Ice fishing

[Coon]

Last weekend there was 8-10 inches of ice up here.  Just barely enough for a half ton.  But then again no one was going way out towards the middle of the lake either.  We need some more REAL cold weather before it gets much thicker.  Got up to 3 feet of snow on the ice in places and that insulates the ice, hence the reasoning for needing the cold weather. 

In another area about 75 miles away from where we were driving on the ice a snow groomer went through on a swamp they were trying to cross.  The way I understand it there was flowing water about a 1/4 mile away where the beavers had opened up a dam.  They must be able to sense that we are going to get a whole bunch of snow.  It's their way of keeping fresh water by melting the snow when the water pushes the ice down.  Creates a whole pile of hazards for the snowmobilers.  They ended up shutting down some of the trails until further notice because of this and I don't blame them.

[olyman]

coon--speaking of snow on ice--ever watch ice road truckers????? they went over the lake with lighweight machines to plow the snow off---then after it froze for a day or so--went on with heavier machines to push the snow out farther----and could only run excessive heavy loads on exceeding cold days---

[Furby]

Coon lives in Canada and the show isn't aired there, but I figure he knows about the method.

[Coon]

I'll just have to see if I can dig up some of my pics and scan them.  I built ice roads for one winter.  Tis the reason for owning my own 2 1/2" and a 3" water pumps along with really good Jiffy Ice Auger.  I sub contracted out for a company in Northern British Columbia.  The company owned it's own snow groomer in which they used to initially plow and pack a snow base with.  Then along I would come with my ice auger and drill some holes along one side or the other to pump water from. Set up the pump and was in business flooding.  I would flood one area then move on down to the next.  Worked in some very frigid temperatures but got the job done and got paid rather well.

[Jeff]

Farmerdoug, Here's a report for ya.     We drove to houghton lake this morning to buy a new toilet seat, so I thought of ya.  (That didnt sound right ;) ;D)

The South end of Houghton Lake has dozens and dozens of shanties and it looks like they are driving ATV's but NO CARS. It was really foggy so I could only see out about 200 yards.  We swung by the North end of Long Lake on the eaay home, just North of Harrison. My Favorite ice fishing lake. There were zero shanties, but there were 4 guys out on pales.  It looks like they were standing on top of everything so no snow to speak of left on the lake, but if there are no shanties there yet, the ice cant be great.

[Furby]

We are having another warm spell down here, so if it works it's way up to you Jeff, your reported conditions won't last long.

[farmerdoug]

Yes, mud season is coming back here too. :

Farmerdoug

[isawlogs]

    Furby, we have television here too , got that lectric stuff a while back . There has been a show that aired here all about the northern ice roads .  ;)

[Furby]

The Ice Road Truckers series from The History Channel ???
Last I heard they had no plans to release it too Canada.
You getting it on a US channel?

[isawlogs]

No idea whats it called ... but it was 'bout making ice roads up north for the oil rigs .... or something .............  Furby , think they call it satelite tv ......   ;)

[stumpy]

I personally like Ice fishing, but my brother in law says "Ice fishing is like duck hunting up a chimney"

[Mooseherder]

I personally like Ice fishing, but my brother in law says "Ice fishing is like duck hunting up a chimney"

;D ;D ;D :D