Multiple Shelters: Do I REALLY need 3?

[Dan97]

Howdy all you ice fanatics!!!

Here's my problem....

I have up to 3 ice shelters to choose from.

Number 1: My 8x8 hard sided house. EXCEPTIONAL for two anglers. Very warm with a Buddy heater. Not very portable. Can be towed with a sled or ATV without any problems. As long as you remain on one lake for a long time.

Number 2: A brand new Clam 6800. Tall, roomy but as of now untested in a real-world trial. But due to weight and design, not too portable. Better than the hard sided 8x8, but not something I could use to run and gun with. I don't think so anyways.

Number 3: I have a Medium Otter sled that I've been thinking of adding the "skin" to. Portability would be GREAT. Towed behind the sled, instant set-up, good for run and gun. Drawbacks, no floor. I hate cold feet. Drafty (?) May be tough to heat with a Buddy. Can't fish more than 1 hole per guy if two are involved. And I'm not really into tip-ups.

I'd like to have all three types. A Permanent, a semi-permanent and a very portable. But do I REALLY need all three? What do you think?

Dan

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[Gissert]

Dan97 -

I like my Otter. The cold feet issue for me is a thing of the past since I got a pair of those military issue mickey mouse boots. My feet sweat in them, but they never got cold.

My buddy heater does a pretty good job of keeping things warm. If you go that route, I suggest getting the black canvas top from Canvast Craft. The black color really sucks in the warmth from sunlight. I was fishing lakers in Ontario last March, and it was 23 below in the morning. There was not much wind, but when the sun hit that black canvas, I had to open the zipper a bit to ventilate. For those very few times when the Buddy can't quite keep up, I carry my Coleman lantern and hang it from the center pole.

I have heard that someone is now making an insulated canvas cover.

I dont have too much trouble with drafts. I pile dry snow or ice shavings around the flaps on the bottom of the canvas, and that seals it up quite well. If there is not much snow cover, I have a rubber welcome mat that I throw down to keep from slipping when I go in and out.

[nunzio]

Dan97;
Just wait until you set up your Clam in the wind. It's an adventure!! As far as run and gun goes... you have to take down the house before you move as well as pack everything, not real portable. Just my .02. -nunzio

[jdm911]

Yes, different situations call for different shacks. When alone I use my fish trap pro (highly recommended shack ordered from highly recommended Reed's Sporting Goods), when with a buddy, I use a homemade, bulky but manageable two-man fold up, and when out on the big lake my friends and I have a 8x16 shack. Each type of fishing calls for different set up, plus it makes for more things to fuss with in the garage in Oct. when you are eyeing up the fishing gear, waiting for the ice.

[MJR]

My problem is that I don't get to my house at Barnacles engough cuz I am at the one at Mac's Twin Bay on Mille Lacs. That is all fine but when I am in So MN. I don't get to use the one on Lake Francis because it is so close to my house on French and I usually go there. But I don't feel so bad cuz I usually go out in my new Fish Trap Voyager I bought last year on Minnetonka.

Having three houses is not a problem it is just a good start. The only problem is thieves and it is a lot of work to put them on and off the lake.

[Guest]

I like to fish from a Fish Trap II because of the space and the added room to punch two holes comfortably. I haven't had many problems with wind or being cold, just pack some snow around the outside to block any wind. As far as warmth goes, my Mr. Buddy heater goes a long way. On top of that the Fish Trap II is very mobile and is easy to transport. I don't personally own a larger permanent fish house but I hope to build one soon. A friend of mine has one on Mille Lacs and boy are they nice when you feel like just relaxing. It's like fishing from your living room, T.V. and all! Anyways, I'll stick with my Fish Trap II, I think that mobility is the key to successful ice fishing.
Good Fishing, Matt.

[Steve Foss]

You only have three?

Well, no seriously, I only have one, a Fish Trap II. I fish it alone and like the room. Jig in one hole, minnow/slip bobber in the other, tipup outside for pike (Wisconsin). And it's way mobile. My Black Cat heater and propane lantern keep er plenty warm, though I'm going to get a Mr. Buddy so I can work the 'eyes on cold nights and stay warm without the lantern. Figure the lantern is spooking night fish in clear lakes in shallow water.

Your medium Otter with a skin will heat just fine with a Buddy, and if your feet get cold, just bring along a carpet remnant to put between the ice and your feet. Surprising how much heat you'll save that way. After you set up the Otter skin and find how cozy/mobile it is, you may find yourself looking differently at your other shelters.

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 09-06-2002).]

[vikingtom]

Dan, it's nice to have extra houses. I got four. Two hard floors and 2 calms. Never know when someone tags along.

[chunkytrout]

Hmmm, do you need to ask?
Lets take a look in my back yard- 2 sleds, 3 wheeler, camper, 1 fishtrap solo, 1 HT Deluxe, one 6x8x6 hard sided, utilty pull sled....oh yeah, one wife : "Get that Sh*t out of the backyard NOW! "