NortheasternOntario-TravelMag2023 - Flipbook - Page 28
EMBRACE THE CHILL
Discovering the Joys of Ice Fishing
Story by Mathew Koprash
I
ce fishing is a great way to pass
the time over the winter months
and many consider it their favourite
TIP UPS, RODS,
REELS & LINE
the comfort of an ice shack, the
My preparation starts with looking
camaraderie
visiting
at tip ups, rods, reels, and line. Key
others, the cold air you feel as you
components of a tip up that should
are riding across a lake on your snow
be reviewed are the line, hook,
machine, or the sound of the auger
and any indicator mechanisms if
blades cutting through frozen water.
available.
while
many rod and reel repair shops
around the region that will be happy
to help.
way and time to fish. It could be
felt
any abrasions or nicks. There are
LURES & TACKLE
STORAGE
Lures and tackle storage is the next
big item, and it can be as quick or
Ice fishing is easily accessible as no
boat is required or needed to get to
Next, take a look at the rod blanks
extensive as you wish. A simple
fishing locations. Take a look around
for any major chips, guides, and
check and rust wipe could do, or you
the lakes in your area and you will
eyelets for line cutting nicks and old
can go one step further and check
notice communities of permanent
weathered line. If you notice any
all your baits for hook quality. Barbs
ice huts. These shacks often reflect
of the above requiring attention, I
and hook points should be checked
personalities, from shape to paint.
strongly advise spending the time
along with any straightened shanks,
Going to “the shack” during the
or money to do so.
followed by an overall bait review
looking for rust, paint chips, dents
winter for a weekend is a tradition in
Northeastern Ontario and here are
One tip I use is to run a cotton swab
or damages. Once your existing
my top tips to make it perfect.
through ceramics on the guides.
baits have been reviewed, I like to
The cotton will tell you if you have
take inventory and make note of
productive or lost baits.
28
WINTER FUN