A sad lesson on Lake Michigan's awesome power

During my service years, I was often told by the old salts who had been around for decades that when storms came up on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, there was nothing in the world that could compare to the horrific conditions they produced.

And then when I started to fish Lake Michigan, I would learn that the idyllic setting on this massive inland body of water could be just as wild.

That proved to be the case on June 6, 2009 when photo guru Mike Seeling joined members of Chi-Town Anglers to fish in a salmon tournament.

Seeling, now retired from the daily journalism business but still a photo ace, continues to join me on our various outdoors adventures. It turns out I was busy for this one and couldn't join him.

Mike was paired up with Jason, who ran a 21-foot Trophy, a cuddy cabin outboard rig. They launched at Waukegan Harbor knowing that the weather service had predicted 3-foot waves on the open water.

As Seeling related, "We were out about 11/2 miles, with other boats around us. The water depth was about 85 feet. We had two drift socks out so as to slow our trolling speed to a crawl. And then we started to get slapped around by waves that seemed to come out of nowhere."

As Mike shared the details with me, I remembered that he and I had been on the big lake many times in his 19-foot fishing boat, often riding waves over 6 feet in height and feeling safe every moment.

But conditions changed for Seeling and Jason and Mike's 31/2-year-old Chesapeake Bay female retriever Ally. Seeling often took his dog with on on trips to Lake Geneva and the Chain.

"A good-sized wave suddenly came over the stern of the boat," said Seeling, "causing the back end to swamp. At about the same time I was thrown into the water as the stern went under. And then another wave crashed into the boat, causing it to go 'turtle' (flipping over). I was clinging to a side rail while in the frigid water while Jason was calling mayday on the marine radio. The boat was going down fast so Jason tried to grab Ally, who by this time had made her way into the cabin. He failed to retrieve her as the boat plunged beneath the surface."

Seeling and Jason plus two others were hauled from the bone-chilling water by another tournament boat and taken to shore, where paramedics treated the pair for exposure and possible hypothermia.

Minutes later my telephone rang and the instant I heard Seeling's voice I knew something terrible was wrong.

"I lost Ally just now on the big lake," Mike cried, barely able to talk. "My beautiful pal went down with the boat and I couldn't save her."

There was nothing I could say that would make any difference.

Ally and I got along marvelously. She had a new home with Mike after being discovered in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina. Sometimes "rescue dogs" don't get a second chance, but Seeling and Ally became instantly as close as two peas in a pod.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are usually known for their excellent ability to swim long distances. Their coats are thick and able to shield the dog from the elements. Unfortunately Ally never got the chance to try and survive and live on to share the home front with Seeling.

Once the shock had worn off, Mike felt he needed another friend so he went to a "Chessie" breeder and acquired a pup named Trexx.

Every time I call Seeling's house Trexx starts barking and continues for a minute or so. I guess Trexx knows my voice, too.

Get out and cure the fever

Unless you're one of the proud few who enjoy ice fishing and walking across a frozen body of water, you're probably grappling with with a winter disease known to cause grown men to cry and complain to anyone willing to listen.

It's called boredom - or if you prefer, cabin fever.

But if you want to catch fish and have a good time, check your bag of blues at the door and head out to some of our local lakes. For example:

Fox Chain: There's a very good chance you can find big bluegills on Channel Lake as well as Pistakee Lake. Try 6-8 feet right over weed pockets. With ice conditions improving every day, take your walleye rigs with you and try 12-foot depths on Lake Marie and 12-17 feet on Petite Lake. Petite usually comes alive at sunset.

Lake Michigan: You may have to pick your way through some chunks of ice at Navy Pier, but it could be worth your time for perch. Racine and Waukegan Harbors are giving up some nice brown trout.

Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler88@att.net, and you can catch his radio program 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.