Diehard anglers head for the ice

SHANNON VELEZ

Whitefish Pilot

This past week of sub-zero temperatures may have driven most inside to huddle by the fireplace but, for some, the biting cold heralds the long-awaited opening of another spectacular season of ice fishing.

A solid eight inches of ice beckoned at least a few fishermen out onto Spencer Lake Sunday morning and, word has it that even more fishermen braved the cold on the upper and lower Stillwater, a wintry haven for Northern Pike.

Contrary to the popular perception of ice fishing - boring, boring, cold and boring- regional fisheries manager, Jim Vashro can vouch for the popularity of this underrated winter sport which tops open water fishing with two to three times the catch rate.

While it may take many more weeks of cold to firm up the big lakes, like Whitefish, McGregor and various bays dotting Flathead Lake, plenty of diehard, ice anglers have been fishing for well over a month at Smith and Rogers Lakes, enjoying the great outdoors from the unlikely perch of an upturned ten gallon bucket.

"It's a good cure for cabin fever," Vashro said. "It's a chance to get out with your friends and family and even work off some of that holiday fat!"

Burning fat? Yup. Not only will you work off some of grandma's super rich holiday fudge just trying to stay warm but you'll get some cardio in as well moving from one spot to another, drilling hole after hole in pursuit of a finicky and often elusive quarry.

With a pair of binoculars and an ice auger at the ready, Vashro finds it useful to keep an eye on his fellow fishermen to determine where the fish are biting and what bait is bringing them in.

"You'll find a lot of ice fishermen content to just sit on their buckets, but they aren't the ones catching any fish," Vashro said. "I dig a lot of holes and I move around a lot."

Methods for catching fish vary with species and location. Fishing guru for Whitefish's Sportsman Ski Haus, Timber Kolojechuck, enjoys using 'tip ups'; a flag that attaches to the fishing line at the edge of the ice hole. When a fish bites and runs the flag pops up alerting the fisherman.

"You can sit in you truck with the heater on drinking, whatever you happen to be drinking, and watch for your flags to pop up with a pair of binoculars," Kolojechuck explains.

While some sportsmen prefer to fish solo, joining forces with other fishermen increases the odds of keeping a school of fish, especially Kokanee, in one place. A handful of orange flashers or red sweedish pimples in one area dancing on glow hooks tipped with a maggot can whip the Kokanee into a frenzy, Kolojechuck says.

A single fisherman can get the same results with the use of just one 12 inch, bent aluminum lure called a Harring Dodger. This lure attached to a graphite pole, complete and a windshield wiper motor for jigging (the quick pulling up and natural, easy dropping of the lure into the water) not only mesmerizes the fish but saves the fisherman from having to lift the pole up and down for hours on end.

You can also go high tech, with fish detecting sonar or a waterproof camera with up to 60 feet of cable. A nice collapsable ice hut and the warm glow of a Mr. Heater can take the chill off of any ice-fishing expedition.

But the most important weapon in any fisherman's arsenal, besides patience, is his wits.

"You need to think about safety first, foremost and always," Vashro cautioned. "The first ice is the best ice but it is also the most dangerous ice."

Vashro suggests fishing with a partner.

"I usually pick someone bigger than me and follow them out," Vashro joked, but added that it's extremely important to watch for signs of previous foot traffic on the ice. If you have any concerns, dig a hole to test the thickness of the ice before getting too far out.

Even though Vashro has been ice fishing for many years, he has only recently begun to carry an ice pick, 50 feet of rope, life vest, and ice cleats on his boots. This might seem like overkill to some but Vashro says these items become less of a hassle when considering the number of people that fall through the ice each year.

If you are completely new to the sport, pull up a bucket and strike up a conversation with a few ice angling veterans. The year's wisened fisherman is more often than not, willing to share a few of his trade secrets.

Wether your hell bent on catching the 'big one' or just taking in the outdoors, Kolodjechuck confirms that "any day out there is better than your best day in the office."

For additional detailed information about ice fishing contact the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 752-5501 or log on to www.fwp.mt.gov.