Spiel

The fish are starting to perk up Terry Curtis / northumberlandtoday.com They're almost over. The February blahs, that is. Pretty soon we'll be moving into the best of all ice fishing months: March. The longer days and sunlight start to penetrate the ice and seem to get the fish a little more active. They begin to bite more often and a little more voraciously than they have all winter, even at first ice, which is one of my favourite times of year for line dunking. There's nothing like fishing in the wide open air on a balmy March day, coat open, lawn chair holding your butt up off the ice and the fish tugging away at your bait. Not only do you know the worst of the winter weather is behind you then, but your thoughts start drifting ahead to the hot, sultry days of summer as well. And nothing turns up my interest in summer fishing like the thought of tossing a crankbait that is brand new on the market. Anyone who has read my Terry's Tips column over the years knows I'm a crankbait fanatic and I'd have to say they are my 'money bait' in tournaments, be they bass or walleye. When the money is on the line I turn to a crankbait every time. Sure, I may not get as many bites as I would on plastics, but I get bigger bites and that's what counts come weigh-in time. Also, anyone who is a regular reader of my column knows I'm a diehard Rapala crankbait flinger. I swear by them. In my mind they are the best, bar none. But this past weekend I was introduced to a new crankbait called Live Target, life-like lures made by the Koppers fishing and tackle corporation and I can't wait to hit the water with them. I've never seen a more life-like bait. These things just jump out of the box at you. Developed by Grant Koppers, a guide out of the Niagara Falls area who fishes for salmon, trout, walleye and bass, these lures are almost too pretty to dunk in the water. You can actually feel the scales on them, and the colours are so life-like you'll think you're looking at a live perch or crawfish. How much do I like them? Sometimes you don't have to use a bait to know it's going to work for you. Time and experience tell you that. And as you read this, I'm trying to get the selling rights for Southern Ontario for these baits. I may have been born at night, but not last night. You can bet I'll be busting the water with them come May for walleye and those bass won't know what hit them come the last Saturday in June. In the meantime though, I hear the jumbo perch are just starting to co-operate on Lake Simcoe and the trout are hitting in the Minden/Haliburton area. Ice fishing isn't over yet, no matter how bad I want to bust out those crankbaits.

Icebreaker will be here Saturday February 29, 2008 / owensoundsuntimes.com The Canadian Coast Guard has sent a warning to anglers, snowmobilers and anyone else who might be on the ice in Owen Sound Bay on Saturday. The coast guard "will be conducting icebreaking operations through the shipping channel into Owen Sound in support of commercial shipping," according to a news release. "Ice fishers, snowmobilers and other recreational users of the ice are strongly advised to remain well clear of the icebreaker's track. Spring ice conditions will result in hazardous and unstable conditions." Coast guard officials could not say Thursday when the icebreaker will be pulling into the harbour because the timing depends on variables including conditions on its trip through Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River. For more information call the Coast Guard operations office at 1-800-265-0237.

....I'm guessing it had frozen then thawed before cleaning, yes? I try not to let them freeze and if they do filet while still semi-frozen then cook, don't refreeze!

....Man do I need a day like that. Thanks for sharing, I think?

