falling

Last year was my first year out on the ice, I am a big guy and was often felt uneasy (all of the pops and creaks of the ice) while out fishing. I know it happens to most people but I stepped in the hole and went in knee deep (my buddy shoveled around his hold and “accidently” covered an old hole), I was about 300 yards from the truck and I wasn’t ready to go in yet so I took off my boot and sock and rubbed snowed hoping to “dry” my leg off.

Again being the newbie I am what should I have done, should I have packet it up and gone back to the truck right away?

PS it ended up being one of my most productive days out on the ice all year. I leg was fine, and I only suffered from the chills for a day or so…

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PS it ended up being one of my most productive days out on the ice all year. I leg was fine, and I only suffered from the chills for a day or so…

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You ansered your own question. It has happened to the best of us….

T

Well in my case I would have also cracked a , good for the circulation and joined in on the with my buddy Bret because he would be rolling on the ice hysterically laughing. Of course I would do the same for him.

I get wet atleast once a season usually more, the trick is to plan for it. Then you never have to leave just make some adjustments.

You could just keep a change of clothes or 2 in your ice castle

Had a buddy get a wet foot one January outing. Inadvertly stepped in a hole. Heater got cranked in the wuss hut. He fished barefoot. Boot liner and sock were hung to air dry in the shelter. Without the shelter & heater the trip would have abruptly come to an end for him.

No doubt about it. If you ice fish enough ~ you will eventually take your turn. Once you do ~ getting dry is the number 1 objective.

Wuss hut

Like Bosman said, get dry as soon as possible even if it means heading back to the truck on the extreme cold days.

I’ve been soaked to the man berries on more than one occasion and nipple deep once without my feet hitting bottom. I’m not sure what hurts more……the pins and needles feeling from the cold water or the slap at the back of the throat from the wooly eye making sure to stay water tight

PS: A wuss hut can be a real life saver some days

Get some Micky or Bunny boots. Super warm and they are rubber on the inner and outer parts with wool sandwiched in between. If the foot goes down the hole, just dump out the water, wring out the sock and put boot back on. Enjoy a quick while you get your marbles back, then return to your regularly scheduled activity.

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No doubt about it. If you ice fish enough ~ you will eventually take your turn. Once you do ~ getting dry is the number 1 objective.

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I like to fish early ice quite a bit. Up until now, I’ve been lucky, but I’m starting to think that I might be pressing my luck. Does anyone have any recommendations for an inflatable PFD?