Quest Outdoors

etfish730 · Par Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 30 Location: Central IN

Have a trip this weekend, have to do it, cabin fever is too bad, and we've already re-scheduled once due to high water in Dec.

So, I've got my Stanely's ice-off paste, and also purchased some "line conditioner" to keep my pin mono soft, hopefully twist free, etc.

I was never overly impressed with the ice off paste on my fly rod, does it hold up any better when using mono - on pin rigs?

Also, I've seen some posts about treating the first 50 feet or so of your mainline with fly line floatant - Mucilin and other brands. Does this help.

lastly - doesn't all this "goop" - ice-off, Mucilin, etc... create some drag and stickiness in th eguides and on the line? When it's all said and done, I probably won't care, because at least I'll be fishing!

Any helpful replies are greatly appreciated. Thx,
ET

johnnyquest · Adult Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 58 Location: the zoo

I had pretty good luck with Pam this past weekend. Worked as well as anything I had tried so far. Got me about 45 minutes of mostly icefree fishing.

Bill Shearer · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject:

The big thing with the Ice-off paste, or for that matter,Chapstick, is to put it on the night before.
It sure doesn't last more than the first couple of hours, but hopefully the temp will moderate by then, and it won't be so necessary.

bigfisherman10 · Adult Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 78 Location: NW MI

Like Bill Said put it on the night before make sure you get everywhere not just the insert this makes removing the build up alot easier. I like to put it on the night before or several nights before and put it near the heat register in the basement. I also put a small amount on a rag and whipe down the rod. Don't store it where it can get dust as it will stick to it like crazy.

A few more hints that will help.
-Keep your drifts shorter and keep as much line of the water as possible.
-Don't dip your rod in the water to remove the ice like you may in the fall this will quickly cause problems for the rest of the day. Just pick the ice out of the ices with your fingers.
-I use siglon 12lb normally but in the real cold I use siglon 10 lb because the smaller diameter has less surface area and picks up less water and slids throught the eyes alot easier. Since Siglon doesn't adsorb water you can pick your line off the water at the end of your drift and give your tip a little bounce to just pop the line and it flicks the water off your line. Play with this it hardly take a flip at all you don't want your float to make a noticable plop or anything. This must be done the instant you pull out or it will freeze up on you.
-Have a few beers at night and go out for breakfast and skip lunch as the typical day of winter fishing the first light bite isn't very good especially when it is this cold.

boyd · Adult Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 98

Probably the best tip of all for winter fishing. Sleep in. Best fishing of the day is from 11-4. Also less iceing issues during the warmest part of the day. Bright sunny days will usually produce the best. Looks like some warmer temps on the way for next week. Be nice to get a drift in with temps above -5C for a change Smile

Peace.

etfish730 · Par Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 30 Location: Central IN

I appreciate all the good advice! Will hopefully be able to post a pic or two next week if all goes well!

Bill Shearer · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

Boyd
You are so right!
MY problem is after so many years of "first light is best" I can't get my mind around sleeping in, when I want to go fishing the next day.
You'd think at 60 I could stop getting excited about catching a fish. NOT!!

The Stanley's works well on the float and a few feet above the float as well, just to keep ice off.

boyd · Adult Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 98

Have never been a big fan of "'first light" Bill Smile

Rather show up later after it thins out. My favourite time to fish has always been the last hour when its warmer. Peace.