The other day at carving, the conversation led to the upcoming fishing derby. Now for those of you who don’t know about fishing derbys this is how it works in the winter.
Local organizations use them as fundraisers. They are held out on the lake, which is safely frozen over. They plow some roads out on the ice and then they proceed to drill hole after hole for fishing. All you need is a few dollars for a ticket and a ice fishing pole. The poles are short and have a sharp end so you can poke it down in the ice. You attach a bobber and put a wax worm on your hook or whatever your choice of bait is..and throw it down into the hole..the hole is circular maybe 10 inches across..then you watch your bobber. Oh, you need a Fishing License too..and you should be dressed warm..and then be patient and wait for the fish to bite. There are prizes for different size fish. It varies from one derby to the next, they each have their own criteria.
Anyway one of the gals asked my cousin Chuckie what the “secret” was to fishing a fishing derby. Chuckie just laughed and replied “There is no secret, it is just dumb luck.” He went on to tell us of one year, he was on the lake and had saved an extra hole for a little hunting/fishing buddy of his who was a no show..when Uncle Adolf showed up a half an hour late. Chuckie told him to take the empty hole next to him..so he did and wouldn’t you know it..he caught a big fish, a big enough one to take home some prize money.
My Uncle was a good fisherman, I am sure that he would have said that it was skill that snagged that fish. He liked to fish, summer and winter.
One time, probably around 1958 my baby brother and I stayed at Uncle Adolf's and Aunt Lila’s for a weekend. They took us fishing in a boat out on Bad Medicine Lake, I believe this was the first time I was ever in a boat on a lake. I thought being in a boat on the lake was both magical and a little bit scary. I had been on lakes in the winter and was comfortable fishing on a frozen lake, or in the summer fishing safely from a dock near the shore..but a boat..that was a big deal. I loved watching the water over the side of the boat. I don’t remember if we caught fish or not..but I do remember that we had fun, and a ice cold soda and a candy bar:)
Don't tell my hubby there are prizes for ice fishing. He already goes out in awful weather to freeze his pants to the lake and calls it fun. Although he does bring home his fair share of trout. Your uncle looks like he could tell some good stories.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I envy you and your ice fishing land of lakes. Although I'm certain I would have trouble sitting still long enough to catch a fish on a lake, but maybe I could have the wandering cocoa concession.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a fishing fan... but I imagine it is very meditative.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet your Uncle Adolf's prize winning fish gets bigger every time he tells the story:)
ReplyDeleteIce fishing is a really big thing up your way. I saw a clip on TV about it last week. It looks like fun. I've heard that fish caught while ice fishing have much better flavor. Wonder why that is. That probably makes it worth it to sit out there in the cold to hook a big one.
ReplyDeleteThey probably taste better because of the pain and suffering you went through to get it! I myself cannot imagine sitting still in the cold, I've got to keep moving or I'm afraid I would just freeze up! :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the whole joke but the punch line was the secret to catching fish at the ice hole was keeping the worms warm......in your mouth. Sorry, you just made me think of it.
ReplyDeleteHi Connie, as kids ice fishing may have seemed like fun, but would you give it a try now that you are older (and wiser)?
ReplyDeleteI haven't been ice fishing for many years, I used to really enjoy it. My best memory of ice fishing is with my dad in the spring a few years before he died. He called me up to go fishing on a week day and it was just the two of us. That is a nice picture of Uncle Adolf
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories! I don't think I would be a fan of ice fishing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharin' your beautiful memories. This 'ice' fishin' stuff amazes me the more I hear about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny. Hubs and I can fish with the same kinda pole, line even the same bait and I'm the one who catches the fish...big fish and I could care less. I'm just on the boat for some fun and sun! Heeehehehe!!!
God bless ya and have a great time sweetie!!!
I used to love ice fishing as a kid--much more fun if in an ice house/shack, though. We took an old metal shortening can with handle that was filled with hot cocoa...I think when the cocoa was gone, the fun waned pretty quickly! Haven't kept the hobby as an adult, but my dad, age 79, goes on an almost daily basis--with or without a fish house! I think it keeps him young! If he couldn't fish, day in & day out, I think life would be awfully boring for him. ~Abra
ReplyDeleteWe just watched Grump Old Men again and it was fun to see the ice fishing. You describe ice fishing so well you make me want to try it.
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