The mirror., 1919-03-13
I~T@0O the average ardent fish.
r3fE erman, the melancholy
SNEgN days" are epitomized by
NANIN the ice-sheeted lake and

NalIIA>N 0rmau, CQo mclduCuOly
H@kgV days" are epitomized by
t&NI the ice-sheeted lake and
the white blanketed ground, tenn
porarily in Jack Frost's mighty
grip. He, therefore, sits in a siz-
zIing hot room gazing disconso-
lately through the frost-coated
windows at the landscape which a
few short weeks before held such
tempting invitations. Verify he
hath eyes and seeth not, for if he
would but don good warm clothing
and plunge boldly forth into the
singing cold he would find whole
some and satisfying vent for the
energy stored up on countless sum-
mer angling excursions. And bet
ter still, ne may again enjoy the
thrill of combat with the denizens
of the waters he loves so we'll,
albeit he must exchange the casting
and fly rod for the spear and drop
line. The methods employed may
not seemingly have the same sport
ing possibilities but, believe me,
there are other inducements and
the fish are more delectable than at
any other season.
To those who readily attune
themselves to natures varying
moods, the pleasurable, invigorat-
ing snowshow tramp through the
wonderful whiteness of the winter
woods, the unaccustomed friendli-
ness of the brave little chickadee
and nuthatch, the thrill of unravel-
ing the trail of the fur-bearers and
the breasting of the blasts sweep
ing across the ice-locked lakes will
be sufficient unto the day thereof.
While those of more materialistic
mold will call the day successful
which hurries them homeward in
it's quickly fading light with a
goodly string of pickerel, perch or
crappie.
Hook and line fishing through
the ice is sport calling for stam-
ina and endurance to the nth. de-
gree, but a very satisfying one to
the red -blooded man. The first re-
quisite is good, warm clothing and
footwear, for an hour on the bare
surface of a wind-swept lake with
the mercury below zero will chill
you to the bone unless properly
clothed. The clothing par excel
lence, consists of heavy weight
wooden underwear and socks, WOOL
en- outing shirt and trousers, a
sweater and a parka. The parka
is north woods garment which
excels all others as windproof,
loose outer covering and has hood
which can be drawn over the head.
The fishing tackle can be the
same as used in your summer still
fishing, although it would be a
good idea to invest in a strong line
that will stand the constant friction
against the ice walls of your fishing
hole. The provident fisherman
will cache a supply of earthworms
in his basement in the early fall
for sunfish bait. and I know of
some who maintain a "froggery,"
using the green amphibians as bait
for both bass and pickerel. The
best all-around bait is the minnow,
if procurable. They can be seined
in an open brook or through the
ice along the shore if holes are cut
large enough to permit the use of
dip-nets. Minnows are also kept
in fair sized tanks in warm base
ments by some of my angling ac-
quaintainces. Taken all in all,
they undoubtedly furnish the most
alluring invitation to dine that you
can offer the piscatorial epicures
Of the icy waters.
The next necessary part of your
impedimenta. and you'll find on a
long snowshow tramp that the word
''impedimenta" is used advisedly,
is a good axe. A leather sheath is