Anyone for some ice? No not in your drink, fishing that is! I have put away the fly vest and my favorite summer shorts for another year. This is a time where I almost shed a tear or two because I know open water fishing has ended here in Alberta. I will now have to dig out those winter boots that have been collecting dust and try and find the winter parka that is hiding somewhere or other. We now trade our spinning and fly gear for those plastic contraptions called tip-ups. Here in a province where winter makes up almost half our fishing season, we need to prepare for the ice relatively early compared to some states and provinces. Preparation is a word I have become all too familiar with after painful days of cold hands, and cold feet for hours on end.
What does a guy/girl really need when venturing out onto an ice covered lake? Here are some of the things I take with me when I decide to scratch that fishing itch. Let’s assume that we are going to be driving right onto the lake and parking within ten yards of the hole we are going to drill.
The Clothing
Clothing will be the most important part of your list as we all want to keep warm and dry as we venture out for a day on the ice. Gloves made of neoprene or polar fleece will be essential to keep your hands warm while jigging or while pulling up your trophy from the depths of the lake. Keeping your hands warm and dry will keep you from packing up and going home early. Headgear that covers the whole head, face and skin is what I prefer to use. Material made with acrylic and Dacron which is designed to keep your skin dry and comfortable is what I use when ice fishing. Proper underwear is highly recommended such as long johns and long-sleeved t-shirts. I use a full snowsuit when ice fishing, snowsuits are fairly cheep and provide maximum protection against the cold and wind. Boots that are lined with heavy duty lining will work best, look for boots that are rated for below -20 Degrees C. Remember you are standing on a sheet of ice and your feet will suffer if you do not have adequate footwear.
The Tackle
Ice fishing is quite different than fishing on the open water and therefore requires a different fishing rod. I know people have a hard time parting with money but these rods are quite inexpensive and they best suit your fishing situation. How many anglers have you seen using that old multi species fishing rod that they have owned since the early eighties? Although these rods may still catch fish, you are at a disadvantage with regards to sensitivity, action and responsiveness. The new rods made from high quality graphite will outperform that old beast any day. Ice fishing is exactly like freshwater fishing where a fisherman needs to have different rod’s and reels for different fishing species and different applications. Line will also need to be considered as the monofilament from the summer will not cut it out in the freezing cold. There are specialty lines available that are designed for cold weather fishing. These new lines maintain their suppleness in severe cold and will not coil up as badly as regular mono will come winter.
The Gadgets
There is a plethora of neat gadgets that you can purchase to keep you comfortable and warm while out in the cold. The outdoor industry is full of useful gadgets to keep us warm and comfortable, when it's cold outside. Here are some additions for you to add to your outdoor arsenal. There are so many gadgets I may miss something here, so feel free to add your favorites by posting a comment.
Heated socks might seem like a gimmick, but these wired tubes can help keep your feet toasty and warm in cold weather temperatures. They are particularly handy when out for long-periods with little movement, and can be turned on whenever feet start to get cold.
Like heated socks, air-activated heat packs like hot shots are a lightweight accessory that can be utilized to keep hands and feet warm when standing or sitting for long periods of time.
I keep a headlamp in my outdoor gear year round. It's particularly useful when walking trails in low light. It's also useful when I'm trying to quickly pack up my car in the dark, in the cold of a winter evening. I use this headlamp for night fishing in the summer and never take it out of my backpack. These headlamps are fairly cheep and come in very handy at all times and all seasons.
Sunglasses are often forgotten when ice fishing in the winter, but that's a big mistake and often means either going to the nearest store to buy some, or packing up and leaving. Glare from snow and ice as well as stinging, cold wind can leave you squinting all day and reduce your visibility. High quality sunglasses will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and blowing wind and ice. Keep a check list of items you will need and tick them off one by one before you leave the house, this way you will be ready for anything mother nature throws at you.
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