I have only ice fished lil Camas twice. I rented a piece o crap hand auger both times. dull and loose blades. my buddy just ordered a good hand cracker with the drill adapter. It will be here next week. So the big question is... will i offend anyone if i use a chainsaw to drill some holes sunday. i plan on making like a 5 inch hole only. I plan on bringing a sledge hammer too and will try to find old holes first to reopen. There will be three of us. Thoughts?
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Chainsaw! EGads Man! Seriously I've taken some desperate measures to get through the ice myself, sledgehammers, ice pick, etc. But don't sell short the fisherman around you. We are all out there for the same reason. When someone has asked me if I could cut them a hole with my power auger, or even if they could borrow my hand auger, I have never said no, and when it was me that had to do the asking, I have never had anyone turn me down. We are all out to have fun and catch some fish. Never seen anyone use a chainsaw in our area, to be honest, would it be legal? I don't know. Depending on the time of day you show up, could be a lot of open holes already. Happy fishing.[cool]
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all i have to say is I love the dedication! Give it hell. Be sure to check the regulations on hole size though. not sure what it is but i think other than sisco fishing bear lake they have to be smaller than so many inches
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fish-o-holic, where you coming from? I'm in Jerome and have a hand auger that's only been used about 4 times and sure will let you borrow it. Also, as was stated previously I don't know a single fisherman that would refuse to drill holes for a fellow lip ripper if asked-hell I might even end up at Magic myself sunday if I don't go duck hunting and would be glad to drill a hole for ya
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I've used a chain saw when I was younger once and if you want to then go for it. Remember no bigger than a ten inch hole and as far as others scoffing at you it isn't that much more noise than a gas auger. Just be prepared to get wet from what I remember so stay away from the spray. That being said I would lend you an auger if you were by me as well as others have said. Pretty much everything is working at Magic now so have fun.
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First time I ever went ice fishing years ago, we were supposed to meet a friend at Mackay. He wasn't there and never showed. We didn't have an auger. I told my wife and boy to look pathetic and we walked around testing iced over holes with our toes. That took about 30 seconds and a guy asked if we wanted some holes. Sure. Vroom vroom, we had holes.
I got a hand auger from Harbor Freight after that. It is only about 4" but is the sharpest thing I ever bought from them. We only make it out every couple years and never caught a big fish. I don't know how big would fit thru that little hole.
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I dont see any problem with it except take a stick or a 2x4 with you and instead of lifting the ice out push it down under the ice. there was a guy at Oakley last year that used one on many occasions and he would lift them out and use them to set his poles on. I cant tell you how many times i tripped over them they never melted or sunk into the ice like the rocks do. Another option is an ax when my dad first took me ice fishing that's all he ever used and it should be pretty easy to open a few old holes with one
Im sure you wont have to cut many I bet someone offers to cut you holes [cool] at least i would and have done in the past [fishon]
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Thank you everyone. I will be coming from Mtn Home. I just diid not want to get out there and be "That Guy" i bet we will be alright. still cant wait for the auger.
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Well i got out there about 10AM a buddy of mine was out there and i used his auger. we fished the west side of magic by the resort. I got 3 trout and 2 perch. had a blast. On the way up there the temp was -20... Yup 20 below it was a cold one. had a great time and will do a lot more ice fishing in the next couple months, feel free to tell me where you are catching more that 20 perch. I dont care the size just like to catch them.
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We were right there on Sat. Caught 3 medium trout and 12 small perch. Everyone seemed to be moving out to the middle. I hope to get back up there in a day or two. Old timer told me to get to deeper water for the bigger perch, big trout will be closer to the shore.
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