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Out For Hard Water Fishing
Cam Costello (josephs prairie)
gives some ice fishing tips for those lucky enough to live near
hard water.
It's that time of year again where us diehard's start thinking
about what we are going to need this winter when we're out on the
ice. It starts when the temperature drops at night, the days are
cooler and the leaves
change color. Some of us go over our gear and make repairs or adjustments,
maybe buy or make something that we thought of at the end of last
season. There is always something new out on the market, and of
course we want it!
I for one have gotten a new wood
stove to replace the old camp stove model #225 which has not
been made in quite some years. So the chance of finding replacement
parts is close to nil. Some people use propane heaters, but up here
in the great
white north we use mostly wood. Propane is good, but it can
also be expensive. I am also planning on going over my rods, its
time to change the line and clean and lightly lube the reel. I use
"Berkley Ice Line" it comes in different weights and stays
limp in cold weather. I use 8# test for trout and 12# test for ling.
Try to find a light weight lube for your reel because the thicker
lubes will stiffen and make reeling difficult.
When it comes to dressing for ice fishing, always check to see
what the temperature
is going to be for the day. And dress
extra warm and in layers, because you can always take clothes
off. There are plenty of quality clothes out there to keep you warm,
but boots are one of the biggest necessities when ice fishing. Boots
should have some waterproofing and should be able to keep your feet
warm while standing. I have tried many brands and found that Sorels
in the -100'C are the best, they are good to -50'C standing still.
Which is what you want because if the fish aren't biting your going
to be standing around.
Now is the time to check your tackle; depending on what you fish
for now is a great time to buy your tackle for ice fishing season
because a lot of the department stores sell off their fishing stock
cheap to make room for other winter items. Most tackle shops will
have sales for the upcoming ice fishing season as well.
When was the last time you had your ice
auger sharpened? Remember last year when you had to use two
people on the auger to cut through the ice? Well now's the time
to get it done, but make sure you have it done properly. Don't go
out to the garage and hit it with the grinder. Most newer augers
are precision tools, take them to someone who knows the proper way
to sharpen them or buy new blades. I have the NorMark Swede Bore
III hand ice drill. It cuts ice like butter. For you power auger
users, check out the engine and do a tune up to make sure it won't
fail you on the ice.
Don't forget to get some bait! I fish for mostly trout so I like
to use worms, maggots, mealworms, wood worms, and corn. I don't
use them all together, but sometimes a mix of two: maggots and mealworms,
or corn and maggots. I use raw squid when I fish for Burbot
(ling cod). I am not a fan of those little marshmallow things, they
just don't look like something a fish would normally eat. We can't
use any fin fish in my region, so I suggest checking your regulations
before heading out, it is always a good idea to know what is allowed.
Now it's time to talk about the extra's: the stuff that will make
your day out on the ice more enjoyable. I have a wooden sled made
from a sheet of ply wood (approximately 40" x 60") with
2' x 4' sides, an old pair of downhill
ski's on legs as sliders to keep it from dragging in the snow,
a storage box on one end for gear, and the wood stove at the other
end. My buddy and I get a pot
of coffee going as soon as we have our lines wet and the fire
going. We bring our own wood and kindling, usually already split,
so we don't scare off the fish splitting wood on site. We bring
our chairs, coffee cups, grill, rod holders, scale, fish finder,
lunch to cook on the fire, and some drinks - all to keep us comfortable
while on the ice. Some people have pop-up fish huts which are nice
if it is windy.
Ice fishing is a big deal around here, it's very social and entertaining.
With the right gear and a little knowledge, it is great fun. So
before heading out make sure you have everything you need to be
comfortable, and check your regulations, it is always a good idea
to know the law.
P.S. Don't forget the camera!
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