Red River, Mi.- What was meant to be a fishing and beer weekend almost cost two fly fishermen their lives. Henry Cardham and Victor Chasney were out on their 12 foot boat on the red river, hoping to catch a few fish for their dinner. They fished in several spots before deciding to anchor beneath the Peace Bridge, a favorite spot for anglers. After 3 hours in the hot sun, and 45 beers later, Cardham cast his line, inadvertently snagging the suspension beam of the bridge. His extra strength test line was firmly caught and refused to release itself from the beam. Chasney urged him to pull with all his might, in order to free the tangled line, and Cardham did just that. With no warning, the line gave way, and the bridge began to creak and rumble. Cardham, who was in a state of shock tells the story - " I heard some loud noises, and when I turned around to ask Victor what he thought was happening, I saw him pulling the cord, frantically trying to start the motor... Next thing you know we were swimming for our lives !".

Authorities say that the fisherman must have hooked to a "weak" part of the structure - the Achilles heel of the 90 year old bridge. Although the two men are happy to be alive, they regret that their weekend was over. " That bridge shouldn't have been there if it was so weak....They should have taken it in for repair." says Cardham. Chasney has a different point of view - " I was sure we were on Candid Camera...".

Bridge officials have decided to bill the two fishermen for the damage. Says Harry Bennet, of the Red River Police Department - " These two jokers think they're off the hook. Wait till they tell their wives that their little drunken fishing trip cost 96 million bucks !

Catching  the "big" one...never had a chance to throw it back...

"All I wanted was to fish some more. I really screwed things up...Sorry. "
Henry Cardham
Fisherman

"I told him to pull. Next thing you know all hell broke loose, and I even lost my beer cooler".
Victor Chasney
Fisherman