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It's already happening!!


little chief

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Seen a report from a "guide" on red that was pics of him ice fishing with a limit at his feet saying how unsafe the ice is for anyone else! Anyone else think this is a little nuts to be posting? Anyone else seen this?

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Guess you are referring to Bear Paw. Saw the pics too and was pretty certain he would be the first one out. Now the other resorts will get flooded with phone calls and get to have the same conversation about 1000 times a day. I bet Buddy Hillman has started to cautiously stake the road too. Probably be busy up there next weekend. Hope the wind stays down for good ice making.

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I got a call last night demanding I take them out since it is safe and "others are already out there" and two emails wanting to know if I can guide this week. I will be thinking about it after December 1st, with good cold weather.

Don't worry, others will now have to prove they can do it also, happens every year. Eventually somebody will slip under the ice on Upper Red Lake and not come back and that will change it, but until then we will see this every year. I would bet money by the end of next week we will have a picture of a small vehicle such as a Suzuki, Geo or Jeep on the ice.

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i agree with Johnny p, let the games begin! wouldnt be surprised if wheelers are out there next week. Last year I was out and had 4-5" where we set up and had wheelers pulling wheel houses out around us.

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Doesn't matter what day of the year it is. It's all about the weather.

The weather has been great for making ice, and with sound early ice precaution, I see no reason why people shouldn't be out on the ice by late this week-next weekend...

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Agreed. Plus each person is different for what they feel comfortable walking, 4 wheeling, driving on.....I just can't believe people would contact Jonny demanding he take them out. If you want out that bad walk yourself.

Matt

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I say this sounds great. Great for Johnny. Great for other guides. He doesn't have to take them, but at least the people are knocking at the door. Great marketing to get people amped up for the season. Be safe and go when you feel comfortable.

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Johnny P, For you to begin your guiding season, how much ice do you like to have?

I like to wait for 6" for foot travel, 8" for sleds or ATVs and 12" for light vehicles. It's not that I want extra ice I just don't want to find the variables in it, such as a thinner spot when everything else is already thin. The way I look at it is I have most of December, January, Febuaury and some perch fishing in March on Upper Red. Lots of time for me to fish and I don't have to be a nervous wreck worrying about leading a client into a bad situation.

If others want to try it, have at it. I do get frustrated every year, as do a few other businesses when we start getting the phone calls because "so and so is out why not you?" As much as you try to explain it people get upset because you will not let them out or take them out. I made the decision last night from now on those that call and get grumpy about it will be put on the blacklist and they can go out with somebody else on thin ice, not this guy.

Like the guy this morning that just wanted me to lead him out for a fee. When I said no he called me a "chicken s**t p***y", laughed and then hung up when I asked why he needed me to lead him out of it was all safe?

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If you read the original post he states "give it a little while longer, don't take any chances." Its brilliant marketing by them as they are the first on the ice catching fish.

Living in the area and watching the lake freeze has its advantages. I would bet a lot of money he had no clients with him yesterday. 2c

Don't hate because you're jealous.

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When walking out by yourself and fishing on thin ice, you only have yourself to blame if things go wrong. I'd be willing to bet as well that he had no clients out there. But it's just enough to whet the whistle and get folks calling, which will help fill the schedule for next week or the week after when the ice IS thicker.

What some people (like the person that called you, Johnny) fail to realize is that there's a big liability when you take clients with you. By collecting money from folks to help them hunt/fish, guides actually assume some liability. How much liability is usually measured in dollars and potential jail time -- and in the case of an accident/injury/death, is usually up to the courts to decide afterward. It's pretty easy for a judgement to exceed insurance $$ limits and be financially AND emotionally ruined if a death was to occur. If it was my livelihood, I'd be a bit more cautious as well.

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A friend of mine that was an avid, experienced ice angler, walked off an ice edge that the bright morning sun had caused him to not judge correctly.He drowned and was found under the ice right where he fell in. A second friend just couldnt miss out on the hot crappie bite, and watched in amazement as his brand spankin new, Ford truck sunk to the bottom in 20 foot of water...... crazy

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I worry about variability as well this time of year. Worst feeling in the world when you feel uncomfortable with the ice.

