Well, it’s finally feeling more like December in the northeast with the nights dropping into the teens and 20′s and the daytime highs in the 30′s and 40′s. The ice has not formed yet, but soon we’ll start seeing those ice shacks along our rivers and lakes. Start planning for your next ice fishing adventure with some of the tips and ideas from Stu Bristol. Thank you to Stu Bristol for contributing this post. Visit his site for more tips and information at www.stubristol.com
The Joys of Ice Fishing
By Stu Bristol, Master Maine Guide
Why remain one of “those guys” that sits on the cold ice all day, waiting for those one or two trout or salmon to select your tiny minnow swimming sluggishly under the ice? Bring the whole family or friends, or both and head out for the land of many flags (tip-ups, that is).
Regardless of which state you winter fish, there is sure to be plenty of lakes and ponds that offer less finicky fish species such as bass, crappie, perch and more. Bring along a BBQ grill, some burgers and dogs or share freshly killed venison steaks. You can even munch out on fish fillets caught just moments before.
Drag out a fishing shelter or make one of your own design. The same tent you use for summer camping works very well on the ice. Either way, you’ll need to rig up ice anchors to keep the whole thing from sailing across the ice.
Even if you lone wolf the day, bring along a radio, a good book or any of the creature comforts that help you relax and get you mind off the bitter cold winds and ice cube hands.
Ice fishing, over the years has always been a sport enhanced by home-made innovations. A makeshift shelter can be fashioned by using three or four tent poles or sapling tied in tee pee fashion to ward off the winds. Isn’t it funny how a sheet of newsprint will stop a stiff, cold breeze?
Of course you’ll want something more substantial than newsprint but it doesn’t take much to ward off the cold. Most of the time our shelter isn’t even used on sunny calm days. It’s there for the family members who want more warmth or a quiet darkened place to play games on one of the modern cellphones or tablets.
There is no written rule that demands you sit diligently and watch for the tip-up flag to wave. Believe me, when a flag goes up just about anyone in sight will shout it out. There are even signals and buzzers that can be attached to tip-ups to signal a bite.
This just be my take on ice fishing but the day really needs to center around food. I let the others in the party run after the flags while I prepare comfort foods fit for any tailgate party.
Burgers and dogs are fine but why not pick up some skewers and make up a batch of ka-bobs? What you impale on those skewers is varied as your imagination. First choice, of course would be moose or venison steak alternately spaced with onions, peppers potatoes and more.
As for the cooking fire, I shy away from the propane grills due to the low pressure and cold temperatures. Many times the propane governor will freeze. Instead I bring along charcoal or just enough hardwood sticks to cook. Neither one will leave a mess on the ice and are biodegradable. Less weight to carry back to the truck, also, unless your sled it weighted down with giant fish.
Check the regulations and ask around where the best spots on the ice might be. You could just sit on shore for a few minutes and take notes of where other anglers have been setting up. By no means do I suggest that you crowd out the regulars but, during the weekdays, you could very well have the ice to yourself.
Safety is always a concern when ice fishing and I never leave the truck without an ice chisel. They are for sale at most sporting goods outlets that sell ice fishing gear but I made a couple by flattening out the end of a 6-foot length of ¾-inch electrical conduit and sharpening the flattened end. Be sure to wrap a few turns of hockey stick tape where you hold the chisel to keep it from slipping out of your grasp and into the water.
Test the ice every few yards, especially on warm days or late in the season. Many times the ice will be solid at daybreak but will give way by mid-morning or later in the day. Be especially cautious of places that may have current under the ice such as water between island, around the points of land, and the mouths of brooks or streams entering the pond or lake.
If you plan to be in the Worcester area February 10-11, I would be more than happy to offer more ice fishing tips. Check out the show schedule at www.sportshows.com and click on the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo, February 10-12, 2012. Comments and questions are always welcome at my website, www.stubristol.com or visit me on Facebook.
If you live in the North and are now looking at a cold snowy winter rather than continuing with warm days afield, you’re probably putting up your gun for the season. Unless you plan to continue to run your dog vigorously this winter, you need to consider changing how you feed your dog. Remember that Native Dog Food is the only high-performance premium dog food with a four level feeding system.
