Sunday, February 1, 2009

Ice Fishing

I had a very eventful day today! And a very cold one. I have been all over town, and been to so many new places. I've also been to some familiar places, and seen some new things. I'll show some of them to you in the next few days, and here is what will be the beginning of it all.

I went back to Sumac Pointe today. I think I said I was done with this place for awhile. I guess I was wrong, because I soon remembered some unfinished business I had there that could only be done in the winter. That will have to wait, because I got sidetracked by a few other things while I was there.

As soon as I got out of the truck, I noticed that there were people out on the lake today. The last time I was here, there were only footprints. The first people I saw were out there crouched down looking at the ice. Why?

I'm sure you've guessed by now that they were out there ice fishing. For those of you that have never seen this activity; it's where you make a hole through the ice to the water below. Then you lower a fishing line down that hole, in the hopes of catching a fish.

I've never been ice fishing myself. I am terrified that the ice would break under my feet, and I would end up under the water and the ice. I am a terrible swimmer, even after taking swimming lessons as a kid. I really tried hard back then, but I just couldn't conquer my fear. Even a great swimmer would probably drown if they fell through the ice.

I could see that the ice was safe, because there were a lot of people out there, and they were just fine. I still preferred the shore. I could watch from a distance though. It looked like everyone was having a great time out there. My adventures are best done on land though.

Ice fishing is actually very popular here in Michigan. It should be! We have as much water as most islands. We are surrounded by one of the largest sources of fresh water in the world, our Great Lakes. In the winter a lot of it freezes over like this, and ice fishing becomes a big thing.

Oh, in case you were wondering, that last picture appears to be a shelter for ice fishing. In the first one they were fishing right out in the open. I don't know exactly how it all works, and I imagine I'll probably never find out. It is still a very interesting activity that many people enjoy. The idea seems fun to me, but I will not be going out on the ice any time soon. If you like ice fishing though, now is the time!


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11 comments:

  1. Though I know something about ice fishing from articles, this is the first time to see a shelter is needed. It is just like fishing in a camp.Fun.

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  2. We do this on our own lake too. You know people even have heaters inside the shelters, right?
    We had an exchange student from Spain who couldn't believe us that we ice fished until winter came and she saw it with her own eyes!

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  3. Tee hee- when the ice is 6 or more inches thick it's probably safer than some bridges we drive every day!

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  4. I've never been ice fishing too, in fact, i've never been fishing at all :( it's great though people think of many activities to enjoy outside despite the cold.

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  5. Rainfield - Yeah, they can stay warm if they decide to use a shelter. It's a pretty good way to fish. I don't really fish much at all, but I can understand how it's fun for other people.:)
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    The Retired One - I did indeed know about the heaters. Actually, I forgot about them while I wrote the post, and only remembered too late. If you think about it,it would sound strange to someone from a warm climate that never heard of it.:)
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    Sharkbytes - My problem with that is I've heard too much about people falling through unsafe ice, when they thought it was just fine. I know my fear is a little irrational, but it still doesn't sooth me.:)
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    Betchai - I don't really go fishing much myself. I don't really enjoy it that much. It always seemed not to be my kind of thing. It's easier to buy fish in the store. I like observing nature, more than catching it. Fishing can be fun, but I'd rather be walking and seeing new things. I'll have to try it again some time.:)

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  6. COME CHECK OUT iFLY HOLLYWOOD!!

    It is a great outdoor activity that is perfect for all ages!

    Try skydiving without having to jump from a plane!

    Hope to see you all there!

    www.iflyhollywood.com

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  7. Sarah, you are a SPAMMER! I am going to leave your comment up, even though I should probably just delete it. This is not how you leave a proper comment! If you go to somebody else's website, you talk about what is there! Your comment is nothing but SPAM!

    For anyone curious about Sarah's site, I checked it out, and it is just a place that is trying to sell their crap to us suckers. I do not allow free advertising here!

    I allow links and all sorts of things in my comments, if they are legitimate. My friends who comment here are welcome to leave links, because they are polite and they mean well. They also don't just come here to advertise crap for free.

    Sarah, how do you expect to sell anything and build trust by using these sneaky tactics. This is not how it's done! If you just wanted to make a legitimate comment, then come back and let me know by doing so. I'm sure you'll never see this though.

    To all of my friends here, and any potential new friends, sorry for the tirade. Next time I'll just delete the spam comment. But I wanted to make a point, just this once, that these things won't be tolerated here. This site is for us, not spammers!!!

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  8. Ratty, my apologies if you get two comments from me about the same subject only I am not sure if Blogger accepted the first!

    Occasionally I drop by your blog which I enjoy including the photographs. I know you regularly visit MTF and I just wanted to let you know I will be removing the EC widget shortly.

    I have added your blog to my sidebar so my readers can click through to you without EC.

    Regards

    Mike

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  9. Mike - No problem, I only got the one. Besides, mistakes happen to everyone.:)

    I like your blog, it's quite educational. It's too bad about you dropping EC, but I'm sure you have your reasons.

    I'll be sure to reciprocate, and add your blog as well. It's one of the blogs that I like to stop and read.

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  10. I have heard of ice fishing, but I really don't know much about it. Well, I didn't until I read this. You have taught me something. We don't go ice fishing here in England, although it may start if the weather gets any colder! LOL

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  11. Lizzie - Ice fishing is very common around here. We actually have very many ice activities. We have to, because there is so much ice here in the winter. Keep reading, I like to show a lot of strange things like that.:)

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