Ice fishing is carried out on a frozen body of water. Lines and spears are part of the ice fishing gear together with other tools meant to break the hard surface and cut a hole for uniform access to the unfrozen depths underneath. The sitting position is preferred for ice fishing too, as the fishermen can stay either on special stools or directly on the ice. For some, ice fishing is all the more enjoyable as they have built real sheds or cabins around the ice openings, bringing the comfort of a bunk bed with them.

Ice Fishing is considered a popular and even necessary activity in the cold areas on our globe. Latvia, Norway, Finland, Germany, Russia, Estonia and other Northern countries have given ice fishing the rank of favorite pastime as it has long ceased to earn one’s living now. The Northern states and regions of the American continent where ice fishing still flourishes are Canada, Alaska, Colorado, Michigan and so on.

As for the type of fishing gear used for ice fishing, technologies now allow the use of more complex methods with superior results. A fishing line or a spear would surely prove worthless for this type of activity in the absence of a chisel or an ice saw to start things with. Remember that the ice break through is the one to come first. But despite the hole the freezing process is unstoppable, therefore most fishermen also carry a skimmer to remove that newly formed layer of ice. Most people also bring heaters along, not just to prevent ice formation but also to preserve a level of personal comfort too. That is why wooden huts or cabins which retain the heat indoors are held in high esteem by ice fishing fans.

Ice fishing is based on three different methods, each with its specifically designed tools. First, you can use small-sized rods with colorful little lures or baits. The second makes use of tip-ups that are a great means of catching fish in large quantities within a certain period of time. And last, there’s spear ice fishing for which you need a larger hole and fish decoys.

Whichever the choice from the three methods, things with ice fishing will never be like in the all days. It appears that today, sonars make fish detection piece of cake. Presently fishermen will make about 100 holes per day if they wished to catch large amounts of fish, very much unlike our ancestors who had to wait by the hole for the fish to come to them.

Tagged with: •

Filed under: Fishing on the fly • fly fishing • fly fishing rods

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!