02-08-2002, 07:02 AM
Ice Fishing Tip #3<br><br>Do not go Ice Fishing in your “Birthday Suet” <br> <br>For some it might it might be a pleasant site, for others it might make them want to shove fishhooks in their eyes. Besides you wouldn’t want to get sun burned! <br><br>But seriously, fishing out on the lake at times during the winter, it feels like you aren’t wearing any cloths at all. No matter how much you try to bundle up the wind will cut right through your clothing, chilling you to the bone making what would be a pleasurable fishing trip a down right miserable fiasco. <br><br>Breaking the wind is half the battle. They’re several ways of beating the wind. The easiest is to build a shanty with all the comforts of home. Heater radio or TV lights and yes even a refrigerator. I have done this my self and must say that it is quite comfortable. Taking your heavy coats off and hangs them on the wall. Outside is 30 deg. below zero; the wind is a blowing and a howling away at gust up to forty miles per hour, all the while you are roasting at temps in excess of 85 deg. <br><br>Ok, this might be a bit too extreme for most people’s blood. There are countless numbers of portable shanties available on the market. They may not be as nice as a home made to custom shanty they do provide shelter for those lake hopers who want to try some place else miles away from home. (Some can be set up in less than 2 minuets) I had one and wore it out, after 10 years of rigorous use of course. <br><br>Ok, this might be too expensive for some one who is just starting out and is not quite sure that they will ever try Ice Fishing again. Still, getting out of the wind is your best defense for staying worm. Many years ago my dad came up with a sled that stood up on end that he could sit in. (Like a little cubby hole) he could stay out there hours after every one else got cold and had to go back in. (this did improve on his fish take home tremendously)(plans are available at <A HREF="http:// www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bigfish/wwwthreads/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=Ice&Number=7994&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5 " target="_new">http:// www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bigfish/wwwthreads/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=Ice&Number=7994&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5 </A><br><br>Ok, you don’t want to invest time or money in a home on the ice, portable shanty or build an inexpensive sled.<br>There are other ways of maintaining your body heat. This is a must and is always a good idea for any one who lives in a northern climate where the temps drop to freezing. Proper clothing will sustain you quite well if you remember to keep your motion to a minimum and don’t over heat. <b> You do not want to sweat, If you do it will just be a matter of minuets after you stop sweating you will begin to start freezing. At this point you are all done. GO HOME BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! </b> no amount of clothing will stop you from freezing after you start sweating. <br> <br>Purchasing the right clothing is always a plus. (The <b>BIGFISHTACKLE </b>superstore has some articles you might want to consider.) Clothes that close up around your ankles and wrists snug but not tight help to keep the wind out. Many are wind resistant. A good winter outfit can even save your life if stranded in a car on a back road over night. Or the power in your house goes out.<br><br><br>[cool] “Don’t forget to wiggle your jig.” davetclown