Most anglers expect to pull up a northern pike or a stray piece of old fishing line. One man fishing off the waterfront in Selkirk, Manitoba, got a much bigger surprise when he reeled in an old military hand grenade instead.
Selkirk RCMP received a panicked call around 3:05 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon after the angler realized what was hooked to his line. Instead of a fish, a rusted military relic sat on the shore. Police immediately secured the area, bringing in specialized backup to handle the unexpected threat.
What the Authorities Found at the Scene
When an object like this surfaces, local police don't take chances. The Manitoba RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit rushed to the scene alongside members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Specifically, personnel from 17 Wing's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight stepped in to examine the object.
They quickly identified it as a training grenade dating back to the 1950s. Even though it lacked a safety pin, experts determined it was safe enough to transport for proper disposal.
Training grenades from that era are often inert, but you can't tell that by looking at a rusted shell on a riverbank. Decades underwater coat these objects in silt and corrosion, hiding serial numbers, markings, and structural integrity.
Why Old Military Gear Keeps Turning Up in Rivers
Waterways near historic training grounds or military bases frequently trap lost gear. The Red River, sitting about 34 kilometers north of Winnipeg, has seen its share of unusual finds over the decades. Heavy currents shift riverbeds, uncovering items that have stayed buried in the mud for seventy years.
Magnet fishing and regular angling routinely unearth old munitions across North America. People discard things improperly, or military exercises from mid-century training programs simply left objects behind.
What to Do If You Hook Something Dangerous
If you ever pull a suspicious metal object out of the water, your first instinct might be to inspect it or bring it closer. That is a dangerous mistake.
The Manitoba RCMP issued a strict reminder following the Selkirk incident:
- Never touch, move, or disturb an object that looks like an explosive device.
- Leave the area immediately and head to a safe distance.
- Contact local police right away so bomb disposal experts can take over.
An old training grenade might be stable, but live ordnance looks identical to the untrained eye. Treat every unknown metallic cylinder or military-style object as live until bomb technicians say otherwise. Pack up your gear, step back, and let the professionals handle it.
