Ice Fishing, The Cold Alternative
A
seasoned angler knows
all about reels and
rods, casting, fish
behavior and the best
places to go to relax or
haul in a monster.
Interestingly, many of
those have never even
attempted one of the
more enjoyable
variations on the
ancient art: Ice
Fishing.
Yet, ice fishing has
many attractions that
can't be equaled by the
ordinary sort. There are
fewer anglers nearby.
There are fewer insects
around. And some people
just aren't crazy about
hot weather, preferring
the crisp, healthy air
of winter. Even if you
enjoy warmer weather
too, it's great to be
able to fish more
seasons in the year.
Winter fishing produces
25% of the annual catch
in Wisconsin.
But ice fishing has its
own unique requirements.
Different gear is
needed, added safety
precautions to consider,
clothing add-ons and a
few new techniques to
learn.
Ice doesn't freeze to a
uniform thickness on
lakes. The speed,
temperature and source
of water currents from
rivers that feed some
lakes can cause
variations. Snow cover
on the surface can
affect the stability of
ice. Air currents can
cause erosion of the
surface. All those
factors, and many more,
can lead to cracks and
ultimately a disaster.
Though it's surprising
that anyone should even
have to be warned, never
park a camper or other
vehicle
on the ice. More than
once the stress has been
enough to open a hole in
what looked like several
inches of rock hard
frozen water.
Use an ice auger or spud
- an ice chisel on a
pole - to make your hole
and it can do
double-duty to test the
ice as you walk out. Be
sure to secure it to
your hand with a strap,
though. If it slips out
of your hand, you won't
be able to recover it.
Keep the hole to no more
than 12 inches (30.5
cm), to keep the ice
near where you stand or
sit as solid and stable
as possible. That also
helps prevent you
falling all the way
through in an accident.
There are several other
useful items you'll want
to bring, as well. A
bucket with minnows
makes for a great live
bait container. You'll
want a small-mesh net in
order to pull a minnow
out of the bucket, in
order to keep your hands
out of chilly water.
You'll undoubtedly want
something to sit on
while you wait for them
to grab your line. A
gaff hook to haul those
hefty prizes out of the
water will come in
handy, too. A hook
disgorger makes life
easier, to help you get
the hook out of the
fish's mouth without
removing your gloves.
Be sure to wear lots of
layers, with wool in the
outer layers. Wool is a
great insulator and it
retains that ability
even when wet.
Most of all, use your
head at all times. If
you use the proper gear
and follow common sense
safety guidelines, ice
fishing is safe, easy
and fun. But winding up
in the water is
everyone's worst fishing
story. Better to tell
about the sea monster
you caught while
catching up on a good
novel. |
