Ice fishing is here and I will be the first one to admit that I am far from an expert at it, so I will be using a great source of information for the next few issues and we will learn together.
This wonderful Mecca of information is of course our local tackle shops; they are owned and operated by avid fishermen who talk to the other ice fisherman as they come into the store about the latest hot spots and baits.
Safety comes first! Beware of thin ice. According to the Iowa DNR it takes at least 4 inches of ice to support one adult. Lakes do not freeze uniformly, there may be 4 or 5 inches of ice in one area and only an inch or less in other areas, Dan at Hank’s bait and tackle in Waterloo warns this is especially true at Big Woods Lake in Cedar Falls. Dan urges people to check the ice as they venture out. “If you are headed to a lake or a section of a lake for the first time, drill holes and check the depth of the ice every so often just to be sure it’s safe”.
Falling through the ice can obviously be disastrous but it is not the only danger of ice fishing, you also need to protect yourself from hypothermia and frostbite. Frostbite is the localized freezing of tissue. The extremities (nose, ears, fingers, and toes) are most susceptible. In the early stages of frostbite, the skin around the affected area will look flushed and you will feel burning, itching, tingling, or numbness in the area. A frostbitten area will turn whitish to yellowish and appear waxy as ice crystals form under the skin. Do not rub a frostbitten area to warm it. The ice crystals in the tissue can cause further damage, if rubbed or moved around. Do not warm the area by a fire. The area will be numb and you may not realize you’re being burned. The best way to slowly warm a frostbitten area is to place it near warm skin. For cold hands, the armpits or abdomen are usually the warmest areas where they can be placed. A warm hand works best for ears and nose. Once frostbitten, that area will be more susceptible to refreezing.
Hypothermia is the actual lowering of the body’s temperature – the body loses heat faster than it can be generated – and can be very serious. Extremely cold temperatures are not necessary to induce hypothermia. Dampness and wind, with mild temperatures (40 to 50 °F) can bring it on.
Shivering is the first sign of hypothermia. As it progresses, the victim may develop coordination problems, blurred vision, nausea, and slurred speech and may lose the ability to think clearly, to reason, or to remember. Get a hypothermia victim dry and warm as fast as possible. A warm shelter out of the wind and warm, dry, insulated clothes and covers are a first step. Give them hot liquids (Cocoa or tea - not alcohol, which causes dilation of the blood vessels and further cooling). If the person is unconscious, shivering uncontrollably, drowsy, or having difficulty breathing, keep them as warm as possible and get immediate medical attention. Dressing properly and in layers is a great way to help avoid either of these dangers. Next issue will cover equipment and techniques. Until next time keep your lure wet!
