With Catskill winter already baring its teeth, most anglers have reluctantly stopped fishing, even though rivers are now open to catch and release from October through March. We now take on the …
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With Catskill winter already baring its teeth, most anglers have reluctantly stopped fishing, even though rivers are now open to catch and release from October through March. We now take on the activities associated with this time of year, such as cutting firewood, shopping for Christmas presents, checking tackle and tying flies.
Some of us write.
Although I mostly fish with a fly rod these days, and with a variety of flies, that was not always the case. Years ago when the fishing and hunting seasons ended and ice formed, we went ice fishing.
Most of the time we used tip-ups; each angler was allowed five. After our tip-ups were set and baited with shiners, sometimes we would bore another hole and begin jigging.
Jigging is a technique wherein a short rod—with either a built-in reel or small spinning reel—is rigged with a very light line and a lure attached. The lure is then dropped through a hole in the ice and allowed to reach the bottom. Once it is at the bottom, it is lifted off a few inches, and then the rod is slowly and methodically jigged up and down, imparting action to the lure.
We used a variety of lures for jigging. Most were metal, with a little weight, like Swedish Pimples and jigging Rapalas. We did not add bait to this type of lure. They were used when jigging for trout, pickerel, pike and walleye.
When we jigged for panfish, such as perch, crappies and sunfish, the same kinds of nymphs that we used for trout fishing was used for those panfish. Sometimes we added mealworms or maggots as bait.
Once set up for jigging, we continuously checked our tip-ups in case there was a strike; at the same time we continuously moved our little rods up and down.
Over the years that we ice fished, there always seemed to be periods of peak activity, with gray days, and the last hour provided the most action. Fish like perch and crappies are school fish, constantly on the move, usually in fairly large numbers. So if one is caught, there will be others. When the strikes stop, that means the school has moved on, so anglers will have to drill new holes to try and find the fish again.
Ice fishing can provide periods of furious action, with tip-ups popping, and jigging that produces good catches of panfish. There also can be extended periods with little or no action. Some of those slow periods are caused by weather, with low pressure being a deciding, negative factor.
While I know that most fly fishers are not likely to take up ice fishing, I’m hopeful that there might be a few that have enough interest in the sport to check it out, get outside for a little action, away from the mundane activities of winter.
There’s not a lot of equipment required when it comes to ice fishing, especially when compared to trout fishing. Forget about the tip-ups. All ice fishermen need is a jigging rod, some nymphs, split shot and some mealworms or maggots. A foldable seat is a plus. The angler will also need an ice auger or an ice chisel to make holes. That being said, we as anglers have a tendency to add more and more equipment as we evolve as fishermen.
When I was actively ice fishing, I made a little sled, which was used to carry my gear but also served as a seat. Eventually, I purchased a small shelter to use as a windbreak. While all of that equipment is not necessary, it makes a day on the ice more pleasant and comfortable. Folks who are really into ice fishing, especially where the ice is thick, usually purchase a gas-powered auger. We don’t get that level of ice around here. If I recall correctly, four to six inches is about what we would have to drill through for a day of fishing.
As far as lures are concerned for panfish, I found prince nymphs and hare’s ear nymphs to be good choices. Sizes 10 and 12 are perfect, keeping in mind that most panfish have small mouths. Since these nymphs have very little weight, anglers will need to add a split to get them to the right depth. I always attached one fly to the end of the line, then a second fly as a dropper, about a foot to 18 inches above. Split shot can be added in between. Just remember, lead shot is no longer permitted for fishing in New York State. Adding a maggot or mealworm to those nymphs will definitely bring more strikes.
In some states and on some lakes, ice fishing is a big-time winter sport. For example, on Lake Champlain, there are ice houses, vendors selling all kinds of food, tournaments and a great deal of camaraderie among fishermen. And while jigging with nymphs can in no way be considered traditional fly fishing, it is a way for anglers to catch a variety of fish species through the ice, using flies.
Anglers interested in trying ice fishing and jigging with flies, should check frozen, local lakes to see if there’s any fishing activity. If there is, take a walk onto the ice to see how anglers are doing. Then decide whether you wish to try the sport or not. Just make sure to dress warmly and that the ice is safe, which means around four inches in thickness.
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