The spirit of fishing

[Jim Uran]

The best place to be is on the ice. What draws us to the ice or to the water is tough to answer in a nutshell. There are far too many good answers to that question, and most of us will answer it differently. Even though we grew up differently, in different areas, and in some cases, different eras, we can all unite on the water in its two most popular forms, ice and water, my favorite form being the hard water version.

I have spent a lot of time on the ice this year, developing patterns, tweaking gear, perfecting the nuances of my Clam Scout TC, wondering where that school of fished just went, smiling while gazing into the eyes of a big bull bluegill or wiping crappie slime on my Striker Lite bibs. The complexity of trying to describe an ice fishing trip is overwhelming at times and often gets dumbed down into how deep, and how many fish. There are too many variables and what-ifs, and never enough smiles and fish slime.

Often times we over complicate fishing, turning it into a science rather keeping it a mystery.

I believe it was the mystery that turned us all into fishing addicts in the first place, the “science” is largely to blame on our great ice fishing electronics that are offered now. I say blame, but really it's more of a blessing, if you haven't fished with something like a Vexilar FL-22 HD than you wouldn't know what I am talking about. Heck, even reading the name of that fish conquering machine makes you feel like you are a better angler. Handheld GPS's, underwater cameras, quiet efficient augers, and awesome suits made for ice fishing have made the mystery a whole lot easier to crack. It was the mystery that hooked us, and it's the science and technology that make it more interesting , and that is what keeps us out there.

Share the passion, pass it on to your kids, your friends, and those not lucky enough to have someone to take them out, and teach them what you have learned. One of my most important tools out on the ice is my camera, taking good quality pics out on the ice makes it easier to release those fish that deserve to be caught again.

In retrospect, I can see all my problems go through the last line guide on my pole. It's not a matter of only catching fish that keeps me out there. It's being in the elements, figuring out simple and complex problems, trying to fill the hunger of my pride driven personality, and at times, trying to figure out just where I am going in life. Yes, to me it's that deep, it's not a shallow mans sport, figuratively speaking.

[Jarrid Houston]

Good write Jim!

[dan z]

Great read Mr. Uran

[MNCPRGUY]

Thanks Jim. Could not say it any better!

[Kevan Paul]

I agree.. Good Read!

[paceman]

Well done Jim!

[MikeRaetz]

Great article Jimmy!!!

[CANOPY SAM]

Love it Jim, absolutely love it!

I think too, for some of us at least, it's the lure/call of simply being ON the water. I think I was born to sail the open seas. I feel more comfortable, and at home, navigating waterways. Standing on solid ground feels boring, and uneventful.

I also believe your deep seeded passion for fishing lies heavily in the scripture passage you quote in your signature.

Shoot me a PM sometime Jim. I think you and I have an awful lot in common.

Thanks for the great thoughts, and a great read!

[Chad Peterson]

Nice read Jim.