Conversations about ice safety are never bad.

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If you read the original post he states "give it a little while longer, don't take any chances." Its brilliant marketing by them as they are the first on the ice catching fish.

Living in the area and watching the lake freeze has its advantages. I would bet a lot of money he had no clients with him yesterday. 2c

Don't hate because you're jealous.

I know said person very well and beyond what a client does. He is safe and he knows the danger! He is an avid fisherman, still does not make him an ice expert. But knowing him, he is not taking any chances. I agree with the poster I quoted.

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"out here catching limits....ice is dangerous though, stay off"

LOL grin

gimme a break, talk about having your cake and eating it too. smile

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I bet that ice sheet is really gonna get tested this week. Supposed to be pretty windy this week and then warm up some. I am guessing its gonna get shifted around pretty good making for some unsafe spots out there and piles in others. Hopefully some of you can hold off for another week and let the ice do its thing instead of driving 4-5 hours only to find out that it opened back up or worse yet that you are out fishing and it opens back up and you need to be rescued.

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I just came in from predator hunting along the far end of the north shore and the ice sheet is making a rukus today.Lots of popping and banging going on, sounds like a three hour long car accident going on.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I got a call last night demanding I take them out since it is safe and "others are already out there" and two emails wanting to know if I can guide this week. I will be thinking about it after December 1st, with good cold weather.

Don't worry, others will now have to prove they can do it also, happens every year. Eventually somebody will slip under the ice on Upper Red Lake and not come back and that will change it, but until then we will see this every year. I would bet money by the end of next week we will have a picture of a small vehicle such as a Suzuki, Geo or Jeep on the ice.

Jonny, this time of year. Why don't you guys put a weekly Ice conditions message on your phone? That way you wouldn't have to waste your time with the suicidal. Just put: Sunday Nov 16 2014 weekly ice condition reports. To Dam Thin!

For any "serious" inquires about the upcoming ice fishing season accommodations. Please call this number....... laugh

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I just let office phone ring and sort through the messages at night during freeze up after the yearly "I'm on the ice photo bomb". What is tough is the resorts trying to serve food, tend bar, take care of already in house clients. They need a person hired on just to answer "can get out? Why not? I see pictures of others out, why not you guys?" Luckily I don't have a public access so it is not too bad for me, I feel for those with a public/pay access trying to reason as to why not with every phone call.

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Really it's just part of the business that's dependent on nature. Ask yourself this; would these resorts rather have no calls asking when?

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If I was a betting man I would say most of the resorts and outfitters(including myself) do not care how many calls they have to answer, all asking the same questions, because these people will remember your customer service and great attitude. Most respect your opinions about the ice and if they don't they will look elsewhere. No need to get mad at them they are all just looking for information. Way better then the phone going silent. Good luck fishing. Justin b

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Just personal preference, not saying one way or the other is better . We would rather talk to our customers personally then them going on the internet looking at someone's report that maybe has not been on the lake at all. Especially with conditions constantly changing on the lake. Good luck fishing.

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Well I'm not about to waste others time until I've wasted enough of my own. Too many people don't think that way and continue to put themselves in front of anybody else's concerns. That's cool though, I don't have room in my house for those guys.

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Well I'm not about to waste others time until I've wasted enough of my own. Too many people don't think that way and continue to put themselves in front of anybody else's concerns. That's cool though, I don't have room in my house for those guys.

Bingo!! Get the reports online and if you still need to call to a NO as to if you can go out on the ice, Wait a couple days or so to call.

4 walleyes are not worth putting someone else at risk because you don't mind getting wet in the winter. Keep up the good work JonnyP!!

Plus it is a big lake and the first ice conditions can just quickly with some wind.

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Who needs a guide to catch fish on upper red? My God. I go up a couple times each winter and never have any trouble catching as many walleyes as i want. And try different places. All i need to know is if the ice is safe and what time the bait store opens.

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Good humor. I want to know if I will fall in or not. I really think it is funny when "guides" say dont come, it isnt safe. And then when you do get there, there tell you to fish in 5 feet of water. If I fall through in 5fow the only thing that is going to happen is a cold walk or ride back to the truck. Oh well. See you guys out there.

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