Fishing Forum - Beautiful day at the Berry

Fished the Berry yesterday and what a nice day to get the kids out. Weather conditions were great with a little wind thru out the day. Ice conditions were a little tricky in certain places. Had quite a few nasty slush pockets between haws point and renegade area. Almost got the trail model sled stuck 3 times but lucked out and caught some traction on some old tracks. My new purchase last summer did great with the 144in track. There were lots of fish where we settled on a nicely packed area with no slush. Only got 20ish slot cuts top side between 4 of us. Nothing to particular was a hot bait. Had 15-16in of ice where we fished with the top 4-5 being cloudy/ settled snow and a fresh 8-10in snow on top of that. Had to make a trip back to the truck to grab the daughters charging cord and breakfast burrito when I came across a couple guys that were pulling their broke down snow dog in a sled and totally exhausted Apparently they had broke a jack shaft and were definitely in need of some help. Told me they couldn't flag any one down and the one guy that did stop said he was way to busy to help them. Some people!! I got them back up to their truck, then took them back to their camp and dropped them off. After we finished fishing we returned and helped the drag their gear to the marina. More than happy to help people in that situation as I have been there myself a time or two, just wish others could do the same sometimes. Not that much time out of your day when you have the means to help. Well enough of that. If you head up be cautious of the slush.

Great report and pics Matt, looks like your daughter had a good day and good for you, helping out a fellow fisherman. Did you by chance ask that guy how old his snow dog was? Just doesn't seem that they have been around for that long, so it makes me wonder if they are very dependable, as they get older Undecided

(03-09-2025, 06:31 PM)wiperhunter2 Wrote: [ -> ]Great report and pics Matt, looks like your daughter had a good day and good for you, helping out a fellow fisherman. Did you by chance ask that guy how old his snow dog was? Just doesn't seem that they have been around for that long, so it makes me wonder if they are very dependable, as they get older

His was home built and it was a clean build. He had every spare part to fix it on the fly but didn't anticipate a jack shaft failure. Said he was going to add am extra to the parts bag

(03-09-2025, 08:41 PM)Muskyon46 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-09-2025, 06:31 PM)wiperhunter2 Wrote: [ -> ]Great report and pics Matt, looks like your daughter had a good day and good for you, helping out a fellow fisherman. Did you by chance ask that guy how old his snow dog was? Just doesn't seem that they have been around for that long, so it makes me wonder if they are very dependable, as they get older

His was home built and it was a clean build. He had every spare part to fix it on the fly but didn't anticipate a jack shaft failure. Said he was going to add am extra to the parts bag

I had to look up what a jack shaft was, it kind of looks like a universal joint, is that correct? If he used a new one when he built it, you would think it would last a number of years but maybe it wasn't a new part Undecided

(03-09-2025, 09:29 PM)wiperhunter2 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-09-2025, 08:41 PM)Muskyon46 Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-09-2025, 06:31 PM)wiperhunter2 Wrote: [ -> ]Great report and pics Matt, looks like your daughter had a good day and good for you, helping out a fellow fisherman. Did you by chance ask that guy how old his snow dog was? Just doesn't seem that they have been around for that long, so it makes me wonder if they are very dependable, as they get older

His was home built and it was a clean build. He had every spare part to fix it on the fly but didn't anticipate a jack shaft failure. Said he was going to add am extra to the parts bag
I had to look up what a jack shaft was, it kind of looks like a universal joint, is that correct? If he used a new one when he built it, you would think it would last a number of years but maybe it wasn't a new part .

I believe your correct. Crucial part of the drive train for sure. Appeared to be the part connected to the smaller drive gear off of the motor. Carrying 2 knowing that now might be beneficial for dog owners. Homemade or purchased.

Good job Matt, glad you got out and had some fun and helped out along the way, bet it was much appreciated.... So if my vernacular is correct the jack shaft on the snowmobile is the driven shaft that has the secondary clutch on it, opposite end goes into the gearbox that takes the power to the track... If they call it the same thing on the snowdogs... That would really shut you down and put you in need of a tug... I'll be the slush didn't make pulling a dog home very easy... Glad you had the new sled with a little more get up and go... Later J

(03-10-2025, 02:48 PM)SkunkedAgain Wrote: [ -> ]Good job Matt, glad you got out and had some fun and helped out along the way, bet it was much appreciated.... So if my vernacular is correct the jack shaft on the snowmobile is the driven shaft that has the secondary clutch on it, opposite end goes into the gearbox that takes the power to the track... If they call it the same thing on the snowdogs... That would really shut you down and put you in need of a tug... I'll be the slush didn't make pulling a dog home very easy... Glad you had the new sled with a little more get up and go... Later J

You defined it almost perfectly Jeff.
The jack shaft typically either changes the drive type usually from a belt driven force, through a solid steel shaft, to usually drive a chain.
Most Snow dogs use a variable speed clutch (belt driven) on the engine side, to the jack shaft.
Then on other side of jackshaft is usually chain or gearbox down to drive the track.
The weakest part of the jackshaft assembly is the two milled keyways on each end of jackshaft.
The keyway MUST be in good condition with the correct key installed or a failure is just begging to happen.
Neither the driven pulley (secondary) or the gear on the other side can be allowed to move laterally on that keyway or you are walking home.
If the bolts holding the bracket that supports the jackshaft and bearings wiggle or come loose, you will also be walking back very soon.