Giant Mudcat Still Alive February 27, 2008 KAREN BEST / dunnvillechronicle.com A tourist attraction that may become recognized by Guiness World Records is still in its spawning stage for now. According to Jack Hooghiem, the Giant Mudcat statue project is alive and momentum exists to bring the project to fruition. Haldimand County Coun. Lorne Boyko is awaiting the unveiling of the giant fish statue that will be 15 metres (50 feet) long and eight metres (27 feet) high. "This could be our claim to fame in the Guiness Book of Records," he says hoping the fish will draw in the predicted 10,000 tourists a year. The statue will be a representation of a channel catfish which can grow longer than 48 centimetres and is known as the grand daddies of the mudcat, he adds. The only thing standing in the way of a Dunnville world record is a location. "We're waiting for council to make a decision on 106 Main," said Hooghiem, who is chair of the Big Mudcat committee. "We have no position on what to do with the building but if that location becomes available we would like to put it there. If it is not knocked down or moved, we will enter into discussions about Thompson Creek Park." Council has offered Thompson Creek to the group, said Boyko. This county owned park is located on Highway 3 at the Dunnville's western gateway and has ample parking and other amenities may be developed there, he added. After listening to varied opinions about the statue for more than a year, Boyko found that this park was the most acceptable location for most people. "They can live with it in that location. I think that's the place," he said. If the statue is erected at Wingfield Park, parking will congested Main Street and downtown, creating a negative impact on the core, he noted. In his opinion, Boyko believed it was better to promote downtown businesses on a sign located near the big fish statue in Thompson Creek Park. "I'm not buying that you have to put this or anything else in the downtown in order to capitalize on it," he said. Service club support remains in place. The Dunnville Kinsmen club has already donated $5,000 and has committed to another $2,500, said club president Dave Welch. "We will commit whatever is necessary no matter where that (statue) will be," he stated at a service club dinner. Meanwhile another community group hoped to see the Braund House at 106 Main Street in Wingfield Park preserved where it stands and converted into a tourism centre, artisan market and museum for exhibiting agricultural, Dutch and First Nations artifacts. Late last year, the Dunnville Culture and Heritage Foundation submitted to council a business plan for operations and preservation of the Braund House, named after its original owner tin smith William Braund. Council members are awaiting a staff report reviewing the business plan. Even though demolition costs are listed in this year's capital budget, they are on hold pending the outcome of the report.

Bell, Joyce Georgina / yorkregion.com Feb 28, 2008 / John Slykhuis Joe Montgomery, 85 of Niagara, the oldest competitor, hooks a perch. He has been in every one of the tournaments. Sutton’s Jeff Bell and Sudbury’s Mike Joyce landed three big whitefish on the second day of competion to win the Canadian Ice Fishing Championship last weekend. Bell and Joyce, got a solid start on perch day to open the annual tournament, but it wasn’t enough to catch Don Meacham and Barry Lance, The Lunker Catchers, who held the lead going into day two with more than nine pounds weighed in for the maximum 15 perch. The pair, both Georgina firefighters, were awarded the Roger Kett plaque. Second place went to John Delicata of Innisfil and partner Vlado Crljen of Mississauga. They walked off with a cheque for $3,400 and the silver medal. Crljen also took the Dan Perry Award for biggest lake trout, a 28-incher. Past champ Norm Joyce won the John Reddings Award for biggest whitefish at 26 inches. The team of Rhonda Hamilton and John Blazys of Jackson’s Point scored enough to win the mixed doubles medals. Hamilton also walked off with the Jean Power trophy for top female. The pair finished 10th, enough to get into the money pool. David Hamilton and Mike Levesque of Sutton won the bronze medal for third, pocketing $2,380. When all the measuring and weighing was done, Bell and Joyce ended up as top point getters, accepting their gold medals and a cheque for $6,800. The duo came close last year, with a third place finish. “We did (well) on the first day and caught 15 perch all of really good size,” Bell said. “We were landing the fish right from the start.” The pair also got off to a quick start Sunday getting some action soon after casting their lines. Bell pulled in two 25-inch whities, while Joyce hooked another one. Two other whitefish managed to throw the hook, Bell said. Joyce is related to the past championship winners the Georgina Joyce clan. “I taught him everything he knows,” his uncle Brian Joyce said grinning. On rules night at the CIFC headquarters Kin Hall Friday, Sutton Home Hardware owner Dave Haynes was awarded the prestigious Bill Bond Memorial Trophy for his contributions to ice fishing. The 70 two-person teams enjoyed spectacular weather Saturday and Sunday with bright sunshine and excellent ice conditions. Competitors included Joe Montgomery, 85, the oldest taking part. Mr. Montgomery from Niagara has attended all 14 championships. Madsen said he was delighted with how smoothly this year’s championship went. For more results and details on the upcoming perch “Trap Attack”, go to www.cifc.org Biggest Tourney Saturday This Saturday is the Lake Simcoe Ice Fishing Tournament, Canada’s largest single-day event on Cook’s Bay off Clarendon Beach. Several thousand anglers are expected to descend on Keswick for the annual event where about $100,000 in prizes are to be handed out, including a grand prize of $20,000 in cash. An ATV, Argo and more than 125 other prizes will be awarded. Registration will be accepted on tournament day. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the cost is $80 per person. Locally, tickets can be purchased at Canadian Tire in Keswick. For more details go to www.originalicefishingcontest.com

