Lee's Ice Shanty

#1	Warmth: Many winter anglers have a portable heater in their 
	arsenal of fishing equipment, this is mistakenly used to keep
	warm by the less hearty angler, it should only be used to keep
	your beer from freezing.

#2	Attire: Only flannel shirts are permitted on the ice. The rule
	of thumb on how many layers of clothing to have on is that it
	should take you 10 minutes to get your Schwartz out to take a leak.
	For an outer layer always wear camouflage this is to reduce the
	chances of spooking your quarry.

#3	Locating The Quarry: It is becoming common practice for the 
	seasoned ice fisherman to use sonar to locate schooling fish,
	A more subtle and cheaper approach is to hoard in on that pack
	of 20-30 anglers sitting in a big clump.

#4	Protocol: Ice fishermen never talk to each other! If you see 
	someone else's tip-up flag go up, don't respond to it, with any 
	luck the fish will get off decreasing your chances of getting 
	skunked.

#5	Ice: Year after year many reports of drowning victims being
	recovered from chilled waters appear in news in increasing
	numbers. Never go ice fishing without ice!

#6	Goose Hunters: Goose hunting season is an annual event that
	coincides with the ice fishing season. It is extremely beneficial
	to the winter angler to not be on the ice except when retrieving
	a fish. This will prevent you from spooking their quarry, besides
	they have beer also and are armed to the teeth! 

#7	Hole Size: For most anglers a 1 1/2" hole should suffice for any
	fish that you will encounter in the winter months. Many anglers
	cut 6 - 10" holes in an effort to look more professional.

#8	Ice Augers (Drill): I suggest spending the extra buck and purchase a
	gas powered auger. These augers have two benefits, number one,
	the amount effort cutting a large number of holes throughout the
	day is greatly reduced. Number two, if you are in danger of
	not catching fish during the day, with all the racket a gas auger
	makes, you can ensure that no one else will either.

#9	Kids And Ice Fishing: You should whenever possible take your kids
	ice fishing with you, weather permitting. Its not so much for the
	quality family time, but it does allow you to have more lines in the
	water legally with one fishing license.

#10	Hats: It is always good to wear a wool stocking touke, The color
	should always be a bright orange fluorescent type, you'll be much
	easier to spot by the divers.

#11	Women And Ice Fishing: Never take a woman ice fishing, if you do
	and they wind up liking it, you'll have to find another hobby.

More to come!