Times change, but ice fishing joy endures Updated gear aids pleasure pursuit

I have yet to go ice fishing this season. It’s been more years than I can remember, if ever, since I’ve not been setting out tip-ups for trout or handlining for smelt well before the fourth week of January. There’s no question we’ve had an odd winter thus far, perhaps global warming, El Nino or some other weather phenomenon, but in any case regional waterways, even in the Crown of Maine, are not freezing up normally. And as long as trucks, snowmobiles and people keep randomly dropping through the ice as they have the last two weeks, I’m staying on solid ground.

Just last weekend a trio of my ice fishing buddies and I were commiserating the prolonged postponement of our cold-weather pastime over lunch at a local diner. Despite numerous area waterways sporting a coat of 5 or 6 inches of ice in some spots as well as several ice shanties, none of us were enthusiastic about venturing out ourselves, perhaps not until February. Call it fear, cowardice or discretion rather than boldness, but in any case when I have to worry about dog paddling around ice chunks rather than when the next fish might strike, it takes a good deal of fun from the outing.

The old way

Our lunchtime quartet did have a rather spirited discussion (argument is such an ugly word) regarding modern technology and how it has affected recent generations of ice anglers. The crux of our mini-debate centered on which particular piece of equipment has most influenced cold-weather fishing during the last 30 or 40 years. It’s a subject many rookie ice drillers never consider, most taking all the current conveniences for granted. Let me share my perspective as a veteran hard-water angler first off, and then I’ll relate and rate the importance of certain gear to the Maine ice fisherman as per the considered opinion of our lunch bunch.

By no means do I consider myself ancient, but my first ever ice-fishing outing took place almost half a century ago on a small pond within walking distance of my house. Due to my young age, I spent most of my time watching and just trying to stay upright on the glare ice, but I did catch my first brook trout through the ice that day with a good deal of hands-on help and advice from family. Winter arrived early in Aroostook back then and it was common to have waterways ice over by late November, but I recall our fishing foray was a couple of weeks before Christmas.

With just skiffs of snow here and there on the ice, three of my family members changed into ice skates to travel faster and farther while setting and tending traps. Being too young yet for my own set of skates, I settled for slipping and sliding from spot to spot, or occasionally to my great thrill getting a piggyback ride with one of the skaters. All of our fishing gear fit into an old green canvas knapsack and the only mechanical item was a muscle-powered auger.

Each of the men took turns wrestling the well-sharpened auger through 10 inches of ice, and it was hard, tedious work despite only drilling a 6-inch fishing hole. While this was taking place, one of the guys was wandering the shoreline collecting our tip-ups in the form of sturdy but flexible branches from trees and bushes. Remember, this was the mid 50s and factory-made ice fishing traps were rare, not to mention a luxury most ice anglers couldn’t afford and really didn’t need. Ice from drilling each hole was collected and formed into a pile along with any nearby snow, and the base of a branch was set into the mound of freezing slush such that the tip extended over the center of the fishing hole. The snow and ice in the pile was then packed tight and drizzled with water so once frozen it would secure the makeshift tip-up rod securely.

Lines were wound on wooden spindles and for the most part were comprised of old fly lines, caddyhunk or braided cotton backing material. Each spindle was long enough so as not to easily fall into the 6-inch auger hole, and of course would float even if the worst should happen. A 2- or 3- foot piece of leader and a size 6 or 8 Limerick hook comprised the business end of each line and worms dug from any nearby manure pile were the bait of choice.

Individual lines were set at various depths and half-hitched off to the sapling tip above the hole with the spindle set off a couple of feet to the side, and then a thin strip of red cloth was also tied to the branch tip, which bounced significantly when a trout took the bait. As memorable as catching a few fish all these years ago is, it’s the shoreline fires that helped keep hands warm, provided a steady supply of roasted hot dogs and marshmallows on a stick, and imparted colorful, dancing flames that looked and smelled so outdoorsy each and every trip that I remember most. The good old days of ice fishing fostered many great memories.

