trap question

[Anthony Anania]

On the the more windy days do you guys who fish out of a fish trap bank snow around the outside flap to keep it from blowing around. And also does it matter where you store it. I live in a smaller apartment and don't have the space to keep it inside. I noticed yesterday when I was out that there was a tear at the seam by the front pole and a couple of spots are starting to wear a little. I don't know if its from the wind or being left in my car over night when it's cold outside. I have only had it a couple of weeks and it was brand new in the box. It's the kenai model.

[Stobber]

I have only had my Voyager for a little over a month, yesterday in the wind I noticed the black coating on the inside starting to wear off wherever it rubbed against something. Even had it happen on a few frozen places where the fabric had a "fold". According to the literature that came with the shack it sounds somewhat normal. As for packing snow, I never do, but after yesterdays wind, I will be investing in an anchor screw set.

[Jarrid Houston]

For my shacks the usual wear n tear (I logged many many hours) happens from use. I have gotten a lot of mileage out of my shacks, but I do my best to take care of them. Storing them outdoors shouldn't effect you sled, but what will is the stiffness of say like the zipper when you go to use it. For me I put my shack in my trailblazer on the way to the lake and blast the heat. This helps loosen everything up before I use it. Your question about packing down the skirt, make sure you use snow and nothing wet or it can freeze to the ice and rip when your ready to pick up... I usually get out every now and then and just check around to make sure nothing is freezing to the ice. This may require moving shaking the skirt a little bit.

[Crappyfisherman]

I push the back edge off the flaps in close to the tub and kick some snow to hold it in. That is where the wind comes in the most. If it is real windy bank the whole thing but use snow not slush. Also zip the zipper to the top and keep the heater from pointing at the door.

Light coat of vasoline on zipper will help to.

[Cyberfish]

You can bank them, but I don't. the whole point of the fish trap is to be able to hole hop with protection from most of the wind and snow. If it is really bad I might grab the side flaps and pull them inward, and put my feet on them to quiet them a bit. Re: Storage, I always keep mine in a cold garage or inside a vehicle with no problems. If it gets wet though, you might want to open it up and let it dry out first, or get could freeze up or get moldy.

[Crappyfisherman]

I agree with Cyberfish on that.The only time I do bank is if I'm setting up for night time crappies.Most of the time I prop the top for a wind break and pull from hole to hole.

[Northlander]

I use sand tubes such as the snakers that Jay Soderbloom sells. No worries about any frozen skirts. My houses are always in my truck until winter is over. If it rains on my house I set it up in the garage and crank the heaters in it and dry it out.

[Bernie Keefe]

Keeping it in your truck should not be a problem. I do use snow around my apron, if its real windy i might use an anchor to hold the hut still.

[Jim Hudson]

If you are going to anchor in for the day and sit on-top of some fish, yup, put all the poles in and get the fabric tight and then bank the flaps in.

Also, before you flip it over and put it away, get all the ice chunks and snow off. And when you keep it outside and if you have any condensation inside when you folded the fabric up and put the cover on, becareful when you unfold it the next time, the creases might stick together a little bit.

I try to dry my shelters out as much as possible.

[aaron otto]

Just a thought: Since I've made acquaintance with my friend Dan and been educated on weight I haven't tried this. However, in the past it did occur to me to sew in a stack of washers to a few locations around the skirt (like the corners) to keep the draft out and the heat in.

Never did try it though.