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Daughter and I have a neighbor family we introduced to fishing this past year. Terrific people. She had a very bad experience falling in cold water as a very young child, and she's been pretty nervous about coming ice fishing with us.
She's a courageous person and really wants to go in spite of her nervousness, but is there anything I can tell her that might give her some confidence?
I told her about spud bars, and that just 4 inches of nice clear ice is very safe for people to walk on...and that anglers can and do drive vehicles on the ice...but I can tell she's jittery.
Any thoughts?
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If you do get her talked into going I would recommend finding a lake that has plenty of snow on the ice I have a buddy that goes a couple times a year and every time we're on bare ice and the sun hit it he sqeals like a little girl and won't move for a minuteand I think that would be your biggest problem when she goes aout and the ice starts it mornong stretch she'll be terrified if she is already nervous with out stepping foot on.
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Take them to a place that has thick ice and a bit of snow cover. Be sure it has solid edges and isn't going to have noisy ice.
Go on a nice weather day. Not too cold but not thawing.
Be sure that they have warm clothing and good boots.
Right now, Rockport would be a great place. Ice is 15" thick and the edges are great.
Explain that cracking, noisy ice isn't a threat to safety.
Have them fish close to the bank for the first little while and then when they are ready, take them out a little farther on the ice.
Measure the ice thickness and show them how thick it is.
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I took a newb from work with me a few weeks ago and he was kind of nervous as well. I took him to scofield where the ice was thick and the snow was deep enough (about 6") that he didnt even realize we were on the ice when we had already walked out a few yards. When I told him we were standing on about 20 feet of water it kind of blew his mind. Maybe starting out at a lake like Scofield where the ice is so thick and they cant see any water would be best.
Plus the thick blanket of snow muffled any cracking sounds so it didnt freak him out as bad.
Don't rush her either, let her work it out in her head and slowly become confident in the ice strength. Maybe drill a hole or two on the way out so she can see how thick and safe the ice is and how its structurally stronger than concrete when frozen solid. Dont make her cross any pressure ridges, especially where she can see ANY water. And..... catch lots of fish so she forgets her fear. [sly]
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Be careful. Phobias are real and getting her over it is NOT just a question of telling her not to be afraid, giving her information, or jolly-ing her into sucking it up.
Mere fear is different, but since childhood trauma is involved, I'm betting she has a real, post traumatic phobia, even if it's little.
Her own courage will help, but I wouldn't suggest ANYBODY do something they are not OK with. You might take her with you, and let her watch you guys get on the ice. Then give her the info (like the charts that show how much weight various ice thicknesses will hold), share your catch and your stories, and let HER decide when she's ok to venture out.
Good luck....I've lived and dealt with someone all my adult life who struggles with stuff like this, and it's pretty complicated at times.
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I had hesitations also my first time then I was told a phrase that really helped me out.
Thick and blue always true; thin and crispy way too risky.
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Wow those are all terrific ideas, thanks guys! I will take her to a lake with a snow layer--hopefully a relatively quiet one!--and drill holes to show her the ice thickness. And hopefully have some hot fishing [cool]
She really DOES want to go, she's just a bit nervous, so I won't have to talk her into it, just want her to have the knowledge to be less jittery.
Thanks to all of you, great thoughts!
Also going to show her the "what to do if you fall through the ice" video. Preparedness really helps with the nervousness aspect.
Thanks again, all!
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I was going to add something about preparedness to my thoughts but as I read my words, I could see where talking about rescue from frigid water may not be a good idea before the first time on the ice.
Your call on that one.
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That's a good point too. That video helped my teenage daughter be more at ease, but she was never really nervous about it in the first place. I think I'll just ask her if she'd like to see it.
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[quote Springbuck] Be careful. Phobias are real and getting her over it is NOT just a question of telling her not to be afraid, giving her information, or jolly-ing her into sucking it up.
Mere fear is different, but since childhood trauma is involved, I'm betting she has a real, post traumatic phobia, even if it's little.
. . .
Good luck....I've lived and dealt with someone all my adult life who struggles with stuff like this, and it's pretty complicated at times.[/quote]
You ain't kidding? My whole spouse's siblingry has a phone-phobia! Afraid to answer phones - in case they do it wrong! Dad was a tuff military fighter pilot, and he ran a tight ship! Always makes me chuckle, but then I get stuck making all the 'business' calls...
[center][:p][cool][cool] Um Lizrd - two words: cold snaps! [cool][cool][:p]
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Don't think it'll keep anyone from slipping on ice, but it might calm some nerves! I personally think the safety video is great - because it helps put you into the mindset that even if you DO go in - you (1) have lots of time (2) demonstrates you're not going to turn into an icecube - like always happens to the critters in the cartoons - right!
I knows it's a freaky concept, but it is good to understand the ice is a floating sheet - and it does flex/bounce. You see it as the water in your ice-hole rises/falls - especially if a wheeler passes by! But at 4+++" inches - it is not going to break open, even when there are stress cracks.
I was amazed - Rockport ice was dead quiet - even with ALL those people bouncing around. Almost the first snow-covered ice I've been on this season!
This guy sat in this hole for a very very long time - giving a safety demonstration. He had a special water-rescue suit on, but I think he was in there for almost an hour. Big crowd of folks all around too.
[inline "Seriously - safety.jpg"][/left]
