My dad never complained about hand-auguring twelve holes outlining a square, chiseling the brackets to free a block of thick ice and dragging a heavy wooden fish house over-top so he and I could enjoy our winters watching fish swim beneath our feet in the clear water we called home. Although we were committed to angling, a larger spear hole was our window to the environment below and I’ll never forget seeing a bluegill take my jig, or how fast I could run out the door when a vehicle would drive by, the water dancing as the ice strained and creaked while my father assured me we were not destined for the bottom of the lake. The effort required to enjoy ice fishing those 25 years ago was much different than today, but then again the effort was part of what we deemed “fishing”.
Today the term “fishing” seems applicable only to the time a line is actually in the water. Who knows, maybe in another 25 years “fishing” will be justified solely by the time it takes to actually land a fish. Everything else will be considered preparation and a stellar outing might include twenty minutes of “fishing”.
This year there are definitely more tools to make our ice fishing trips easier and more successful compared to any time in the past. It seems effortless to maneuver a four- wheel-drive vehicle through some backroads to unload an ATV or snowmobile to tow numerous computerized, motorized, and specialized items to assist in making your fishing trip even easier. In fact there are even some people who decide not to venture out on an ice fishing trip because they might not have the most up-to-date materials or methods, which is a tragedy.
With the advent of high-tech gadgets, computers and gaming systems, our nation’s youth are at great risk for missing out on some of the great activities that Mother Nature provides. Fishing can be a high-tech endeavor, or a low-tech adventure, but either way the entire experience is “fishing”. “Fishing” is a stop at the baitshop on the way out of town. It’s a stiff north wind that hurts every time you remove your gloves to take off a fish and “fishing” is time spent by yourself, or maybe with a friend. Sometimes you’re with family, other times with strangers, but anytime it’s a blast.
In the next year, make it a point to introduce at least one individual to fishing. Either on the ice or on the water that person will never forget the experience. You don’t have to go on a trip to catch a trophy fish, but revel in the light of catching a mistake; a bass that fell for your crappie minnow or a bullhead that you swore was an eater ‘eye when it hit. And even if the fish fail to cooperate, don’t apologize, but remember that fishing is every part of the experience. Even if it means hand-auguring twelve holes to open up a window to a world they never knew even existed.
P.S. - Thanks Dad.