Syracuse.com - Outdoors writer finally gets hooked on ice fishing

[HuntingNY-News]

I can't stand being cold. However, fishing from a heated ice shanty has changed my mind about this sport.

It's nice to catch something through the ice. This northern really put up a fight before I pulled it through my hole. I got him on a small, perch-colored jig. Syracuse, N.Y. -- I’m managed to avoid ice fishing for most of my life. I can’t stand being cold.

This year, though,my attitude has suddenly changed. I’m hooked on it.

I grew up in Endwell, which is near Binghamton. My dad took me out ice fishing several times on the Susquehanna River when I was in grade school.

I was too skinny, and obviously, poorly dressed for the cold. It was no fun. Dad would be setting up tip-ups for walleyes and I’d just be standing around. Several times he brought a snow shovel. He had me bring ice skates. He told me to keep warm by shoveling out a small rink and ice skating around. In no time, I’d get sweaty, then cold – then I’d want to go home.

But that was years ago, and the clothing has drastically improved, putting the old-fashioned, cotton long underwear; jeans; cotton tube socks and uninsulated rubber boats I used to wear to shame.

In addition, today many anglers use portable ice shanties. Bring along a portable propane heater and these fabric structures can heat up to about 40-50 degrees inside. Take away the cold factor, throw in a couple of comfortable, portable seats – along with a few drinks and munchies. Now you’re talking.

Like anything else – regardless of whether your passion is birding, hiking or shooting ruffed grouse – if you really want to enjoy your outdoor passion, there’s no substitute for good, quality clothing and state-of-art equipment.

Since getting my outdoors writing job, I've invested in good warm clothing, boots and gloves. A few weeks ago I took another big step. I broke down and bought a brand new, two-person Frabill Trekker ice shanty. It retails for about $450, but I got a deal on one from another angler.

I tried it out last weekend on Delta Lake, just north of Rome. It was 22-24 degrees out.

After about 10 minutes, I got my first bite. It was a small yellow perch.

More than an hour went by. Nothing. I called a friend Jeff on my cell phone. Mid-way through the conversation, a felt a big tug on one of my small ice fishing poles. I jerked and set the hook.

About five minutes later, I was holding a nice, fat 20-22-inch northern pike. After pictures were taken, I released him back into the hole.

Unfortunately, during the battle the pike got wrapped around my other line and pulled my other, brand new, ice fishing rod and reel into its hole . I was upset. I had been careless and it cost me.

However, I was blessed with beginner’s luck. About 20 minutes later, as I was jigging my remaining pole it suddenly felt like I’d snagged something, possibly a stick or a weed. I reeled it in. It was my other pole.

After catching a few more small perch, I figured it was time to go. I felt relaxed. I had caught fish. It was a good outing.

Yes, I’m still a little skittish about being out on the ice. I won’t venture out on a waterway unless there’s at least four inches of ice.

Putting aside my fears, I’ve found that ice fishing in comfort in a heated shanty is the way to go.

I finally get ice fishing.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog