MyFishFinder.com Just like iceshanty but warmer
Technically in NH we can’t target trout at night.
I went out New Year’s Eve with the plan of staying for two nights but I left early so as to beat one of if not the most horrific wind storms in south central Alaska history. They were clocking wind speeds in Palmer over 100mph and with single digit temps it got real ugly. I haven’t done a 2 night popup trip in over ten years, all my popup trips are usually a week long minimum so I left the floor at home and just roughed it a little. The whole purpose of this trip was to test some new gear so fishing wasn’t really a priority. I built a new run and gun setup for my snow machine, which I detailed in another thread, and I wanted to test it on a rough bumpy trail. I picked a lake 20+ miles from the lodge and headed out in temps a little warmer than I would have preferred but when you get single digits you just have to deal with the heat. I made it about 5 miles down the trail before I bumped into a momma lynx trying to kill and eat her kitten so I promptly dispatched the both of them.The kitten was limping towards me down the trail and I dispatched her at about 75 yards with a 22.250. I put her in the bag and made it about 50 yards down the trail before momma stepped out and sat down in the trail 20 yards from me. I took a short video and promptly dispatched her with a 22 instead of the big rifle. Needless to say I was feeling a little good so the next 15 miles we’re rather enjoyable. I new there was a potential wind storm on the way so I didn’t want to get to far from the trail so only went out onto the lake about a mile and setup. Something new I was testing this trip was an adjustable pole holding up the ceiling hub to help keep the roof from collapsing from wind or to much weight from hanging stuff off the poles. Little did I know that pole would save my butt. I started playing with my new livescope and am throughly addicted, I caught one small laker and that was it. Right about midnight the wind started and even with a guy lines and a packed down skirt the shack still wanted to collapse in the sustained 40 knot winds. The center pole held everything together perfectly until I decided to pack it in at about 7:30am. I’m certain without that center pole the roof would have collapsed and all hell would have broke loose, I’ve had shacks collapse in heavy winds before but not in negative single digits. I probably could have stayed another night but it was supposed to drop to -20 that night and didn’t feel like dealing with those wind chills. I had a blustery ride back to the lodge and had no issues.My new setup performed better than I expected and I could not be happier. I made the 3 hour drive home just in time for the full brunt of the storm to get started. The wind blew in the valley with sustained winds over 70mph for 5 days with gusts well over 100. There was massive amounts of damage including whole buildings being ripped apart. Some people were with out power and heat for 4 days. The wind is still blowing out there just no where near as bad as it was last week. Luckily us Alaskans are a hearty bunch and we all pitched in to help those in need just like we do in any of our natural disasters. I will be heading up this weekend for one more test run to go over my setup and gear before my month long trip in March. I’ll be taking my floor and big shack and making sure everything is in proper working order. I was hoping for some good cold to really test my stuff but it looks like I’ll have to deal with more single digits. I’ve done a bunch trips at -40 so I kind of know how things should go I’ll just have to pretend it’s that cold. I’ll try to take some pics of my setup and some action photos of my boxes actually fishing instead of just hanging out in the lodge parking lot. I need to test my overflow rescue kit so I’ll defiantly take some pics of that in action and maybe even a fish if I actually get time to fish. Hope you all have a good season and enjoy your time camping on the ice.
Cool thanks I just finished my last vaccine shot and have to check in with arrive Canada app. I will have to have a negative test within 72 hours of crossing the border. I’ll look into the web site, it’s going to be hard to email when I’m 130 miles from cell service.
"I went out New Year’s Eve with the plan of staying for two nights but I left early so as to beat one of if not the most horrific wind storms in south central Alaska history. They were clocking wind speeds in Palmer over 100mph and with single digit temps it got real ugly. I haven’t done a 2 night popup trip in over ten years, all my popup trips are usually a week long minimum so I left the floor at home and just roughed it a little. The whole purpose of this trip was to test some new gear so fishing wasn’t really a priority. I built a new run and gun setup for my snow machine, which I detailed in another thread, and I wanted to test it on a rough bumpy trail. I picked a lake 20+ miles from the lodge and headed out in temps a little warmer than I would have preferred but when you get single digits you just have to deal with the heat." holy smokes, i will never complain on how cold or windy it is icefishing here in Ct. this is the Bahamas here for you guys. absolutely amazing trip and adventure you did. the whole trip blew my mind lol. plus the bonus of some nice fur on top of it. i dont even know if we should could call it icefishing here lol. best of luck icefishing and surviving making a mistake is trully a live or death situation
this is awesome, thank you! One day i'll build out a floor. I'm debating something like you have there, blocked into sections but I'd definitely need a bigger utility sled. Or i've though about building a floor and basically folding it in half and use the support blocks as ski's. that way it is dual purpose as a floor and a sled.
Sick floor. Amazed by the inginuity in this thread.
Akhardwater thank you for sharing the photos and report from your recent trip. Steve
Id like to camp champlain again this year maybe later season, swanton/alburg area if you want to get down!
If you guys are up for some company Hawkeye and I have been talking about a Champlain trip for a while.
Company is best for these missions. Ive gone solo and its fun but company helps. Thinking alburg area. Eyes at night.