High-tech ice fishing

Without a doubt, by unanimous vote of my lunch buddies, the most beneficial piece of modern equipment to Pine Tree ice drillers is the snowmobile. Although that particular idea wasn’t among its initial design purposes, its uses to winter anglers are extensive. First and foremost a snowsled allows sportsmen to visit waterways previously unreachable due to unplowed roadways, and with the current system of groomed trails it’s possible to quickly reach and fish a few hours on very remote lakes that could never be reasonably accessed on snowshoes.

When fishing one of Maine’s truly large lakes, a snowmobile allows outdoorsmen to explore and fish the most distant corners and coves that just couldn’t be reached on foot. In fact, when the first drill site proves fruitless, it’s simple to buzz down the lake and relocate in short order. On top of all this, a snowmobile allows ice anglers to easily carry a load of gear, or to haul a pack sled full of equipment or even pull a portable shelter. What a boat has provided open-water fishermen for centuries, the snowmobile now provides for winter sportsmen: speed, long distance access to secluded snowbound waterways and load hauling ability regardless of road and weather conditions.

Another modern mode of travel also serves present-day ice drillers well when snow cover is minimal or nonexistent on frozen lakes. Three- and four wheel ATVs have proved efficient means of transport to remote woodland waterways away from decent driving roads, and these motorized mules can carry quite a load as well as two sportsmen. Despite not offering the all-winter versatility of a snowsled, ATVs get honorable mention in the most helpful gear category and also offer anglers far quicker and easier travel than snowshoes.

While we’re still in the motorized category, there are many veteran winter anglers who feel the gas ice auger deserves top honors as the most beneficial tool. Having wrestled a muscle-powered hand auger as well as a heavy ice chisel through two or more feet of ice for a dozen or so fishing holes, I’ll admit it’s a close choice. In truth, the only good thing I have to say about manual augers is that they do help keep a sport warm on nippy days.

Back when I started ice fishing there was no choice, although when ice was only 6 or 8 inches thick some guys used a chain saw to create a few holes. Manual augers may be light and portable, but gas units drill faster, wider holes, even up to 10 inches. Perhaps a motorized auger’s greatest advantage is allowing an angler to pick up from one spot where the action is abysmal, and move across the lake, redrill and be set for action in short order. When hand augers were the only option, most fishermen didn’t even want to drill an extra hole or two when they were set up.

Cool comfort

A good deal of dissension led to the next most important update from the “old days”. Two of my buddies picked portable ice shanties and stuck to their guns, while the other duo adamantly argued for warmer, more comfortable boots and clothing. Each defense was similar, if you have shelter you don’t need as many layers of clothes and conversely if you’re dressed really warm, no fish hut is necessary. I feel both items are very important for different reasons.

A collapsible, portable shanty hauled behind a snowmobile can be used to haul a lot of gear, and thusly equipped a rookie ice angler can visit a different waterway and seek out varied species each weekend. As for the lightweight coldwear that lets moisture out and keeps heat in from cap to boots, underwear to outerwear, winter sportsmen would be fools not to dress for the conditions. Sleds break down and unexpected situations occur in sub zero temperatures; dress for the worst-case scenario, you can always take clothes off, but you can’t put on what you don’t have along.

In the way of other small but appreciated advances in equipment, how about lightweight but heavy-duty molded plastic tote sleds. They take most of the strain from transporting gear for several anglers as they slide slickly along on any surface. Fishing lines are smaller and more invisible but stronger, and hooks are far superior. Circle hooks are far more effective compared to old straight-shank standbys, and red or gold colors really do improve action. Battery operated aerators for bait buckets keep minnows alive longer and give them prolonged vitality, and long-handled minnow nets as well as wide, sturdy ice strainers keep fingers and hands dry and warm. Even the variety of tip-ups and the multitude of features grow every season, pretty quick I expect to see a remote control outfit.

Ice fishing, like everything else, changes with the times. Would I prefer to go back to the old ways, with no modern mechanical assistance? Not a chance. Do I miss the old winter fishing trips where it was all hands-on man and machine? Once in awhile. I will tell you this, modern conveniences make us more comfortable and more competent ice fishermen, but I wouldn’t trade even one of my early outings for a million bucks. Those memorable experiences are what create each individual sportsman, help us appreciate current trends, and allow us to tell the younger generation how it used to be.