Fishing Forum

Wanted to let some of the other Ice angler out there know if they don't already that minus temps make lighting and keeping your heaters lite problematic.
Yesterday I was fishing at Strawberry(Ladders area) we had -10 or less temps. Our heater would not work. We traveled with them in the cold with the sled on the drive out along with the tanks. When were setting up we found tanks would not fit on the couplers. Propane would flow and tanks would leak!
So lesson learned, our heaters and tanks will make the trip inside the the cab, and be kept in a duffle bag for the walk out. Lighters will be kept in a pocket close to the body.
We spent HOURS lighting heaters...We eventually got it all going, found we diddnt miss much the fishing was very slow and few fish were there.
Stay warm out there.
[signature]

Yep, I learned a long time ago to keep the propane tanks in the cab and then I frequently carry one inside my coveralls when I walk out on the ice. Its miserable when you cant get the things to light. Glad ya finally got them lit up. -10 makes for a chilly day with no heater.
[signature]

Here is a chart with the relationship between temperature and the vapor pressure of propane. Most propane appliances require 11" to operate properly. The chart states "Outside Temperature". It should have been labeled that "Temperature of Liquid Propane" to be 100% correct.


This is for the 20 lb tanks. The pressure of the smaller tanks would be even less.
[signature]

I think we have all learned that lesson the hard way. Keep that heater and bottles warm. Couple weeks ago at strawberry I had my big buddy turned on hi and the propane froze from trying to run the heater on hi for too long. That was the coldest 45mins ever. Went from from a nice warm tent on a cold cloudy day to a cold ice box almost instantly..
Now I bring my sunflower, and extra propane just incase the heater doesn't want to cooperate.
[signature]

I had it happen once today I kept it off the ice which helped this time I had my backpack stove going to make some coffee and the water was warm not boiling hot I decided I would dip the propane tank on it for 30 sec or so. Worked like a charm we fired right back up. So something to think about
[signature]

daughter deals with propane tanks. At higher altitudes, the pressure goes down. With the cold temps, it drops more. It takes x amount of pressure to make those burners burn and when the pressure drops below the required amount, they don't work. She tells me they will drop in pressure as much as 40% at higher altitudes. That is why I use a 6 gal tank. It may be heavy, but it always lights at all temps I have had it in, including -15 degrees.
[signature]