HEFTY $10,600 FINE FOR HAVING TOO MANY FISH FEBRUARY 2008 THUNDER BAY - A Thunder Bay man has been fined $10,600 for having a lot more fish than allowed. The man was fined $6,000 for having 30 walleye over the legal limit and $4,600 for having 23 brook trout over the legal limit and forfeits the fish to the Crown. During a police investigation in January 2006, an OPP officer discovered a lot of fish in the freezers at the man’s residence. The officer seized the fish and turned it over to a Ministry of Natural Resources Thunder Bay District conservation officer. After investigating, the conservation officer laid charges against the man and the other occupant of the home. At a trial in November 2006, they were each fined $4,200, but both of the accused successfully appealed and got a new trial. At the new trial on February 6, 2008, the man claimed that the fish belonged to a First Nation person, but was unable to produce that person for questioning at trial. The man was convicted. The Crown withdrew charges against the second person. The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay. The ministry reminds the public that fishing regulations are in place to ensure the sustainability of the fishery so that anglers may enjoy the resource in the future.

FEBRUARY 2008 LOCAL ANGLER FINED AGAIN AND BANNED FROM FISHING SAULT STE. MARIE — A repeat natural resource violator has been fined $800.00 for fishing violations. A man from Heyden, was convicted of trespassing and failing to produce his fishing licence. He is banned from fishing in Ontario for two years and forfeits his fishing equipment. If he does not pay his fines within a year, the fishing ban may be extended. Court was told that on June 5, 2007, a conservation officer received two complaints that people were trespassing on the CN railway bridge at the St. Marys rapids in Sault Ste. Marie. The man did not have his fishing licence with him but claimed he had bought one. He failed to produce it even when an officer gave him time. This was his second conviction for not having a fishing licence and the second for trespassing in the same location. He hadn’t paid previous fines either. The case was heard in the Ontario Provincial Court in Sault Ste. Marie on February 7, 2008. Members of the public are reminded that trespassing on any of the railway bridges at the historic canal is both unsafe and illegal.

Fisherman may have been infected by his quarry Monday February 25, yahoo.com Fishing writer Ross Millichamp remains in a serious condition at Christchurch Hospital with a flesh-eating disease -- apparently after being bitten by a fish. A hospital spokeswoman said tonight the author of the 1997 guide, Salmon Fever, was "still seriously ill". Doctors are reported to have suggested that he may have been bitten by a fish while fishing for barracuda and blue cod off the coast of Stewart Island last week. Mr Millichamp, a manager for Fish and Game, was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection, necrotising fasciitis, after he had to be evacuated from the hunting and fishing trip with friends. He was reported to have initially experienced flu-like symptoms which turned into pain and stiffness in his shoulder and he was taken by helicopter to Invercargill Hospital. At Invercargill the infection was diagnosed and surgeons cut out part of the muscle around the affected shoulder area on Monday last week to try to stop the infection spreading. He was then moved to intensive care at Christchurch Hospital, where he has been unconscious and on life-support, with his wife Ginny by his side. Necrotising fasciitis can destroy skin and the soft tissues beneath it, including fat and the tissue covering the muscles. One form of the disease has been reported to occur where wounds are exposed to ocean water or the drippings from raw saltwater fish, including oysters.

