Sometimes I need a grounding of sorts in all facets of life. When it comes to the outdoors that I so much enjoy every once in awhile I page through some old pictures of our family fishing/hunting trips. I like to kick back and remember when……Remember the good ole days that in truth we are living today.
The fishing industry has taken such a momentus climb in terms of technology and efficiency that I believe has driven the growth of our beloved sport.
Still for just one moment take 5 minutes out of your busy schedule and remember why you love ice fishing?? Is it simply your drive for one big fish?? Is it your desire to be part of something larger than yourself in the outdoor arena?
For me the history of fishing is very rich. My grandpa who is no longer with us grew up in Ohio and used to pull my mom and her sisters out on a handmade wooden sled to fish Lake Erie. The neighborhood in the small Ohio town reminds me of the movie the “Christmas Story”. He put an old coffee can full of coal in a compartment in which he apparently would ignite to keep my mom warm while fishing those “Pressure Cracks” he swore by. Surely he would scoff at the use of PROPANE in heaters today. He jigged some of the original swedish pimples along with an assortment of other handmade jiggins spoons for both walleyes and perch. Heavy line and spreaders were commonplace as you could catch two at a time and being broke off was simply taboo. His auger of course was truly cutting edge as he proudly showed off his swedish auger around town…….which was actually capable of cutting through the ice!! The fancy leather sheath likely made him a “Big Shot” with local fisherman still spudding holes.
My guess would be if I could ask him today those seemingly simple days outdoors with my mom didn’t revolve around the catch of the day. I assure you fish caught….Were fish KEPT mind you. Bones didn’t need to be removed from fish as bread would be placed in the middle of the table just in case you got a bone lodged in your throat. He didn’t have a lake map of Lake Erie, and felt sonar was some form of “Witchcraft” in his latter years. Still fishing….. in the most simple form was something he’d wake up early on Saturday mornings to enjoy. Monday through Friday was needed to keep food on the table and Sunday was church day.
Today it is nearly 6:30 am. I can’t help but wonder what my grandpa Bob would think of my career as a fishing captain. I run a engine on my Strikemaster that would hurt his ears, and surely he would raise an eyebrow if I tried to explain that the pressure ridge only sometimes forms over good structure. I could likely shed some light in the underwater world with Marcum Technology, but I’m not sure he would be so fascinated. My Otter fish house would surely “Out Class” his one pole canvas hut he fabricated in the cellar of his house. But I bet…….His love for the sport equals mine today.
Today we fish with all the modern technology we rely on. We continue to demand more which drives the industry. In the fast paced hustle and bustle of todays world take a few minutes and close your eyes to remember the rich history of our sport.
Today my grandpas swedish auger rests in our cabin. My moms homemade ice rod that was once a christmas morning prize hangs on our wall. Never lose the passion for what we all share.
Feel free to share a pic of something you have in your family that memories may be centered around. Better yet retire that old “Green Box” flasher. Pass it on team for it is the rich tradition that drives the fishing industry into the future.
Ice fishing is an age old tradition we’ve carried into a fast past world. Take the time to slow down and live it!! 
