12-17-2017, 03:07 AM
Excellent preparedness post!
I'm way into preparedness. Even on nice days that you won't need it, it's good practice for when you will and creating habits of having all the equipment ready with speed developed in using it. That way when it's needed for more than just fun and fishing and used to solve what would otherwise be a bad situation, you are prepared with skills and equipment.
When our ice fishing tournament participants at Fish Lake got their equipment blown across the lake with sudden strong wind, it made my decision to buy plenty of premium ice anchors very clearly a good choice. My tent is a five sided tent, so that's 5 corners and 5 guy ropes, so that's ten anchors, but I also have plenty of spares. I figure the strain on each tie point of the tent is less by using all tie points because that way the load is distributed and not concentrated on ones that will tear out and rip fabric when there is a sudden strong gust.
To make installation easy without a drill, I selected the type that is essentially the same as ice climbing screws. They quickly and easily screw in with one hand and are much more solid than the thin screws.
I use paracord instead of the straps, but I'm very quick with knots that do exactly what I want. For quick adjustment, I use the taught line hitch which can give it full tension and still release when desired as quick as a strap with releases.
It cuts down on the bulk and weight and same with the ice anchors as they are made of a high strength lightweight alloy.
I also carry two ice screws with 100 feet of 1100 paracord on me when ice fishing should I need to help anyone that falls through weak ice. With the rope anchored at both ends, the rope can span the area of weak ice. Have some prepared short pieces of paracord to tie on with taught line hitches. They will easily slide one way on the taught cord and not the other way, so it can be used to pull yourself out even hauling out others and the ice anchor will hold fast.
Though I often practice with small packs, I go heavy with lots of food, water, extra clothing and all it takes for rescues. It might never be needed, but it's good practice. Besides, I like ice fishing to be social and often offer food and drink to friends and others I meet fishing.
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I'm way into preparedness. Even on nice days that you won't need it, it's good practice for when you will and creating habits of having all the equipment ready with speed developed in using it. That way when it's needed for more than just fun and fishing and used to solve what would otherwise be a bad situation, you are prepared with skills and equipment.
When our ice fishing tournament participants at Fish Lake got their equipment blown across the lake with sudden strong wind, it made my decision to buy plenty of premium ice anchors very clearly a good choice. My tent is a five sided tent, so that's 5 corners and 5 guy ropes, so that's ten anchors, but I also have plenty of spares. I figure the strain on each tie point of the tent is less by using all tie points because that way the load is distributed and not concentrated on ones that will tear out and rip fabric when there is a sudden strong gust.
To make installation easy without a drill, I selected the type that is essentially the same as ice climbing screws. They quickly and easily screw in with one hand and are much more solid than the thin screws.
I use paracord instead of the straps, but I'm very quick with knots that do exactly what I want. For quick adjustment, I use the taught line hitch which can give it full tension and still release when desired as quick as a strap with releases.
It cuts down on the bulk and weight and same with the ice anchors as they are made of a high strength lightweight alloy.
I also carry two ice screws with 100 feet of 1100 paracord on me when ice fishing should I need to help anyone that falls through weak ice. With the rope anchored at both ends, the rope can span the area of weak ice. Have some prepared short pieces of paracord to tie on with taught line hitches. They will easily slide one way on the taught cord and not the other way, so it can be used to pull yourself out even hauling out others and the ice anchor will hold fast.
Though I often practice with small packs, I go heavy with lots of food, water, extra clothing and all it takes for rescues. It might never be needed, but it's good practice. Besides, I like ice fishing to be social and often offer food and drink to friends and others I meet fishing.
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