Ice Safety Tips
Our ice season on the lake shore was delayed just a little bit thanks to a dumping of lake effect snow. But we are on the ice now and people are fishing the big and small water. One thing that is consistent right now is that there are inconsistencies in the ice. I’m hoping this next cold snap will fix it but there are a couple of safety measures to take just in case.
One of the most obvious answers here is a float suit. I’ve got one of the new Clam Outdoors Defender suits and love it. It’s incredibly warm and impenetrable to the elements plus I feel much safer wearing it. However realistically not everyone is going to be able to get a float suit or want to wear one. Everyone should have a pair of ice picks and at least one person in the group should have a throw rope. Clam makes an awesome throw rope that is compact and easy to store. I always carry it with me in case of an emergency.
A spud saved me from going in yesterday without question. I would not be wandering around without one right now. Luckily there was no snow on the ice yesterday and we were able to spot where the methane pockets started and could go around them. Methane pockets are common on some of our drowned river mouth lakes that have decomposing sawmill wood on the bottom. One extremely light hit would go through those areas yesterday. It helps to know where they are likely to be found and then to always be listening to the sound of your spud.
One thing that doesn’t get talked about much with ice safety is an auger cover. I’ve seen several pictures already this year of stitches in hands from super sharp auger blades. Those blades show no mercy to flesh, clothing, or shanties. One of the best innovations I’ve seen to cover up blades is a cover from Cold Snap outdoors. Unlike the typical covers with the rubber strap that never stays on. These stay put and you just push the auger into them. No need to even get your hands close to the blades.
It is shaping up to be a great season and I hope the cold temps keep coming. I’d really like to get on some of the exciting but last to freeze fisheries we have up north this year. Be safe out there!