I have a stupid question for you guys. Some one was talking about a pressure ridge running through the lake. What do you mean or I guess what I'm asking is what is a pressure ridge. Does that weaking the ice or what? How many of you guys are planning on going to the derby up there on the 30th.?
A pressure ridge is a lot like the earths tectonic plates. As the ice has formed, and continues to expand, all the extra pressure has to go somewhere, so the ice will usually buckle, providing "relief" of the excess pressure, similar to how earthqaukes provide a little relief from the built up stress in the earths' plates. This buckling will form a "ridge" of ice, that is usually quite safe, but can be a little spooky if you hit them too fast on a machine. Sometimes you can see water right through the cracks in the ridge. Just use caution around them.
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The problem with pressure ridges is that often the ice next to the pressure ridge has been broken up into small chunks and may or may not be refrozen into something solid, and as a result one will think that they are walking on solid thick ice and suddenly fall through. They are easy to spot because there is ice piled on top of ice, and there is a noticeable crack in the ice that often runs for miles across the ice. A couple years ago I watched two guys fall through a pressure ridge at Bear Lake. They got out quickly, and one guy didn't learn his lesson because he turned around and fell through a second time a short distance from where he fell in the first time. If you have to cross one, try to step as far away from the crack on both sides as you cross. I tie a rope around my chest and hand the end of the rope to my fishing partner, who stays back until I have safely croseed. I also often put my sled right next to me, so that if the ice gives away there is a good chance that the sled will act as a bridge to give me some support.
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mktgw, I am going to be at the derby. I'll be in my camo gortex outfit, stop and say hello. I'd like to meet some BFT member's. My dad will be fishing with me. We have a 2man frabill hut. See you at the Derby . Travis
I'll be at the derby to. I'll be in my big black carhart coat. Beard, & glasses. You guys come over and say hello, introduce yourself. Me and the boys was one of the lucky 49 anglers thay made the list. Good luck to every body. Pikeman GO FISH
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