Farting around on the ice

upnorth · Jan 16, 2013

I've never ice fished this lake before. It was slow as first and last ice is best, but I still enjoyed it. Going to need a few more though for a decent chew.

upnorth · Jan 16, 2013

Sorry mods, my mistake. If this could be redirected to the Hunting\Fishing forum it would be appreciated. I'm tired, thanks.

Codger_64 · Jan 16, 2013

Nice! I've never ice fished here in the mid-south. Looks like chilly fun though. :thumbup:

Bruce Culberson · Jan 16, 2013

I've never tried perch, but have heard they are good eating.
Good to see some folks are getting out this winter.

dipbait · Jan 17, 2013

I had yellow perch once. It is choice.

Joe L. Bachs · Jan 17, 2013

Perch are good eating, what you've got there is a decent size snack. There is a great video on you-tube, where this guy who is ice fishing shows how to peel them almost in one piece with a wood handle mora. we usually bring a little webber grill with us and cook up little guys like that as we catch them.

mewolf1 · Jan 17, 2013

Perch are excellent. Walleye is actually in the Perch family. This thread reminds me of the time the whole fam went, and we were catching alot. I made a count and there were 50 on the ice. I asked my son "Think we got enough and should go home?" "No Dad, we can keep 125!!"

I knew we would be cleanin all night but he needed to learn a lesson. We ended up with 90. On the way home I told him, "Don't think you aren't helpin to clean these". Took 4 hours to fillet them.

When we got done I asked him "You ever gonna keep this many again?" "NOOO!"

Lesson learned. Little buggers sure are tastey though.

upnorth · Jan 17, 2013

Thanks for the comments everyone. I might be going out tommorow, depending on a few variables of life. I got an idea of were people are setting up from this first scouting trip. With any luck I should gather up enough perch for the warden and myself. It seems that no one in town sells maggots, which is disappointing because I've slaughtered perch on maggies before. My little minnow chunks were effective but if I get on a hot bite I'll just use perch eyes.

mewolf1 · Jan 17, 2013

Upnorth, my dad uses the fakes from "Gulp" and does just fine and they don't turn black.:thumbup:

upnorth · Jan 17, 2013

mewolf1 said:
Upnorth, my dad uses the fakes from "Gulp" and does just fine and they don't turn black.:thumbup:

Now that is great info, thanks. No time for this run, looks like I'm going out tommorow. Heard reports that the water may be drained down a foot, I'll have to check that out. I have to be alert with reservoirs. The pumping stations, flow under bridges, etc. can be hazards as I'm sure you are already aware of. I'm too old and fat to go winter snorkeling.

Brad "the butcher" · Jan 19, 2013

My dad and I went ice fishing in the prairies at least 6 times a year, perch walleye and pike, some whitefish too.

Perch are fantastic eating, we used to just cut the fins off, scale and knock the head off and fry. The slabs of meat come off the bones in one piece with a fork when they are done.

upnorth · Jan 20, 2013

Brad "the butcher";11747266 said:
My dad and I went ice fishing in the prairies at least 6 times a year, perch walleye and pike, some whitefish too.

Perch are fantastic eating, we used to just cut the fins off, scale and knock the head off and fry. The slabs of meat come off the bones in one piece with a fork when they are done.

Unfortunately Not a rattle, nibble or hit last time out. Not even a fish fart bubble came up through the ice. The tea and brisk air were enjoyable though. There were some small mulies around the cottages, yearlings or does I suppose. I thought that one was a lawn ornament until it moved its head.

I used to go for whites with wire worms, it was great fun. Might give it a shot this winter.

fmajor007 · Jan 21, 2013

Boots! Boots! Show me yer boots!!!

I've just bought a pair of US Army VB/"Bunny" boots and wondered if any up your way 1) wore them and 2) what they thought of them

Sorry for the thread drift....

And yes fresh-caught perch are yummy!!!! Fried up in butter and the just flaking off the bones. Ummm um good!

upnorth · Jan 21, 2013

Sorry bud, nothing special about my boots other than a mildly noticeable tangy asssault to the nasal passages. They are plain black rubber bottom, nylon top (with a thermal material layer) Kamik winter boots. Lace up at the ankle and top. I grabbed some surplus Canuck army double layered wool inserts to slip into them. I run one or two pair of wool socks in these boots and I'm good to go. If I start feeling the tingles I'll get up and walk for a couple of minutes.

fmajor007 · Jan 22, 2013

Thx for taking the time to post up the pics!

Interesting boot liners - i bet they're warm! What i also see is a reasonably high insulated "gaitor" that probably contributes to keeping the blood in yer toes warmer.

Good stuff!

jimh0220 · Jan 22, 2013

Careful farting on the ice. Sudden melting might cause a breakthrough.

upnorth · Jan 22, 2013

fmajor007 said:
Thx for taking the time to post up the pics!

Interesting boot liners - i bet they're warm! What i also see is a reasonably high insulated "gaitor" that probably contributes to keeping the blood in yer toes warmer.

Good stuff!

It's funny how we go in and out of hobbies, forget stuff, then the bulb comes on again. I remember that years ago I used to put those yellow porous insoles in my boots to keep my feet dry = warmer. I forgot all about them as it has been years since I last ice fished. I think that looking at the ''Bushcraft'' book reminded me of them, I should go get some again. I got another ice fishing rod and reel to back up my oldie. I have a yearning to cut some ice but severe temps or work are road blocks. I hope to get out again soon. The ice fishing has been hit and miss on several lakes around here this winter, from reports that I have gathered from conservation officers. Still nice to get out of the cave though.

upnorth · Jan 22, 2013

jimh0220 said:
Careful farting on the ice. Sudden melting might cause a breakthrough.

Indeed, but it warms up the snowsuit.

Codger_64 · Jan 22, 2013

upnorth said:
The ice fishing has been hit and miss on several lakes around here this winter, from reports that I have gathered from conservation officers. Still nice to get out of the cave though.

Those are good guys to be friends with. More than once they have put me on hot spots for fish.

upnorth · Jan 23, 2013

Codger_64 said:
Those are good guys to be friends with. More than once they have put me on hot spots for fish.

I considered taking the conservation officer course (2 years) up here a long time ago, sometimes I wish that I had. I am always legal when the CO's come around so I never fear them, as the over limiters and boozers do. I phoned all the CO's around my area within an hours drive or so to a lake. I pretty much got the same story, slow, to hit and miss. I can live with that as there is usually more to a trip than just catching fish. Jaw bone with locals etc. I just grabbed a little Clam two man ice tent so that the warden might come out when the temps are tolerable. I could always heat with propane but I have a tolerance limit on gear. I hate bringing the kitchen sink out there. Although I'll likely grab an ice sled to pull\haul the junk with. I really didn't plan on doing the ice thing this winter, I kind of fell back into it incrementally. It's pretty good though as this reserviour is only a 45 minute drive.