Our weekend of ice fishing began Friday afternoon as French and I headed just outside town to the backwoods of Bauline for another crack at a few trout.

Today's Argo run wasn't all that far. We were back on the same pond from our last outing, today changed location fishing a section of water closer to the ATV path. French took his 2017 Argo Huntmaster while as usual I had Project 6x6 loaded down with all the fishing gear and boil-up supplies we could imagine for a comfortable day in the country.

We drilled a few holes and set out some lines, first my ice fishing linesfrom Outdoor Pros;

and for just their second fishing adventure my new Automatic Hook Setting ice fishing rigs.

This inexpensive HT Rod Locker case is a great way to store and transport my automatic hook setting rigs, 28" ice rod/reels, a standard line, a couple spares, stick holders, scoop and even a couple tubs of worms! It keeps everything together, secure and protected.

Another trip and we never got skunked, I managed a single keeper while French caught a couple keepers and a few throw backs.

It was cold all afternoon but got quite a bit colder as darkness fell with the mercury hitting -11º on our way our of the woods (plus wind-chill). No complaints here, temperatures like this will build more ice on the ponds which is definitely needed this year.

Saturday:

The following morning French, Slaney and I headed back in the woods near Bauline to fish a brand new (to us) pond which was about half hour Argo ride away. The snowmobile trails were tight in spots for our wide machines but overall in great condition even for the wider 8x8's on 18" tracks.

Ice thickness today was an ample 10.5 to 11" which for this winter season was pretty decent. The thinnest spot I tested all day was on newer ice near the run in, it measured 5" of clear black ice.

I started the day off catching the first trout on my automatic hook setter, a dandy healthy mud on a hole that would prove pretty epic all day long!

Even my traditional line didn't disappoint!

With 3 hands on deck we were allowed three lines each which allowed us to cover and survey a decent portion of the pond.

I later set up my ice shelter over this hole and swapped the stationary worm and hook fishing line for this one equipped with a spinner. A spinner is a great addition to an ice fishing hole being actively worked.

This is Terry's design of the automatic hook setter. It's the same concept but utilizes a simple piece of ABS pipe screwed to a board to hold the ice fishing rod. It worked great and is equally effective as the rest.

My honey hole was starting to pay out! I had even more throwbacks which were returned to the water to tell their tale!

It was quite breezy and cold today so I broke out my Rapala Ice Fishing Shelter. This pop up shelter sets up in under two minutes and provides instant relief from the cold just by blocking the wind. Even without a heat source I comfortably sat inside without the need for a hat or gloves.

I've been watching some videos on converting one of these shelters into a hot tent which I'm strongly considering with this unit or by purchasing a larger 8'x8' unit which would fit a sleeping cot better. Benefits of these shelters vs a traditional outfitter canvas hot tent includes lower cost, way faster set up time and full head room all over the inside of the shelter.

I placed the door in a direction where I could keep a close eye on my two automatic fishing rigs. Thankfully this also allowed the door to face downwind!

Mid-day I fired up the Argo for a quick tour around the pond, I found this clearing under a cliff which would make a beautiful spot to camp overnight.

This beautiful chunky mud tripped one of my automatic hook setting rigs mid-afternoon bringing the total keepers for that hole to five for the day!

Mid afternoon Slaney and I began gathering some dry wood for a campfire to warm up and to cook our lunches on. I took my Council Tools double bit saddle axe in the woods today, it's a beautiful little chopper for gathering kindling and light splitting.

Work smart not hard!

For lunch I cooked up a feed of marinated Moose, Mushrooms and Onions. Slaney toasted up a couple bagels on the open fire for himself.

To pair with the moose I made French onion minute rice on my GSI Pincacle stove using the pot from my GSI Dualist Kit. Today I tried for the first time a canister of Primus Winter Fuel which apparently has a larger mesh inside to aid the gas vapour to boil off in low temperatures. I'm pleased to report that it worked extremely well, much better than all the standard cans I've used previously in the winter.

Needless to say dinner was so amazing I almost forgot to take a pic!

As usual we stayed until well after dark managing catch a couple more trout mainly on French's lines. In the midst of all the pandemic craziness in the world, these last few days have been great to unplug, get away, and enjoy valuable time in the country with good friends. Probably more beneficial these days than ever before!

On Sunday French, his daughter Piper, and Slaney headed back in the woods for a few hours catching a few trout. I stayed home and got stuff prepped to make a couple dozen bottles of Moose for future lunches in the woods!

Cheers, MIKE

Copyright © 2025 Michael Smith