A dry run, renovations, and a new personal best

The ice fishing season has officially started! Not with a bang, but with a whimper. I went out for a couple of hours on Saturday on Dotty Lake to test out my gear. Originally, the plan was to go all the way to Camp Lake, but it seems that the end of Limberlost Road isn't maintained year-round. There were a few other fishermen out on the lake. Remember to talk to your fellow anglers: they may give you important bits of information and local knowledge. Just make sure to reciprocate!

I tried a few spots on Dotty Lake, fishing in depths that ranged from ten to thirty feet, but didn't mark any fish. This was the first time I took my dog fishing with me, which was very exciting for both of us, and also the first time I tried out my new Rapala ice shelter. I did quite a bit of research before choosing this model, and so far I'm very happy with it. The pop up-style is best for one person, especially if you're walking. It weighs about 18 pounds and can be worn like a backpack. It isn't insulated, but it's definitely warmer than being outside. It's very easy to set-up and take down: the whole process lasts only a minute or two. 

My parents came up to Huntsville in the evening. They each played integral roles in putting up this spiffy rod rack. The product's design itself isn't great: it's a cheap product from Bass Pro Shops, so you get what you pay for. The pieces of wood behind the rack do not come with the rack, and their purpose is to prevent reels from hitting the wall. This is one of several design flaws. But at least my 7'10" rod has a new home: my basement ceilings aren't high enough to keep it on my vertical rack. Some people say the horizontal ones aren't great because rods may eventually bow, but I don't have much of a choice. 

The next day I went fishing on Mary Lake. First, I dropped by the Utterson General Store. They are in the process of obtaining a permit from MNR and will be selling live bait shortly (it's also a great place to grab some food before or after hitting the ice). It was an absolutely beautiful day on the lake, and unlike the previous day, I marked a number of fish. I set myself up in 46 feet of water and most of the fish were suspended in 20 feet, with a handful closer to the bottom. Unfortunately, it was another tough day. I use that word very loosely.

Nothing worked, despite my best efforts. I was a bit mad at myself for not charging my sonar the night before. It died not too long into the outing. I threw just about all of my new baits from January and December's Mystery Tackle Boxes. At least, eventually, I broke the ice with this unofficial world record: smallest fish ever caught with a rod and reel. 

Clearly, there's much work to be done, and it's back to the drawing board. This year, my goal isn't only to catch more fish, but also to catch them using a number of new and different techniques. Next weekend I plan on doing some drinking with my friend Ian fishing in the Peterborough area, but that will really depend on the weather. A week of relatively high temperatures won't help the cause. Mary Lake only had about 3.5" of good black ice, which borders on being unsafe even for walking. 

In other blogs news, my very talented friend Matt Zyla and I (best known on here for designing this lure) are embarking on a new project: an animated fishing video! Matt has already done some rough sketches of the characters. They look incredible, but I'm not allowed to share them just yet. So stay tuned for more!

And check out Matt's new portfolio website.

Greg Cholkan is a lawyer and fisherman. He works in Muskoka with Barriston LLP and his practice focuses on real estate, wills and estates, and business matters. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

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