Hey All.....Just to let everyone know the water is cold under that ice.I know from personal contact as I was swimming yesterday off of the park in Alcona.There were a few guys out the day before ,so I called ice-fisherman and we made arragements to meet and head out yesterday,After walking to a few different spots and spudding as I walked,not finding any soft spots or nothing under 4",we continued to search.Not until after 2P.M.,we decided to give it up and head for shore.Not till then did we even hear a crack from the ice all morning and when it cracked Emil stopped and I took 2 more steps and kerplunk,I was swimming.Looking back,I'm not even sure I thought about it,but swinging my arms,broke ice 3 times and when it didn't break again,up with the hips and rollin',up on my knees and looked back at the hole......Emil noticed that my pail was sinking,so with one of his rods,I retrived my pail,with my rods.We then headed for shore that was 1/2 a klik away....All in all was a re-assurance that I do know what to do ,and do it without thinking,All that was lost was my spud bar,and even my Blackberry turned on this mornin',which is a good thing.....It's -10 here today and it'll be making ice.Please just remeber that it may look good ,but there will always be soft spots and I found one yesterday....TC and tight lines all.....Chuck...