Fishing Forum

Alright, alright, alright... I can take a hint!

I might (key word here), try this ice fishing nonsense. However, I hadn't planned on it, so I'm really not quite ready for it this season. Might have to wait until next year, to do it properly.

One reason I was waiting for spring, is to get in better shape. Right now, I can walk half a mile (if I take it slow)...but that's on a treadmill, in the warmth of my house. I'm sure once I get outside, on uneven ground and in the cold, that'll make my stamina shorter.
Also, I'm stoopid, and despite always whining about the cold, never seem to get any decently warm clothing. But I'm learning my lesson! I've now got Merino wool long-johns. Going to buy some fleece-lined jeans soon (hopefully this coming week). I have wool gloves from Cabelas that I love! (cleaned off my car in the last storm, and by the time I was done, my fingers weren't even cold, let alone throbbing as usual! JOY!!!) In fact, just bought 2 pair last night... the ones I have now are men's size small, but they're a bit too big (they were the only ones in the mailed catalog!). So I finally got around to getting women's small from the online store. Should have them delivered next week.
Oh yeah, and a down/feather filled coat...which I've had a while. It's all nice and stained, so I've dubbed it my fishing coat, after I bought myself a new one a couple months ago.

SO!
Getting into this whole thing will take easing into..."baby steps" and all that. I suppose I'll give it a try, with some conditions. A shelter (preferably with a heater), not too far out (I want to have some energy left from hiking out to a spot, to actually be able to fish!), on a decently warm day (35+ degrees...which yes, I know is probably bad for ice stability), and lots and lots of patience! []
If anybody wants to try breaking me in, go for it!

I still say this is for the birds...in tuxedos!

*edit*
Since I'll be in a shack, I'll probably have to borrow a rod. I don't have a proper ice fishing rod, and I just bet that I'll be told that it won't work to simply break down my regular one and just use the first half of it [laugh]
[signature]

"and I just bet that I'll be told that it won't work to simply break down my regular one and just use the first half of it"

[#6000bf]Just get some duct tape and it will do a fine job. It will make a great ice rod. Make someone else pack yourgear and take a heater. You will have a great time.[/#6000bf]
[#6000bf][/#6000bf]
[#6000bf]Ice Fishing is my wife's favorite type of fishing. Good luck![/#6000bf]
[signature]

hey Chickie you can use mine or little ones fishing rod. When you get out to where you are fishing, you can relax for a few hours before you have to hike back, so everything will be good. Keep doing what you are doing now you will do great.

There are plenty of nice days on the ice. By the middle of January there can be some very warm weather that does not effect the ice or cause slush.

It'll be a few weeks, but I'll let you know when we're going to Holmes. That's a nice close place that you can bail from if you get tired, but there is still a good chance of catching some fish.
Pineview is another one not to far, but the clmb out of the narrows may be a bit much. for this year.
Mantua is a little farther, but the on and off the ice is as easy as it gets in Utah.
[signature]

Yes there are really nice days on the ice and with a nice sunny day in the shed you should stay warm. I have spare rods. If you get serious girl let ice princess know and we will try to put somthing together short walk, warm day and hopefully great fishing.
[signature]

cadresults - Really? So where do I put the tape, and what does it do, to convert "regular" to "ice fishing"?

Troll - I've been to Holmes in the summer, a couple times. The only place I know of to get in/out, seems quite a hike. A'course, I always sortta tried to go too fast...if I go slower, won't be so bad. Maybe there's another place you know of, that I don't? I go by the power line tower thing, off Gentile, and to the gate then down the hill trail to the dam.
At Mantua, do you still have to be careful about getting water on ya? Or do the swimmer's itch worms/larvae die off in winter?

ice_princes & fish_fear_me2 - A'course I know you guys would share! LOL Although I would like to go AFTER sunrise, so it's guaranteed to be warmer []
[signature]

The sun is coming up when we walk out so it is sunrise sweetie. I will look for snow pants for you that the kids may have grown out of. O and I love your new avatar its awesome, I hope you keep it forever

I've herd you mention that the hill is hard on you, not to worry. We'll bring a chair and you can rest as much as you need to. Or we'll put your small self in the sled and haul you up the hill, if we have to.