Study: Keeping larger fish may facilitate timid ones Scientists Say Rules May Help Timid Fish By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID The Associated Press Monday, February 25, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Rules that allow only the catching of larger fish may encourage their replacement with slower growing, more timid varieties. That, at least, is the concern of researchers who studied test populations in two artificial lakes and report their findings in this week's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Peter A. Biro of the department of environmental science at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, explained that it's the fast-growing more aggressive fish that tend to get caught, removing them from the breeding pool. That leaves reproduction up to slower-growing fish who are more timid, he explained in an interview via e-mail. "This will cause evolution to slower growth rates and slow the rate of recovery for fished populations, and could explain why fisheries tend not to rebound in the manner we expect after we reduce harvest or close a fishery," he said. "What surprised me was how fast it occurred," Biro said. He said the largest catch occurred on the first day of fishing. Biro and his colleague, John R. Post, stocked two lakes in western Canada with different types of rainbow trout _ one type was known to be aggressive in seeking food and to grow rapidly, while the other grew more slowly and tended to take fewer risks in foraging. They set gillnets in the ponds over five days, moving them each day, and caught 50 percent of the stocked fast-growing fish but just 30 percent of the more cautious ones. "Fish that are highly active and bold tend to bump into these nets more often and are less likely to avoid them," he explained. And increased activity is necessary to get enough food for rapid growth. John Waldman, an aquatic biologist at Queens College in New York, called the report important. "Harvest of fishes is probably the most profound impact mankind is having on the sea, yet we rarely succeed in even the basics of achieving long-term sustainability of important commercial species," said Waldman, who was not part of the research team. The report shows that "differences in 'boldness,' which are positively correlated with grow rate, render bold individuals more vulnerable to harvest, thereby adding an important and, till now, unconsidered direct effect to the known indirect effect" of fishing, Waldman said. "The implication for managers is that the continued reproduction of a meaningful portion of fast growing individuals is likely even more important than previously recognized," he said. The research was supported by the University of Technology Sydney and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

....Found this, this morning. Missing man found safe and sound By Kate Adams / BayToday.ca Monday, February 25, 2008 OPP News Release ********************* North Bay – Peter Goulais was reported missing on Sunday evening, February 24th, 2008, after he failed to return home from his fishing trip. An extensive search was conducted by members of the North Bay OPP detachment, OPP helicopter, members of the S.A.V.E. unit as well as North Bay Police Service. Sn Peter Goulais, 48 years old, of Garden Village was located in good health on Monday afternoon near Burnt Island on Lake Nipissing. GOULAIS failed to return home last evening when his snowmobile broke down and got turned around when he attempted to walk to safety.

....Can't find anything in the news this morning Randy? I hope it all ends well.

:D

Hmmmmm, I thought I was the only one.

Sediment will be cleaned up; Baird says government will provide $3.3M to address pollutants in St. Clair River CATHY DOBSON / The Sarnia Observer February 25, 2008 Contaminated sediment along an eight-kilometre stretch of the St. Clair River will finally be cleaned up 23 years after it was identified as a concern, Canada's Environment Minister announced in Sarnia Saturday. John Baird said the federal government is providing $3.3 million to immediately address mercury and other organic pollutants along the shoreline from Dow's property to Corunna. "We are committed not to talk, not to study but to take direct action on environmental remediation," said Baird. He told a crowd of about 75 community leaders gathered at the St. Clair Corporate Centre that he understands that water quality is important to the economy and wellbeing of Sarnia-Lambton residents. "Unfortunately the river is not as healthy as it should be. Urbanization, heavy industry and agriculture have all taken their toll," he said. While studies of the pollutants were done in the 1990s and industry has taken steps to clean up its own contaminants, no government money has been spent on remediation yet. Baird said the $3.3 million is a "starting point". "We can't stop here. To succeed, we need to explore collaboration with provincial and local stakeholders," he said. Baird is announcing several other water remediation projects across Ontario this week but the Harper government's investment in the St. Clair River is one of the largest. The 2007 budget included $18 million for the clean up of seven sites, including the St. Clair River, aid Roger Santiago, a sediment remediation specialist with Environment Canada. He will work with numerous organizations including the Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association, the province, the Aamjiwnaang and Walpole Island natives to determine the best way to deal with the contaminated sediment. There are numerous pockets of pollutants along the eight-kilometre stretch that will likely require different types of treatment, Santiago said. "Dredging might be involved, we may cap it or let it recover naturally. Those decisions will be made over the next year," he said. Baird said that by 2010 he wants the physical clean-up to start and be completed by 2012. He credited local MPs Pat Davidson and Bev Shipley for advocating for the money and convincing government the St. Clair requires a large investment. "This is wonderful news," Davidson said. "Local industry has stepped up to the plate. Now the federal government is here as well." "It's something we need for our community, for our children and for our future in Sarnia-Lambton." St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold said he believes Ottawa is making the St. Clair River a priority. "This is not a token amount," he said. "I look forward to more funding,"

