Not Quite a Kite

[Clampet]

As promised, I am posting my results of my super lightweight wind shelter as an alternative to expensive portable Ice huts.

 

I discovered through this initial test that I need to make some slight modifications.

 

My first problem was the ice thickness.

It was only 5 inches. I was counting on 9-11 inches. This makes for poor support of the poles.

 

My second problem was the hole diameter of 6 inches made with my auger.

I thought that by tamping the poles tight with snow and slush, they would be snug.

Didn't happen. This caused the poles to lean at a sharp angle.

 

Solution is to purchase a drill with a diameter slightly larger than the poles. This should ensure a tighter, hence snugger fit, hopefully reducing the forward cant of the tarp.

 

 

 

THE GOOD NEWS

 

My wind shelter held up in brisk winds.

It did not morph into a kite.

I was not observed running down the Lake yelling, "Stop, stop, come back, puff, puff ,... groan"!

 

As evidenced by the thermometer, I was enjoying +20C.

Plus 20C, in the sun, out of the wind. Isn't that something!

Out of the sun, the temp was -11 C.

But no wind chill...Hooray!

 

I also caught 35 Perch, all much larger than my last outing.

I will be investing in an electric knife to keep Jethro at bay and make the job of filleting

those Perch a little easier.

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Here are the pics:

 

The arrival.

This is the scene that greeted me prior to getting on the lake:

 

The leaning tower of, well you know...

 

 

And from a different angle

Notice the water on the ice, due to the weight of the snow...

 

The Thermometer is looking good!

 

The purpose of all this-->

[fishergirl72]

Hey whatever works! And nice pics!

[Joey]

Well, a few more modifications and you'll be good to go Paul.

 

Thanks for the pics.

 

Joey

[Castmaster]

It's a good thing you didn't take that thermometer out to of the package. It looks broken.

[knotaclue]

i think he had it in his coat

[mattyk]

Thats colddddd! Nice perch, thanks for sharing.

[Greencoachdog]

Thats colddddd! Nice perch, thanks for sharing.

 

 

That's what I was thinkin'!!!

 

You done good Clampet! She may not have morphed into a kite... but it looks like she wanted to... real bad!!!

 

Congratulations on the Perch feast and keeping comfortable in the frozen wasteland!!!

[Mike the Pike]

Great catch Paul!Do you think you could put an OFC logo on that tarp.Can we catch Tarpin with those poles?

[Bly]

Congrats on the nice perch today AND that you and/or the tarp didn't fly off! Always nice when you have an idea that actually works

 

bly

[Kerry]

Hey Clampet,if you put that center pole on the inside of the tarp and set it up a bit like a Vee it probably wouldn't catch as much wind.Heck of a lot cheaper than my trap pro that I've only gotten out once in so far.

Kerry

[b2kptbo]

With a little modification it'll be oooh dawgies, nice haul with the perch...

[Pinch]

I built me Clampet inspired wind break yesterday afternoon.

 

I plan on testing it out in belleville this afternoon, I'll take some pics and let you all know how it worked out!

 

Dave

[fishnsled]

Hey Clampet,if you put that center pole on the inside of the tarp and set it up a bit like a Vee it probably wouldn't catch as much wind.

Kerry

 

That's what we did a few years ago and it worked great. The idea of the paint poles is excellent. We used dowling which was fine but not very portable. We also use a hand drill with a large bit so the poles fit snug but still had a bit of play so you could wiggle them out at the end of the day.

[Pinch]

Ok, Im back after a short trip to the BOQ. Unfortunately only one little perch was caught between three of us!!

 

I took along my 5 year old son, so the four hours or so on the ice was enough for him.

 

I brought along my new wind break which was built out of 3 wooden broom handles, a 9 x 12 tarp, 8 cable ties, and a half roll of duct tape.

 

I used a cordless drill with a 1" spade bit and drilled three 4 inch or so holes.

 

The set up worked really well, if i were to change anything on it it would have to be the height. It was about 2 to 3 inches to short. Im 6'4 so when I sit on the chair my head is an inch or so over the top and catches the wind. Other than that it worked great.

 

To transport it I just roll it up and bungee it onto the sled with everything else.

 

And here are the pics.....

 

 

 

[knotaclue]

Pinch is your dog a newf ??

[cisco]

Pure ingenius! Congrats!! Like Kerry says, have the middle pole on the inside so's the wind pushes the tarp against it rather than away from it. Takes a real outdoorsperson to go forth with a piece of tarp and a vision...... which you did, and you SURVIVED!!!! Keep the ideas a comin'!

[Pinch]

Pinch is your dog a newf ??

 

Thats actually a friend of mines dog, but yes he is a Newf.

[knotaclue]

Your friend is lucky, they are a beautiful animal, I’ve had two over the years but my wife said no way to the slobber this time