Mantua is the one. If the road to the parking lot next to the ramp is plowed, you can park there and you can be fishing in less than 100 yds from the car.
The boat harbors on UT lake are another spot that could work for you. Just park the car and your within 100' of the fishing. Get tired or chilly? Sit in the car for a while. No hills to climb. Check it out on livelakeview.com, you can see how close you can park to where people fish.
[signature]

ice_princess - Thanks. It's supposed to be the scene of the Weber Canyon entrance, as viewed from my front yard. Later in spring, when snow is only on the tops of the mountains, I'll take a photo and use that, instead of my pitiful artwork! LOL

Troll - Yeah, I whine about lots of junk. That is one of my resolutions...not to complain so much. I blame my wimpy body and clunky heart! LOL I just need to be better prepared for stuff, really, then nothing seems so bad as just trying to do everything in a rush without the proper supplies.

So anyhoo...I got to thinking about more stuff I need. I have a hat with the ear flaps (looks absolutely ridiculous, but at least it's warm!), and I'm gonna get Ice Princess to make me a fleece lining for it, for extra coziness. I got snow boots. A silk/wool scarf...don't wear it much, because it makes so much static electricity! [mad]
What else do I need?
[signature]

You need to bring a happy face and you will be set [cool] When I see you this week we will go through all the snow stuff I have see if you fit any of it.

ICE ON!!!!!!

[font "Arial"][#000000][size 2]Yeah, I whine about lots of junk. That is one of my resolutions...not to complain so much. I blame my wimpy body and clunky heart! LOL I just need to be better prepared for stuff, really, then nothing seems so bad as just trying to do everything in a rush without the proper supplies. [/size][/#000000][/font]
>>

Hey there, [cool] I've got a chuckle out of your comments. I'm from LA, and let me be perfectly clear, I like the weather there A LOT!!!! 50 degrees and people in Hollywood think the world is going to end works for me! []

So I will say that from my experience, you are WAY over worrying. The first time I went out, I went in a borrow dayglow green one piece snow suit - and rubber galoshes. (Hey, I had wool socks what's the diff? I though to myself.) And for a few hours I was just fine, and I bet I didn't walk more than 20 yards to the spot we fished.

There are some days that are warmer up on the ice than in is in the valley because of "the inversion." (in LA we call the stuff SMOG!!! [])

As I've gotten into this (it's my second year), no doubt about - I've been out on some very cold days. Like, open your container maggots and watch them freeze solid in 10 seconds cold. And some of these "old timers" that grow beards for the winter and don't want to wipe the half inch "snot sickles" from them cuz they don't wanna miss a bite on the line - and wear no gloves - I just didn't get that at all.

But... it was at the end of last season that I found myself clearing out the chunks of ice in the drilled hole with my bare hands that I realized that I had made quite a transition![]

To start, some warm clothes and a pole - and someone to go with to show you the ropes is all you really need. If I can do it - anyone can. Really. My life experience is that we can almost never be prepared for everything, sometimes we just get into it and THEN learn what we need.

Let me be perfectly clear, I would rather be on a boat in the summer "complaining" that I didn't bring sunglasses, than I would standing on the ice. But there is a unique beauty to the ice as well. And - I catch more fish thru the ice than I do on open water.
[signature]

As far as clothing goes for ice fishing, I strongly suggest ski bibs. They are warm and water proof. $15.00 - 20.00 at K-mart or Cal-Ranch in West Jordan. Boots are the #1 must have item. Get a good warm pair that is water proof and you will fall in love with ice fishing![cool]
[signature]

Ice fishing doesn't have to be expensive Just need a bit of elbow grease. Like mention earlier get a good pair of boots. Ice rods are easy to make just go to the D.I find some cheap rods cut them down and sand them to fit. FYI: dont cut the ferrule open end & glue them together make them about 2 to 3 feet. ( If its a heavy weight rod make you get some spring bobbers.)

You can buy a cheap ice sled at lowes look in the cement mixing dept an look for a cement mixing trough

You'll find good augers online, ksl & ebay come to mind but you may need to take a buddy to help you drill through the ice. There lots of people on the ice including me with gas augers who will drill holes for you. Just ask them im sure they wont mind.
[signature]

One cardinal rule- DONT! wear anything on your feet that is tight fitting. Not even socks. Your feet will stay a whole lot warmer if there's nothing hampering blood circulation.
[signature]