Family fishing event lures anglers; 'Here fishy fishy,' child calls to icy waters Courtney Whalen / orilliapacket.com February 25, 2008 Four-year-old Travis Moxham was angling to leave Lake Couchiching with more than just time spent in the fresh air and sunshine Saturday afternoon. He had his heart set on a fish. "A really, really big one," he said. The Moxham family, dad Tim, mom Jen, Travis and his little brother Kyle, 2, drove from their home in New Lowell, outside of Barrie, to Orillia for Family Fishing Weekend. The weekend, one of two held in Ontario each year, allows fishing with no licence to promote the sport in the province. The second weekend is being held in July this year. "It's family fishing weekend so it's all legal (for us to be out here)," said Tim Moxham as he and his family trudged out onto Lake Couchiching from Tudhope Park. "This way it gets everybody out." While Travis and Kyle have been out fishing with their dad on Georgian Bay, having to drill through the ice to reach the water was new to them. "It's my first time for ice fishing," said Travis. Once they found a spot, Travis, Kyle and mom Jen watched Tim bore holes in the ice and get them set up for their first winter catch. As his dad helped him bait his hook, Travis' mind settled on a subject important to many children, and adults too. "Do we have snacks?" After being assured there were snacks on hand, Travis settled down to wait for the fish to start to bite. Little brother Kyle was trying a different tack to encourage the fish to bite. "Here fishy fishy," he called into his fishing hole. "It's good to get people out because I wouldn't buy a licence," said Jen of the family fishing weekend. Travis said once the family was done fishing Saturday afternoon they planned to meet his grandma and grandpa for lunch.

Plenty of families take the bait; Family fishing weekend at hit at Callander Bay, Otter Lake Gord Young / North Bay Nugget February 25, 2008 A break in the recent cold spell this weekend was the only bait required to get families hooked on fishing. Both experienced and rookie anglers took to the ice across the area as Ontario marked its annual family fishing weekend when Canadian residents can fish licence-free. The open fishing weekend, coupled with temperatures that hovered just below the freezing mark, lured Ginette and Dean Hamelin out of their heated home for an afternoon with their family on the ice in Callander Bay on Lake Nipissing. "We're meeting my brother and his two friends . . . they're originally from Africa and have never ice fished before," said Ginette, who headed onto the ice with her father, who was lugging an auger, and her husband, who was pulling a sled carrying their two-year-old son, Sebastien. Although the licence-free weekend was an incentive for many occasional and first-time anglers, there were plenty of people among the clusters of ice huts on the lake that would have fished anyway. Organizers estimated nearly 200 people participated Saturday in the Callander Legion's 15th annual ice fishing derby, which happened to coincide with family fishing weekend. "It was a perfect day, but we've always had a good turnout," said Bruce Rodgers, who helped organize the derby. He said plenty of fish were caught. The largest included a 24-inch walleye - just over the slot size - and a 32-inch northern pike. Rick Degans, who travelled from Huntsville with his two young boys to try his hand at catching some Lake Nipissing walleye, wasn't even aware of the licence-free weekend. "They say you can actually catch fish here," said Degans, who apparently hasn't had much luck fishing in the Huntsville area this winter. When his two boys weren't fishing, they were tossing snow and sliding on the ice - a scene repeated countless times throughout the weekend by other children who took to area lakes with their families, including those who participated Saturday in the North Bay Hunters and Anglers perch derby on Otter Lake. "We had a nice sunny day and the wind stayed away until late afternoon," said club president Robert Taylor, noting an estimated 40 people, mostly parents and their children, took part in the event. Taylor said the first derby for the club in recent years was aimed at taking advantage of the licence-free weekend and promoting Otter Lake for outdoor recreational use. Although the fish weren't really biting - only about a dozen were caught, with an eight-inch perch taking the top price - Taylor said the event was a great success. Plenty of prizes were given out but, most importantly, he said the children participating in the event had fun.

