11-25-2003, 10:49 PM
[cool][size 2]Hey, Nate, you are a testament to the old saying that variety is the spice of life. Look at all the new horizons you have seen in the last year or so. Why not add more ice fishing to your repertoire? [/size]
[size 2]When I lived in the chilly zone, I always had mixed feelings this time of year. It was difficult to give up the often great tubing just before iceup (me as well as the water). But, the special enjoys of ice fishing more than offset the loss of floatation. Each has it's own charms. [/size]
[size 2]I think that if you are able to hook up with some accomplished hard water fans, you will quickly pick up the basics and acquire a liking for the sport. Of course, like all kinds of fishing, it is more fun if you catch something. But, pay attention to those who would help you. Take my word for it, casting a fly at a hole in the ice is not ice fishing.[/size]
[size 2]I have had several late season trips in which I had to rock my craft against skim ice to break my way out to open water. But, I gave up on the idea of drilling/sawing a big enough hole to set my craft into when the lake was completely covered. That's the time to put away the tube and take up the auger.[/size]
[size 2]On the other hand, it ain't a bad idea to use an old tube to tow along as a combination sled for your gear and a safety ring in case of someone going through the thin ice of the early season. I have even towed a covered float tube out...using the pockets for storage and stuffing a box in the center for other goodies. If you have rod racks, so much the better.[/size]
[size 2]Break out some of those bait bugs and drop them down with a piece of worm or waxworm. If you find a school of willing biters, you will quickly become a hard water fan. There's just something about it. And, then when winter gets old, and the ice starts to break up, you can kiss and make up with your pontoon again.[/size]
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[size 2]When I lived in the chilly zone, I always had mixed feelings this time of year. It was difficult to give up the often great tubing just before iceup (me as well as the water). But, the special enjoys of ice fishing more than offset the loss of floatation. Each has it's own charms. [/size]
[size 2]I think that if you are able to hook up with some accomplished hard water fans, you will quickly pick up the basics and acquire a liking for the sport. Of course, like all kinds of fishing, it is more fun if you catch something. But, pay attention to those who would help you. Take my word for it, casting a fly at a hole in the ice is not ice fishing.[/size]
[size 2]I have had several late season trips in which I had to rock my craft against skim ice to break my way out to open water. But, I gave up on the idea of drilling/sawing a big enough hole to set my craft into when the lake was completely covered. That's the time to put away the tube and take up the auger.[/size]
[size 2]On the other hand, it ain't a bad idea to use an old tube to tow along as a combination sled for your gear and a safety ring in case of someone going through the thin ice of the early season. I have even towed a covered float tube out...using the pockets for storage and stuffing a box in the center for other goodies. If you have rod racks, so much the better.[/size]
[size 2]Break out some of those bait bugs and drop them down with a piece of worm or waxworm. If you find a school of willing biters, you will quickly become a hard water fan. There's just something about it. And, then when winter gets old, and the ice starts to break up, you can kiss and make up with your pontoon again.[/size]
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