I was at the same little 14 acre local lake I frequent multiple times a week. The bite was slow, but that's typical. A few bass in between the fry-size sunfish to keep me motivated. The weather was beautiful. 50⁰ and sunny on 8" of waning ice. The edges are getting soft and open water is visible in places.
Three middle aged Hispanic men approached me. I was only 20' from the bank where they remained for the time being. One spoke great English. He made quick small talk before informing me they were there on a mission. None of them had experienced an iced over lake and they wanted assistance with saftey precautions before walking on it. The melting edges made them understandably apprehensive. A bit of explaining and they were on the ice taking selfies in no time!
Later, I noticed 5 teenage boys raising hell on the ice on the opposite side of the lake. I couldn't tell what they were up to from a distance. Eventually, they made their way to me when I noticed the pick axe and hatchet they were using to open the ice. They'd previously been fishing a mud flat in 2' of water none of them getting so much as a bite. I had at least a dozen holes open that day. I pointed them to the most productive spots and told them to have at it. In no time, they were raising even more hell with the fish they were catching.
I quietly packed up my stuff and left before my constant smile made things awkward. The world is only as dark as you allow it to be. One day on the ice might be all it takes to restore the joy lost in all that's going on around us.
Posted by Overman365