter, “does your dad want to go ice fishing?”
Her reply was, “ice fishing is not allowed in our house anymore.”
We will see…
- Share this story on
- 3
.png)
Denise Arnault
02/03/2025Wow! You get used to the 'danger' of everyday activities until life gets in the way. I'm so glad that you had the proper safety gear and were able to get out before hypothermia. Thanks for letting everyone else to be prepared.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
.jpeg)
Herm Sherwood-Sitts
02/03/2025Thank you, Denise. At first, I wasn't going to share this story because it was personal to me. However, after giving it some thought, maybe it will help save someone else.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
.jpeg)
Kevin Hughes
02/02/2025Herm,
You do know that fishing stories are supposed to be tall tales of the big one that got away? This story scared the heck out of me. I did some cold water training in the Army, and I know what happens when a human being his 40 degree water...you get one full strenght panic stroke, the second stroke slaps the water, and then all your heat is gone. I never heard of those fishing float suits, but you owe Rube's wife as many dinners, choclolates and flowers as she wants...forever!
I am sure the ban on ice fishing will end...when Hell itself freezes over. But I understand the Pike down there put up a heck of a fight. So glad you made it out alive. That was as close a call as you can have. Had you stayed in that water - even with those bibs and things...you wouldn't have been here to tell us.
I suppose you don't want to hear about my hangnail?
Smiles, Kevin
Help Us Understand What's Happening
.jpeg)
Herm Sherwood-Sitts
02/03/2025Thank you, Kev... It was pretty traumatic. Hope your hang nail is better!
COMMENTS (2)