On Saturday, January 26, 2013, our friend and The Next Bite contributor Jim Hudson died in a tragic ice fishing accident on Lake Superior near his home in Bayfield, WI. While scouting new fishing areas for his ice fishing clients, Jim’s snowmobile broke through thin ice. Rescue crews, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the scene and after being in the water about 30 minutes, the Madeline Island wind sled reported that they had pulled Hudson from the lake. Jim was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Ashland and then airlifted to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, where he was pronounced dead.

On Saturday, January 26, 2013, our friend and The Next Bite contributor Jim Hudson died in a tragic ice fishing accident on Lake Superior near his home in Bayfield, WI. While scouting new fishing areas for his ice fishing clients, Jim’s snowmobile broke through thin ice. Rescue crews, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the scene and after being in the water about 30 minutes, the Madeline Island wind sled reported that they had pulled Hudson from the lake. Jim was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Ashland and then airlifted to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, where he was pronounced dead.

Those are the facts of his death, as we know them. But its the facts of Jim’s life that will stay with us forever. Jim was an integral member of The Next Bite family. More than simply contributing articles and tips to our website or appearing on The Next Bite TV show, Jim brought an energetic spirit to our community that will be greatly missed. Jim loved to fish, and it showed. Anyone that shared a boat, a spot on the ice or even a sport show booth with Jim quickly realized that this “baby-faced” young man was always smiling and constantly sharing his vast knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport of angling. This was a young man blessed with the energy and enlightenment that comes from someone that lives a life they were meant to live.

If Jim’s love for fishing was obvious, the only thing that was more obvious was his love for his wife Hannah. As much as TNB will miss Jim, it can not begin to match the loss Hannah must endure now, and for that all of us offer our heart-felt sympathies.

Jim’s death reminds us that while those of us that live to enjoy the outdoors do what we do because we love being outside and enjoying all that nature has to give us, it also comes with some inherent dangers. A day of fun can turn into a day of tragedy in a split second.

It’s often said that in tragedy springs benefit. If there is to be any benefit from Jim’s passing, let it be that all of us are a little more careful as we pursue our passions, and remind us to never take life and love for granted.

Bite On Jim. We’ll miss you.

 

 

 

 

Gary Parsons’ Tribute to Jim : My Friend Jim Hudson