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Spending dough for the Snow - Dough for winter Snow Sports |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 02 November 2006 |
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Page 8 of 12
 ICE FISHING
Don’t forget huge gloves, patience when hitting frozen fishing hole
Fishing on an ice-covered lake, shaking until you’re blue like Chilly Willy the penguin, may not be for everyone. But oddly enough, some anglers love it.
Ice-fishing is the perfect lure for those looking for adventure of a calmer, different sort. Fishermen find both solitude and camaraderie on frozen lakes, enveloped by crisp mountain air.
Bob Harrington, assistant manager in the fishing department at Jax Outdoor Gear in Fort Collins, said the majority of Colorado ice fishing occurs in the mountains.
“It does get cold enough down here, but it’s not as good as up near Granby or Gunnison,” he said.
Harrington outfits ice fishermen (and women) with gear and equipment, but he has never got into the sport himself.
“The equipment is a lot simpler than regular fishing equipment,” he said. “It’s pretty basic.”
The way it works is a hole is drilled through the ice so the water is exposed. It’s important that the ice is thick enough to be sturdy and safe. The Colorado Division of Wildlife says ice should be 4 inches thick for walking on and drilling a hole, and 6-8 inches for a snowmobile.
As with any Colorado fishing, a license is required. When your hands start to get cold, a thermos of steamy hot chocolate — or stronger — should do the trick.
So, bundle up, grab your pole and hit the ice this winter.
Erin Frustaci
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ESSENTIALS
Ice fishing rod and reel
($19.95 and up)
Ice hut, a tent that keeps out cold and wind
(starting at $250)
Auger
(manual $40, power $250 and up)
Bait, lures and hooks
($1 and up for hooks. Bait varies, usually small, simple bait is used. Lures will get more expensive.)
Fishing license
($31 for rest of the year)
Thermos of hot cocoa
($10 and up for thermos, $.30 and up for cocoa)
Skimmer to keep the ice away
($1.95-$19.95)
Gloves
($10.95 and up)
GOOD TO KNOW
Always check ice conditions before heading out, dress warm, claim a good spot on the ice and be patient. Don’t worry, the deep popping and cracking sounds are usually a sign that you are on safe ice, which should be at least 4 inches thick.
A fishing license good for the remainder of the year is $31 at sporting good stores or online at www.wildlifelicense.com/co/.
Sweet spots include: Granby, Chambers, Grand Lake, around the Gunnison area, the Delaney Butte Lakes, Lake John, and Taylor, Stagecoach, Elevenmile, Crawford and Williams Fork reservoirs.
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ONLINE
Ice fishing tips:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Resources Tips/IceFishing
In Grand County:
www.grand-county.com/ Ice_Fishing.aspx
Fishing license info: www.wildlifelicense.com/co/
IN PRINT
“Hooked on Ice Fishing: Secrets to Catching Winter Fish” by Tom Gruenwald
“Fishing on Ice” by Noel Vick
“Chicken Soup for the Fisherman’s Soul: Fish Tales to Hook Your Spirit and Snag Your Funny Bone” by Jack L. Canfield (editor), Ken McKowen, Mack Victor Hansen
and anything by Dave Genz.
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