"Safety is Number One Priority"

-
Early Ice - Ice Fishing Safety

As the ice begins to form, anglers across the country often prepare their equipment and set their expectation of when they will be able to go fishing far before the ice is even remotely safe, in this way, they not only risk loosing a equipment, but also risk loosing something that is far more valuable - their life. Here are some of the necessary equipment for early ice safety:


An ice spud - using an ice spud to test ice thickness is important to staying out of the water during early ice. Basic ice spuds can be bought for under $50, and are very important for all levels of ice anglers. Furthermore, they replace the need for hefting a large auger during the early season, for they are efficient hole makers, when the ice is under five inches thick. It is important to note that ice conditions can change drastically depending on where in the lake you are located, as well as weather conditions while you are fishing.
(https://www.fishusa.com/product/Eskimo-Economy-Redneck-Chisel)


An Ice Pick - an under $10 item, this is the most important, and only tool besides your God-given arms and legs - that can be used once you, God Forbid, fall through the ice. Ice is always slippery, so a set of ice picks around your neck can help one 'pick' their way out of a nasty predicament. Furthermore, a set of quality ice picks, (i.e. a set from Frabill) is paramount to ice safety both early and late ice.
(https://www.fishusa.com/product/Frabill-Ice-Picks)


Rope - Just buy it- preferably a shorter rope - ten or so feet - so it is easier to handle and work with.

Life Jacket - if you are insistent on going out on thin or unsafe ice <3 inches, then wear a life jacket; make sure that you avoid 'wet spots' on the ice, where water is on top of the ice; standing water on top of ice greatly decreases its strength.




Although Ice fishing is an enjoyable sport, it requires careful consideration of the weather and knowledge of the waterbody to ensure a safe trip.

- Paul 12.28.2017

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on Conservation and Harvesting the Fish we Catch

-
The amount of fishing that goes on in this world is unprecedented due to the aggressive increase in human population. A report by the World Wildlife Fund in 2015 found that nearly half the marine life was lost in the last 40 years. Our impact on the world's wildlife population is both depressing and urgent. We must radically change the way we conduct the business of harvesting fish recreationally. In my opinion, if an individual is not relying on fishing to put food on their table, one should not be harvesting fish from the ocean recreationally. We cannot rationalize our decisions. We can't say that one fish won't make a difference because that is the same exact thinking that got into this situation. What I can only hope from my fellow anglers is to reconsider if they really need to eat the fish they caught, or if they could release it back into the waters in which it belongs. Think of your refrigerator and pantry at home, does it have enough food for you to eat, or do you...
Read more

F is for futile...

-
Fishing is hard- no matter the season, the weather, or the time of day- fishing is possibly the most frustrating pastime known to man. Despite having top tier gear and equipment, as well as a focused and calmed mind, fishing presents unique and difficult challenges that the common man can not endure. Fishing shapes a mind and reinforces humility through countless skunked outing, and patience through long hours spent on the water. Although fishing has not always been fruitful, it is without a doubt my favorite pastime past summers, winters, and autumns. This fall, however, was a unique exception. This fall, the spot I have fished in years past has been over-run by other fisherman. So much so, that the fishing has become a standstill, and discarded braid and trash abound. I know I shouldn't complain, for I have been provided a beautiful slice of wilderness. This past weekend, I reached the water and cast out my line at about 5:00a.m.; this was about the earliest I had ever fished...
Read more

Tungsten Fly #2

-
Image
(Continuation from "The Tungsten Fly") The last article was on the VMC Tungsten Fly, but many different ice fishing tackle manufacturers make tungsten fly lures. For example, Northland makes a tungsten fly lure called the Northland Tungsten Larva Fly Jig. This lure is different than the VMC Tungsten Fly jig because it was designed to have a vertical presentation rather a horizontal presentation. Although a very disputed topic within the ice fishing community, personally, I feel that vertical jigs are better suited for picky fish. A very small sized Tungsten Fly Jig will have a slow descent rate due to the buoyancy of the hair. In this way, a Northland Tungsten Fly Jig in a very small size would be my lure of choice to catch finicky, shallow water bluegill and crappie. The Northland jig is also available in much smaller sizes - to as small as 1/100th Oz. - and is available in many different colors that better replicate natural forage. My preferred color for the Northland j...
Read more