1975-present – Avid and experienced ice angler. Ice fish throughout the winter at various locations under a variety of ice conditions from start of season to end.
1980-1981- Worked at a fishing resort north of North Bay Ontario. Helped operate major Ice hut operation in winter
1988- 2008: Taught Ice Fishing Courses: Teach general ice fishing courses at Seneca College through their Continuing Education Program. 1990 Also began teaching more Advanced Level ice fishing courses. Both courses have major safety component tied in and include instruction in: Ice safety fundamentals, reading ice conditions, prevention, getting out if you go in, safety equipment and so on
1992: Member of Team Canada at the World Ice Fishing Championships
1993-Present Compete in Canadian Ice Fishing Championships
2006: As part of regular duties with full time employer (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) completed “On Ice Safety Training Course.” This included theoretical material as well as ice rescue simulations, ice safety equipment, and extracting yourself from a hole in the ice.
2008- Red Cross Standard First Aid/CPR
1993-2003: Part time ice fishing guide on Lake Simcoe
2002: Appeared on the VR TV News for a segment on ice safety and ice fishing conditions on Lake Simcoe
2005, 2006 and 2007: Each winter have been guest on one of Bob Izumi’s Ice Fishing TV Shows
2005-2006 Mazda - Ontario out of Doors magazine Ice Tour – hosted ice fishing seminars from Sudbury in the north to Toronto in the south, west to Hamilton and east to Ottawa. Each seminar included a major portion on ice safety, prevention, extraction from hole etc.
2006: First place finish at Canadian Super Trap Attack.
2007-2010: Focus On Fishing Ice Fishing Tour. Same as Mazda Ice Tour however I branched out on my own – increasing ice fishing safety focus. In 2010 I provided five ice fishing seminars at the Spring Fishing and Boat Show, a Barrie tackle shop and Bass Pro Shops.
March 2005: Ice Safety Consultant for Four Brothers Movie
In early 2005 the site selection crew for the company producing this movie required someone with local knowledge to determine best/safest sites for filming several on ice scenes. With a simple Google search, someone with the company read about my extensive ice fishing experience and also realized I was a strong proponent of teaching ice safety fundamentals. I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in helping to select a location for the on-ice scenes of this feature movie and also to assist with overall ice safety components involved with filming the on ice scenes.
Four Brothers was my first experience working as an ice safety consultant for the movies and I have completed two other films since. All have been interesting and worthwhile experiences.
This project began with site selection duties based on ice quality at Lake Simcoe. Several on-ice monitoring trips prior to filming were made. This work included drilling numerous holes, recording overall ice thickness levels, differentiating between white/blue ice levels, ice conditions, evaluating potential hazards, offering suggested solutions etc.
Each scouting trip was followed up with a detailed report. During actual filming I began each day by hosting a brief run-down on ice safety fundamentals for crew and cast. Many had never walked on frozen water before and this involved offering them a level of assurance as well as pointing out potential hazards. I would monitor ice conditions before crew arrived each day to help ensure safety.
When chase scenes with vehicles were to occur I would first travel entire route ascertaining ice conditions along the way, then reporting back. On occasion, based upon my recommendations to the director, the crew would alter original routes desired for prescribed chase scenes because of unsafe ice conditions unbeknownst to them prior to my safety check. One day, heavy rains, winds and extremely warm weather overnight had high potential for unsafe conditions and I insisted filming at permanent set on ice was unwise that day (lots of heavy equipment, vehicles on ice, etc). Filming that day was done on beach instead. The following night a cold front came and the next day safe filming on ice began again. Entire movie was filmed without one ice safety incident or mishap.
On Ice productions of Four Brothers
This movie starring Mark Walberg was quite successful at the box office.
Work for this new TV series began with several sight visits to different areas of Georgian Bay to evaluate ice conditions. Once a site was chosen ... I made several more visits prior to filming to evaluate and monitor ice conditions. Ice holes were drilled, thickness and ice type was recorded, photos were taken and complete reports were created and sent to producers as a high quality pdf’s. Local weather forecasts were monitored in relation to ice conditions and included in this report.
Above – crew of Happy Town prepares for infamous ice hut murder scene.
As well as determining adequate ice thickness and integrity, I was able to locate best locations for on-ice ramps to facilitate heavy traffic expected for this production On ice safety during the shoot including everything from briefing cast and crew about ice safety to regular testing of ice. Despite some challenges with weather, everyone involved with the production remained safe and no mishaps occurred. Happy Town stars Steven Weber (Wings, Brothers & Sisters) and will premier on ABC beginning April 28 2010.
Ice safety consultant for feature length movie called Red – with Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis. Although the ice scenes I was responsible for were at a small backyard pond in Mississauga, the location brought interesting challenges – not generally encountered at larger waterbodies like Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay (part of Lake Huron). This was filmed early in the winter so ice was not as thick as during filming of the other two movies.
Ice was tested and although it was just 5-6 inches, the integrity of the ice itself was excellent and we were able to proceed. Some scenes called for several cast and crew to congregate in small sections of the pond which did could have created safety challenges however they were managed effectively to minimize risk. Everyone involved with the production remained safe and no mishaps occurred.
Above: The Pond used to film on ice scenes like the one below for the movie “Red”
From 1987 to present I have written numerous articles that have been published in magazines, newspapers, books and on line about ice fishing and ice safety. As a former ice fishing guide and still a very avid ice angler I have faced almost every kind of ice condition available in south central Ontario. I have fallen thru under controlled circumstances and can confidently pull myself out and can assist others who have as well.
This firsthand experience was extremely helpful in rescuing two ice anglers during my career so far. Both had fallen through unexpectedly and were in peril however were safely rescued because my ice fishing partner and I stayed calm, were trained and were able to put our knowledge to practical use.
I have been able to acquire an excellent understanding of ice safety knowledge from both practical experience and extensive research on the topic. With over three decades of first hand ice safety experience augmented with formal training I continue to stay current on the latest ice safety trends. I have used these experiences to try and teach others about ice safety fundamentals that are based primarily on prevention ... so that all those who chose to work, play or even just walk on hard water can do so safely.
An example of my ice safety articles can be found here:
http://www.fishonlineca.com/Ice-Fishing/General-Ice-Fishing/ice-safety.html
Thank You:
Wil Wegman
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