elder abuse

I’m in my 50’s and my eyesight isn’t the greatest, and my chubby fingers don’t work so well. Today I assembled my new rod and reel for ice fishing, so far so good. Next came the line, the kid at Gander Mountain steered me towards Suffix 3lb invisible Flori carbon. Well let me tell you, the stuff isn’t only invisible to the fish, I ended up wearing 2 pairs of reading glasses, and now thedexterity issue with the fingers. I wish the Stuff resembled fine hair, but that is too generous, it’s more like trying to tie a spider’s thread. Now I’m going to drive to some frozen lake and freeze my butt off. I can’t even imagine the cruelty that is waiting for me. This compares to loving a woman who doesn’t love you back, you know the misery, but you keep coming back for more. Thank you for listening to my rant, have a nice day.

Love the title of this! Nice rant, I use 4lb on most of my panfish set-ups due to how hard it is to tie 2-3lb line. I’m a young buck and I still cant see it well or tie it well. The fish definitely do not mind the 4lb line. Next time have the kid at Gander tie your favorite jig on after he is done! Good luck

CRC – Glad I am not the only one with that problem.

Multiple rods have never been so important as when I am gill fishing on ice. Tying 2 lb on the fly is getting to be impossible without glasses.

Great!!!! I have 3 spools of this line to put on!!!

CRC-You don’t have to be in your 50’s for those problems! I’m only mid-40’s, succumbed to bifocals two years ago…be damned if I can see that stuff, especially out on the ice, or in low-light. Don’t even mention dexterity, especially once they’re a little cold-might as well be clubs at some point. What the hell is happening to us? I was sure I’d eventually get old, but I thought it’d be more gradual…the blistering pace that my body is letting me down is disturbing-another year or two and I’ll look like BK! He’s what now, like 110? Figure all the preservatives in the Spam are what keeps him kicking.

Don’t forget to tell us how you do!

Get one of these.

http://tyepro.com/

or they also make a similar magnetic one for tying flies to your line.

http://www.amazon.com/20-Magnetic-Tippet-Threader/dp/B002Q0A4BC

That would help, but I still can barely see the line lol. Secondly, the thing better float cuz I know I’ll drop it down a hole faster than you can say $H1T!

castle-rock-clown wrote:

That would help, but I still can barely see the line lol. Secondly, the thing better float cuz I know I’ll drop it down a hole faster than you can say $H1T!

HA! No kidding! Nowhere but on the ice could I hit an 8″ target with such speed and accuracy…black holes right here on earth, sucking everything into them!

Castle, wait till you get to the 60s, then you will know how i feel??Actually you do know how i feel??

icenutz wrote:

Get one of these.

http://tyepro.com/

or they also make a similar magnetic one for tying flies to your line.

http://www.amazon.com/20-Magnetic-Tippet-Threader/dp/B002Q0A4BC

Thanks I just bought 2 typro ice heck of an idea. I have used this http://www.theknotter.com/
It works pretty good too but the typro looks better we will see

LOL !! YA, AT 68 I KNOW THE FEELING TOO. I LIKE USING THE 2LB FOR PANFISH BUT THOSE LITTLE ICE JIGS CAN BE A BEAR. I BOUGHT A TYPRO TOO SO WE’LL SEE. I DON’T USE A BOBBER BUT THE FEEL AND ABLE TO WATCH THE LINE IS SOMEWHAT COMPROMISED BY OLD AGE. TIS A CHALLENGE SOME DAYS BUT JUST GOT TO KEEP TRYING!

Reaching the 60 plateau… Look for 2# line that is colored… I use Cortland Ice mono in green… smaller diameter, but the color works for my eyes against the snow. Tried Cajun red in 2#, but still couldn’t pick it up… I also use Cortland ice green 6# as my go to Mono in the spring for ‘eyes… Way easier to pick up as the light fades… I have never tried Stren 2# gold on ice, the 6# is my backup in the spring for when I didn’t stock up on the green stuff before they pack it away…

Still seem to be lucky on the knot tying, but I also like suzuki, like to have at least a half dozen tied with various jigs for go time…

Mark

I’m with you! I bought a pair of the strongest reading glasses I could just for ice fishing for bluegills. I used to think it was because I was drunk, but it turns out my eyes are going:)

Used to be the young guy in my fishing crowd that in a pinch would tie lines. Over the last two years that has gone to heck. This really hit home one day ice fishing. Right at prime time dusk my line snaps. Crap. In the cab of my truck Im trying to see that small eyelet on the jig. Low light only adds to the lack of sight problem. Seen a guy fishing a few hundred feet away and the thought came to mind to tuck my tail between my legs and wonder over to see if he could help me out. Other option was to pack it in and head home. Lucky for me persistence paid off but this sure was a eye opener. Well sort of speak anyways.

Is it wrong to look for younger guys to fish with so you have someone to tie your line? Sure is fun getting older.

C-R-C I think you have a new catch phrase for the books. Its going to drive the texters crazy along with the ones not in the know. It started here,
Long live the fraze “ELDER ABUSE”.

I too been eflicted by this affliction to the point of going with collored line and minimum 4 pound test. Yellow seems to be the best for me, oddly my favorite line offers yellow or brown and brown just dont cut it in low light (hmm I wonder why).

CRC I will tie your flies for you bud if we can ever hook up to fish. I would trade my knot tying skills for help finding fish on that lake… I didn’t hear any gripes in that department LOL. I am about to turn 40 and totally get your dilemma. I use 3 lb Suffix Ice Magic in the clear and in the hi-vis orange.

Serious though if you ever need a fishing partner that can tie for you in a pinch PM me or something. I have been on the rock once this year and had my best day which was only about 5-6 fish but caught them early on then left the spot for some dumb reason.

There are people here for you.

there seems to be plans on this site for Smitty sleds but I haven’t found any for ice fishing walkers. personally I like the ones with the fold down seat and I’m planning on installing some rod holders and an assortment of hi test line so that I can possibly see it while out on the ice. on one last note does anyone here have problems with their Depends umdergarments freezing up while out on the ice all day?

I noticed this on LL….It say 10 to 15lbs test line but I wonder if it work with lighter line

http://www.lake-link.com/store/item.cfm/501/Click2Knot-Knot-Tool/

Hey, is this where I stand in line to talk about how I can no longer trust a fart or how important it is to bring a portable toilet with you on the ice or a boat?

I believe you are in the correct line sir! Lol

Or you could try one of these…. old fart….

http://www.harborfreight.com/magnifier-head-strap-with-lights-38896.html

Mudshark wrote:

Or you could try one of these…. old fart….

http://www.harborfreight.com/magnifier-head-strap-with-lights-38896.html

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I here those really make sun spots stand out if you look long enough.

The first link is the one that intrigues me…. it is supposed to try a Uni knot by just pulling the trigger…….

Mike W wrote:

Is it wrong to look for younger guys to fish with so you have someone to tie your line? Sure is fun getting older.

Hope not. My Dad has been employing the same tactics in the duck blind for a few years now. His latest string of pack-mules are his Grandsons since I moved up here.