....Wouldn't it also be a "fantasy world" where with the stroke of a pen one could reclass a course fish to sport fish? Because a biologist says it so?

....Oh indeed there is Glen. You can find Quinte consumption guidlines here (sections 9, 10 & 11) and the rest of the province available here.

....If the old/used holes are vacant I don't see it as a problem. Also keeping your distance from others already fishing would be prudent. Take along a spud bar if you have one or hatchet/axe to open any holes that may have refroze over night. Welcome to the board.

News Release / Government Takes Action to Help Protect the Bay of Quinte MP Kramp and Norlock Deliver: Trenton, Ontario, February 22, 2008 - Darryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings and Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland-Quinte West, on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister John Baird, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing up to $200,000 to help protect and preserve the Bay of Quinte. "Our Government is committed to clean water and clean air, and to delivering results for Canadians," said Mr. Kramp. "Today's action will contribute to safeguarding the health of our families and ensure that we protect and preserve this great Bay of Quinte for the benefit of everyone in our communities." The Government of Canada funding will be used to monitor the waters of the Bay of Quinte and protect its precious ecosystem from contaminated sediment . The four-year monitoring project will begin in 2008 and be completed in 2012. "This important work will contribute to safeguarding the health of our families and protecting the quality of life in our communities," said Mr. Norlock. "Together with support from local stakeholders, we are working toward ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for the citizens in the region who rely on the Bay of Quinte for fishing and recreation." This major investment to clean up the Bay of Quinte is part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Clean Water. The Government has also taken action to protect water quality, including tough new regulations against the dumping of raw sewage and improving raw sewage treatment in municipalities and first nation communities across Canada. These measures will help filter out substances like phosphates, which can lead to excessive blue-green algae production. Backgrounder, Protecting the Bay of Quinte

News Release / Government of Canada Takes Action to Clean Up the St. Clair River Davidson and Baird Deliver for Sarnia-Lambton SARNIA, Ontario, February 23, 2008 - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, and Pat Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing up to $3.3 million to clean up the St. Clair River. "Our Government recognizes the need for action to protect and improve the health of Canada's freshwater," said Minister Baird. "Cleaning up contaminated sediment from waterways such as the St. Clair River is good for our communities, our families, and our environment. " Together with the Province of Ontario and in consultation with local stakeholders, the Government of Canada will develop a sediment management strategy for the site. Remedial options could include capping and/or dredging, disposal of contaminated sediment and long-term monitoring. The clean-up project will begin in 2010 and be completed by 2012. "Cleaning up the St. Clair River will benefit not only ecosystem health but also the economies of local communities, including Sarnia and Walpole Island," said Mrs. Davidson. "Together with our local stakeholders, we are working to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the nearly 170,000 citizens in this area, most of whom rely on the river for drinking water." This major investment to clean up the St. Clair River is part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Clean Water. Recently, the Government has also taken action to protect water quality, including tough new regulations against the dumping of raw sewage and improving raw sewage treatment in municipalities and First Nation communities across Canada. These measures will help filter out substances like phosphates, which can lead to excessive blue-green algae production. Backgrounder on the St. Clair River clean-up project.

