Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015 - 33

Ice Fishing
Among the
Hemlocks
illustration-Ron Kuhn

by Ron Kuhn

PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Standing on a frozen body of water in the dead of winter may seem
ridiculously crazy to a number of anglers. To others, it is a timehonored tradition. The sound of 6 to 8 inches of ice cracking underfoot can be a little disheartening to some, but it's just one of the many
sounds of nature to the Pennsylvania ice angler.
The small lake was skirted by a dense forest of hemlocks that
blocked the sun on the edges and kept the air cooler than average.
Snow drifted down through the hemlock bows as the westerly wind
caused the branches to dance up and down, knocking the frozen
powder down from its resting place. During the summer months,
Ethan had kayaked around the lake on several trips catching
Bluegills on his fly rod. On one excursion, a Northern Pike took
his thrashing catch for its own, breaking the end of his tippet as it
darted for deeper water.
The ice piled up at the edges like shaved ice at a carnival, without
the flavoring, of course. Ethan's father scooped the loose chunks of
ice out of the hole as the young boy and his sister played rock, paper,
scissors over who would fish that spot. Ellie dropped her line down
the hole with a minnow rig that made its way towards the bottom of
the lake. Loose snow shimmered as it blew across the icy surface of
the lake, and the brilliant clear, blue sky cast its light
through the trees on the shore. Several Bluegills lay
frozen like a sculpture at the feet of the young boy, a
testament to the mealworms he brought along. Ellie
continued fishing with a minnow in hopes of hooking
into one of the pike that her brother had witnessed the
previous summer. Staring into the dark watery hole
for hours wasn't her favorite style of fishing, but it was
better than being cooped up inside of a house for days
on end. Jack came over to check on her from time to
time, mostly to ensure she was warm enough.
Suddenly, her line bounced and began spooling off
of her reel. Something large had taken her line and
was plunging into the dark depths of the lake to shed
the hook that kept tugging it back towards the surface.
Ellie pulled up and reeled numerous times as she
collected the line that had been taken from her. Jack
coached her as she continued pulling the fish towards
the surface, thoughts of giant pike ran through her
head as she reeled. A silvery flash came from the dark
circle, the fish was at the surface but still fighting.
Jack helped guide the fish to the hole where a large
Rainbow Trout emerged to the little girl's surprise.
That evening, Jack opened the smoker lid to reveal
the Rainbow Trout with butter, lemon and seasonings.
Red potatoes, salad and warm pumpkin pie for
dessert rounded out the day as the little angler told
her story to the rest of the family.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2015

http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2015

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