Getting Iced by a Relative
We all have them. Those "problem" relatives that we’re reluctant to admit are even of the same blood. They can be loud, obnoxious or just plain rotten. Forget them. Enter the gifted few that seem to be good at everything they do. Despite their ability to spend an inordinate amount of time doing what they do best, they were experts from the start. Having fined-tuned their skills they have become nothing short of virtuosos. Annoying aren’t they?
For me this relative is my Uncle Terry. In all fairness, the man did introduce me to the sport of ice fishing. Our first trip on the ice while toting lawn chairs for seats and a spud bar for an auger had me hooked. I should’ve known then to call it quits.
It didn’t take me long with experience and a whole lot of research to surpass my Uncle’s knowledge of the sport. I learned how to fish under different conditions and became consistently successful. I was proud. Yet, to this day, I have yet to beat my uncle on the ice. It’s just not right!
I have talked to a number of anglers and most admit that the fishing has been spotty this year. With this in mind I thought I would pursue a few expert anglers who might have had a little more success. I found these anglers online through a popular fishing website where some of the best anglers in the country chat daily about their fishing endeavours.
Joedy Groulx, an up-and-coming tournament fishing guru and frequent ice angler from the Niagara area writes, “I have my best luck on Scugog when keeping things simple. A split shot above a #2 red Gamakatsu octopus hook rigged under the dorsal fin of a lively minnow is the key to success. Fishing this rig a foot off the bottom with a slight raising and lowering of your rod will trigger bites.”
Scott Homes, who has been on the lake daily since the season started, has had most of his luck in depths of eight to nine feet. Sparse green weeds are the key to his success. “I have gone to 1/8oz. lead heads tipped with a minnow for my set lines.” Like me, Homes has found that when the fish get finicky, switching to a banana jig rather than a flashy spoon will produce. “Keep quiet, pay close attention to your lines and don’t leave too early,” the final message from Homes.
I would like to thank Groulx and Homes for sharing their advice for the slow times. It comes as no surprise though that while writing this article I have been passed newly printed photos of my Uncle. Pictures of a 12lb walleye caught yesterday on Lake Scugog! He won the local derby with it. Last year it was a 10lb fish. He has so far refused comment, but I will work it out of him eventually.
Bass Wishes,
www.blitzcreek.com
Copyright © 2005 Chris Hockley
It is illegal to reproduce or distribute this work in any manner or medium without written permission of the author, Chris Hockley c/o Blitzcreek Pro Fishing 47 Lorne St., Sunderland, Ontario, chris@blitzcreek.com