Ice Anglers: ELECTRIC ICE AUGER
Ice fishing has come a long way in the past two decades, but nothing has changed it more than the electric ice auger. No more mixing gas, noise, and fumes. The electric augers are quiet, light, and very powerful. You have a few choices in brands and styles. If you fish smaller lakes and ponds, the augers powered by a brushless electric drill are great. I’ve used an 8-inch auger made by Razr Ice Augers in Minnesota. I powered mine with a Dewalt brushless drill (bought separately) and it did the job well. Add a Clam Outdoors Drill Plate with Power Drive for the most state of the art set up. A drill auger is super light and easy to carry on foot or snowshoe.
If you want a more traditional style ice auger, but want electric power, Strikemaster, Jiffy, Ryobi, and Ion make augers that will take a battery. Many people will do fine with a 24-volt auger, but a 40-volt gives you more power on deeper ice. I’d recommend buying a second battery as well, as insurance in cold weather. A 6-inch auger blade will do for trout and walleye, but go 8-inch if your angler likes lake trout and pike. Price around, but know that you’ll be paying several hundred dollars for a good auger.
If you are looking for a great stocking stuffer for the ice angler, pick up some Mighty Mitch and Jungle Joe jig flies. Joe Kostecki, of Thunder Bay, has been tying these handmade jigs for 25 years and they have proven to be deadly on trout, salmon, walleye, pike, and lakers, to name a few fish. The smelt pattern is a go to in the winter, although the Bronze Boomer and Orange Crush are both good choices. The MMJJ jig flies can be bought at D&R Sporting Goods in Thunder Bay, as well as several stores in Nipigon. In Minnesota, Ryden’s carries them as well. Kostecki can also be reached at: 807-823-1501.
Fly Fishing: ROD AND REEL
Anglers in northwestern Ontario and Minnesota who fly fish are a special breed. The water is often bigger and conditions tougher. But fly fishing in this part of the world is exhilarating and demands the best gear. Islander reels are a Canadian made product that combine eye-catching good looks with durability and sheer fishability. I first saw these reels when I was with a guide in Campbell River, British Columbia, in the mid-1990s. The guide swore by them and it turns out Islander reels were quite new then, and made on Vancouver Island. Some fly shops carry Islanders, but they are a rare bird. For online sales, check out: islander.com.
The perfect fly rod to match an Islander fly reel is the Coaster Migratory 8-wt. fly rod by J.A. Henry Rods of Michigan. This small company has created a beautiful and highly functional fly rod that comes in both 9- and 10-foot versions. The rods come in a unique white rod tube with a coaster brook trout image on it. The four piece rod sections come in a cloth bag that looks like brook trout skin. The rod is well suited to fly fishing for large trout, bass, and even pike. Best of all, the first $10,000 in gross sales of the Coaster Fly Rod will go directly to a brook trout research fund managed by Trout Unlimited. It also has quite a reasonable price tag for a premium fly rod. This one you have to order online at: jahenryusa.com. Use the price code of “coaster75” to receive $75 off the fly rod.
Auto Inflate PFD
I am a big believer in wearing a Personal Flotation Device at all times when on the water, because nothing else can save your life if—and when—you fall in. The historic excuse for not wearing a PFD is they are “uncomfortable” or “too hot.” That whole argument goes away with automatic inflation PFD’s. These are the ones that inflate when you fall in the water. If you fish in the rain, they won’t inflate. If you go for a swim, they automatically inflate, and fast. They are narrow, flat, and strap to you in such a way that they don’t get in your way fishing or paddling. I prefer the automatic inflate over a unit that manually requires the user to pull a cord as you could bump your head—or panic—and forget. Several companies make auto inflate PFDs, including Mustang, Stearns, and Onyx. Any PFD is better than no PFD, but if you have a person who you’d like to see wearing a life jacket on the water, this is a good choice.
That’s just a few cool and unique things to consider this Christmas. I wish all readers and friends a safe and happy holiday season.
