registerfly Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 okay, I'm cheap and not really sure if ice fishing is my cup of tea. Went out maybe 3-4 times last season with moderate success, mainly perch and not that many jumbos at Simcoe. before I invest anymore $ into something like a used atv/snowmobile to get out "there" to set up camp, wanted to know if it is really necessary to get out that far to fish? I know it depends where you fish and structure etc. but are there any businesses that provide transport service to and from general spots? And lastly, has anyone considered using their bike ie mountain bike with studded tires to pull their sled to their favourite spots? I know it sounds out there but I've got the tires and ride trails all winter long. Got the hut on order and was able to find my favourite buddy heater so all set aside from the long walk out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Caster Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 A german sheppard or husky would probably pull a portable hut with minimal effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 It is not necessary to go out too far in most cases. I usually walk less than 2 miles one way on my trips. I hoof it on all my early season trips until the ice is safe for sled travel. I don't see why you couldn't use your bike as long as there is not much snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 if simcoe is your target lake and you want to get to the best spots as the season progresses, then you need a snowmobile to keep on top of them also if you have all the toys and a hut. it sure makes it easier to move them an 8hp icewalker might do the trick, but won't know till this winter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 an 8hp icewalker might do the trick, but won't know till this winter Sure hope it does,I hate walking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinny Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 what is a icewalker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 And lastly, has anyone considered using their bike ie mountain bike with studded tires to pull their sled to their favourite spots? I know it sounds out there but I've got the tires and ride trails all winter long. That may be okay for bare ice, but, wait til you get a foot of snow or 6+ inches of slush, you'll be cursing a blue streak or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
registerfly Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) thanks for the info guys. re: icewalker http://www.theicewalker.com/ is this legal here and has anyone even tried this? Seems like it was patented few years back with adjustments for retrieval. doesn't sound like the one with the engine though... Edited October 12, 2011 by registerfly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) not the ice walker I was talking about guess meant Snow&Icewalker details at first ice on cooks bay Edited October 12, 2011 by Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) I don't own any form of transportation with the exception of my two legs and a plastic sled to hold my gear. I primarily fish Simcoe for whitefish/trout and typically have to walk out up to 3km to reach 80+ FOW. Some years we do amazingly well, other years not as well as those that can travel much further out and quickly move to new locations. So, you don't NEED the transportation to be successful by any means, but it's really NICE to have. IMO, a floater suit and a sonar/flasher are far more important than an ATV/sled unless you have difficult making the trek on foot. I've also considered some type of mountain bike, or a three wheel bike, with studded tires. I don't see why it wouldn't work, but it would be tough going on some days. Edited October 12, 2011 by FishLogic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Depends where on Simcoe you go, I target mainly cooks bay from the Gilford side and it can be walked pretty easy. They do run an Ice Taxi service there also but not sure what it costs. Quads are nice, sleds are better, but the best is friends with quads or sleds...LOL RED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 the older I get and the more toys I get the harder it is to get all my toys out onto the ice it's not the walk out because most times you walk out a bit and fish, then move out a bit farther, then farther and farther then you are done for the day and realize you have a 5 mile walk in with dragging a sled or hut.....having help sure is better then walking 3 miles out and a blizzard starts a quicl 3 minute ride in is better then a hour walk in, in a blizzard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Or, you could do what I do and drive my truck out there. HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
registerfly Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 exactly what I am waiting for, my buddy to get a sled or quad. Not too gung ho about driving out there but would depend upon the launch locations. I think this year I'll try towing with my commuter bike and get the feel for the conditions. Last year most of the days I went out there was little snow, only ice so that would be fine. It's the 6" of fresh or loose stuff I really want to test out. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickOnt Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Hey Fly The biggest challenge for the Mountain Bike is deep snow, So!! Your best travel time is Early season re First Ice little Snow or after a mid season thaw and Freeze. Or give me a PM, and if I am going out I will haul your butt out there!! Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 not the ice walker I was talking about guess meant Snow&Icewalker details at first ice on cooks bay Or, you could do what I do and drive my truck out there. My vid of me an Chuck, are on my pooched drive. It was a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Wait till the ice is thick and drive out. I've had my truck 13-14 miles off of 9th line on multiple occasions. Although now I have a sled, it's a lot more fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
registerfly Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) Hey Fly The biggest challenge for the Mountain Bike is deep snow, So!! Your best travel time is Early season re First Ice little Snow or after a mid season thaw and Freeze. Or give me a PM, and if I am going out I will haul your butt out there!! Rick That's a sweet offer Rick. I might make you regret it LOL. Yep the deep stuff is going to be the main challenge so will definitely be avoiding it at all costs. I figure the first couple times out will be hilarious. Then when it gets nice and thick the van will be the answer Edited October 13, 2011 by registerfly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I'm thinking the bike will be a nuisance on most days...having said that, I have nothing better to offer. I walk, but no more than 1 km each way. Last winter I found some perch spots close to shore that produced well so this year it won't even be a 1 km walk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
registerfly Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I'm thinking the bike will be a nuisance on most days...having said that, I have nothing better to offer. I walk, but no more than 1 km each way. Last winter I found some perch spots close to shore that produced well so this year it won't even be a 1 km walk I'm gonna fish with you Roger!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I'm gonna fish with you Roger!! you're on! The first time I got out this past winter I did the 1 km walk because thats where all the huts were. Somebody told me try much closer to shore, forget the walk to the shantytown, and guess what, it worked! Because its a short walk I'm gonna fish in style. Got the hut, bought a Coleman this summer, gonna whip up some bacon/eggs and coffee while you drill the holes (don't worry, got the gas auger too). Only thing I don't have is a proper toboggan - see my avatar shot taken at the Simcoe GTG 7 or 8 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 see my avatar shot taken at the Simcoe GTG 7 or 8 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 hey, if I knew how to update it I would. Now that picture is alsmost like an antique. That was a LONG time ago a bunch of us got together on Cooks Bay and I borrowed my neighbour's daughter's barbie sled (is it still considered borrowing if they don't know or consent?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 the barbie sled, a thing of beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 the barbie sled, a thing of beauty He said it, not me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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