Fish in a Flash Friday, February 22, 2008 By David Figura / Outdoors editor syracuse.com Rob Goffredo says he took his wife ice fishing and at one point told her to jerk her line even before she felt a fish bite. She laughed at the advice, but it was probably right. The reason? Electronics. Goffredo was using a Vexilar flasher unit to track her lure and any fish coming at it or around it. "Electronics have made ice fishermen far more efficient," said Goffredo, head of the fishing department and pro staffer at Gander Mountain's Cicero store. "Instead of just opening a hole and wondering if there's any fish there, you just lower the transducer in the hole and you know everything that's going on. The depth, whether there's fish, weeds. "It's like playing a video game." Dick Hyde Jr., team leader in the fishing department at the Bass Pro Shops store in the Fingerlakes Mall, said those using electronics while ice fishing on North Bay on Oneida Lake have been "slaughtering" the walleyes this winter. "It won't be like that always, but most guys are getting their limit within an hour," he said. Electronics have been around for several decades, but the current crop of electronic offerings seem to eliminate a lot of the guesswork on the ice. The equipment breaks down to four categories: Flasher units: These devices use flashing lights on a clock-like face to show the water depth, your lure and any fish in the immediate area. It's color-coded, with anything directly beneath the hole appearing in red (including the bottom). Anything nearby is green. As a fish gets closer, the flashing light changes to orange and then red. It's accurate and it's the closest thing to a "real time" image of what's down there Liquid crystal units: These work on the same principle as a fish-finder or depth-finder on a boat. You get a more elaborate picture, with a view of the bottom, contours, fish, etc. - but it's not TV. There's a delay. The fish you see on the screen (if they're swimming) may not actually be there when you lower your lure. The more expensive ones have Global Positioning Satellite features. Hand-held GPS devices:[b/] If you want to remember a previous hot spot or a location you scouted from your boat during warmer weather, just punch in the coordinates. It's another way to eliminate the guesswork. Underwater cameras: You can lower a fish-shaped camera attached to a cable down into the hole and see what's there on a small TV screen. Some use blue and red lights to help you see. Others use infra-red light. Goffredo says sometimes he puts both an underwater camera and a flasher in a hole. He uses the camera with 50 feet of cable to find rock piles, weed lines and bottom structures. "Last Wednesday, I was out for two hours and caught 24 perch," he said. "I credit the Vex. Each time the fish would shut off, I'd simply find them again. I cut 10 holes, caught all 24 out of three." Hyde says the beginner, looking at all the electronic offerings, has some choices to make. "You can get an underwater camera for $99," he said. "When you take children, nothing keeps them more interested than watching the camera and seeing the fish swim around." Hyde said an essential to fishing with electronics, particularly in cold weather, is to bring a spare battery. "Cold weather knocks a battery in the shorts," he said, noting that an eight-hour battery can be reduced to 4-5 hours. Not everyone uses electronics. Bob Bush, of Lyncourt, was out Monday morning fishing the DeRuyter Reservoir and nearly caught his limit of 50 sunnies and bluegills. He was using a chartreuse "dot" lure, tipped with a couple of spikes (tiny grubs). He said he routinely catches his limit of panfish while ice fishing and has never used electronics. It's a matter of just knowing the water you're fishing, Bush said, having fished the same waters during the spring and summer. He's memorized the weed lines, the drop-offs and the rock piles in the lakes he fishes. He said even if you're using electronics, you still have to find the "humps" on the bottom. "I like all the small lakes around here - Tully, Eaton Brook, DeRuyter, Erieville Reservoir, along with Big Bay on Oneida Lake," he said. "My father used to say 90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water." Bush conceded that a lot of times he goes out and cuts a lot of "dry" holes in the ice. "They may be on one weed line today, and another tomorrow," he said.

Thanks Raf, I've learned something today. I actually have no idea where the damns are but there was a set of falls I could have gone over in the Dry Pine Bay area if'n I weren't careful. I suppose that led me to believe I was on the upper. That was some 26 years ago and It's still fairly clear in my mind but don't ask me what I did yesterday....lol

....Spectacular, you done well young man.