Ice

[BigBassin144]

You know, this is the time of year that I really hate for fishing. From the first ice-over till there's enough ice for Ice Fishing. Up until the first ice-over, I can go out and throw lures even though I know I'm not going to catch anything. (Before this year's ice-over, I was practicing with some of our new musky lures). Before yesterday's... well, not really an ice storm, more like really cold rain... (although they predicted an ice storm) Anyway's before the rain here in the mid west, we had two and a half inches of ice on our pond. That beats last year's ice by a ton figuring we didnt have any ice over 1/2 inch till Jan.

So what do you guys do (not you who live too far south for ice-over) while you are waiting for enough ice to come around to go ice fishing?
That is, if you ice fish...

I think I'm suffering from fishing withdrawl, [sp?]
BB

[lunker-lander]

Well, when there is no ice, yet it is really crappy out, I kick back, clean rods, sharpen hooks, and be happy we have no school... like today!!!!!

-LL-

[Bob Smith]

You guys can have that ice!! I can't imagine parking my darierre' on a fridgid chunk of ice, fishing through a little hole!

[garry_3000]

Sorry I guess that I must have small stones because frostbite, hypothermia, and fallin through ice dont say fun at all

[eyes]

Lots of ice north of you Lunker, 4" to 8". Leroy area just south of Cadillac.Good ice and a good early bite going on.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by lunker-lander

Well, when there is no ice, yet it is really crappy out, I kick back, clean rods, sharpen hooks, and be happy we have no school... like today!!!!!

-LL-

Yeah, the no school thing is great. I was really glad when they closed this morning. There's supposed to be another sotrm moving to tonight and tomarrow morning. So maybe School will be closed again.

BB

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by garry_3000

Sorry I guess that I must have small stones because frostbite, hypothermia, and fallin through ice dont say fun at all

Well. I surely don't like those thing either. But if you know what you're doing, you don't have to worry about them. Although ice fishing on lake erie is pretty dangerous. My dad's friend is getting an airboat to take out there. It is a lot safer and faster.

BB

[Bender]

I went out Sunday morning for a little bit. There was 3" of ice. I had to leave after only a little more than an hour since I forgot my heavy jacket and it was about 20 degrees.

[Rebbasser]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

You guys can have that ice!! I can't imagine parking my darierre' on a fridgid chunk of ice, fishing through a little hole!

Me either, Bob. Us Texas boys are totally out of our element on that hard water.

[lunker-lander]

Well, I again had today off of school, and another storm is supposed to blow in tonight, so maybe no school again. If so, that will be three days in a row. Been gettin' the beagles out and running 'em, went 1 for 3 rabbits today. Jump shot the one, missed one, ran one and he holed up. Tomorrow afternoon is supposed to be sunny, so hopefully we will not have school and I can hunt the neighbors. Limitted out there last time!!! Wish for no school!!!!!

-LL-

[BigBassin144]

LL, We only got delays yesterday. Most of the weather was north of us. (but of course you know that already.) It's supposed to snow tonight but the weather guys are dumb.

BB

[lunker-lander]

Where have you been? Nostradamus predicted that hundreds of years ago!

-LL-

[BigBassin144]

I'm assuming you mean "the wether guys are dumb."

Anyways, I'm gonna check the weather in a little bit. Hopefully we'll be at least delayed in the morning.

BB

[zooker]

i do love the look on a rookies face when they come out on the ice on a loud day. the ice is like a living breathing thing. some days it can be very quite or poppin and creakin alot..

freezing nah you go numb first. frost bite aint fun but you don't feel it at first..
ask pnj they used to have-probly still do- an ice tourny on lomoka/wenetta lakes a 72 hour monster i placed second ,first,second in the three years i did it. took 4 hours to thaw my coveralls out enough to unzip the legs after wards..

zooker

[BigBassin144]

I love the cool noises the ice makes. I remember the first time my dad took me ice fishing. I was scared to death the ice was gonna break. and then I spetted in a hole of someone's who had covered it with snow... Wet boots are a miserable thing to have ice fishing.

BB

[zooker]

three words "micky mouse boots"


zooker

[BigBassin144]

lol

BB

[zooker]

no seriously the usa militry has an extreme cold weather boot called a "micky mouse boot" though they will eat the hair off your shin and a bit clunky. i have found no warmer boot made for ice fishin..

zooker

[Bender]

Zooker is not joking here. I have white ones which are warmer than the black ones. Do not open the air valves and you will be fine. I just got my pair at G.I. Joes in Fort Wayne for $120.

[BigBassin144]

Wow. That's interesting. My boots are fine for me though. They're form Cabela's and good to -30 degrees. I don't think I'll be fishing anything colder than that. The lowest I've fished in is like 6 degrees, windchill like -3 or -4 though.

BB

[zooker]

i have ice fished in -40 degree weather it aint fun and you have to be CAREFUL but it can be done safely..

wait till them pack boot give you frost bite -i used them before the micky mouse boots-trust me NOTHING works better. i see them here-nc- for around $70 a pair.


zooker

[BigBassin144]

Zook, I'm not doubting the warmth of your micky mouse boots. I actually think that'd be a good idea for someone who would fish in extremely cold weather. I'm just saying, I don't plan on on fishing in -40 degree weather.

by the way, I was wondering, why do they call 'em micky mouse boots?

BB

[Bender]

Here you go:
"First issued to U.S. GIs during the Korean War, Mickey Mouse boots are designed for combat and shielded against water and extreme cold. A wool-lined interior and several layers of rubber serve as insulation. Their most distinguishable features are their giant size and pure white color. Reminded of the iconic cartoon character, soldiers joked they were in Mickey Mouse's shoes. The rubber was tinted white to camouflage with snow."
Also they have black ones that are not quite as warm, but easier to walk in.

[BigBassin144]

That's really interesting. Thanks Bender.

Anyways, all the rain we've had has really messed up the ice. So unlike the prediction I made in the beginning of Dec to be ice fishing before 2008, will probably be wrong now.

BB

[Bender]

I just found this place for cheap: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/searc...ey+mouse+boots
Make sure that you get a size smaller though. I wear 11 shoes and boots, but had to go down to a 10 Wide on these boots.