Family day team effort - Simcoe

After quick recovery from Saturday punishment today was a breeze. Friend gave me and the boys ride on his snowmobile and what a difference it makes when you travel as a human to your spot instead of barely get there all exhausted. Even the -32 degrees didn't scare us. Coldest ever fishing day for me. We were counting on two heaters and two huts.
For some reason the Mr. Heater I bought from a guy in Barrie couple weeks ago didn't want to start in the morning. Tried it over 100 times...in the beginning the pilot light was coming up but didn't want to fire up after that...when trying to light it up on low the pilot kept extinguishing....later on even the pilot didn't want to start... if anyone knows if those things can be repaired please let me know how to fix it...otherwise will need to go in the garbage. Paid $70 for it and only lasted 2 trips...... not happy with it...who knows why the guy sold it to me...


The other heater in my buddy's hut worked fine so kids were kept comfy all morning. In the meantime I kept moving around drilling holes and barely marking any fish...the kids/buddy's hut though was marking from time to time...and slowly started getting them on the ice...Eventually I gave up on my scouting operation and went in their hut to warm up and get few whities myself. Had to work very hard for the last fish but eventually ended up with 4 limits and about 10 other bumps we missed. Toughest bite I had on the ice this season. We really had to work for them...only singles showing up and not always biting...well not every day is the same...Meegs again did all the damage but had to really fines the presentation, change tubes, lure size etc.
Kids were happy, reeled in some fish was nice and sunny and even warmed up to about -15 when living.
Not a bad way to spend family day....
Whities are in the brine waiting for the smoker in next couple days weather permitting.
Few shots from the day:


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psu1vr55qq.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...pshrmhkyn0.jpg



http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psfnohowli.jpg





Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

Great catch! Smoked whitefish sounds really good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdnOhjev3BU

Don't use a cotton swab, use a pipe cleaner the swab may get stuck and then you have to pull the whole unit apart like I had to do once.

Nice going man, you seem to have those jigged whities dialed in... Nice way to spend a day with the family, and smoked fish to boot:)

Just love seeing you out there with the boys!!!!
Another great day, congrats.

FSHN 247
Jay

Good job!
my heater had the same issue on Sunday. After leaving it in front of the wood stove for two minutes it fired right away. I just think it doesn't like -30, just like other things. Tried it an hour ago and it's -22 and worked just fine. Have u tried it since?

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Originally Posted by seabast

Good job!
my heater had the same issue on Sunday. After leaving it in front of the wood stove for two minutes it fired right away. I just think it doesn't like -30, just like other things. Tried it an hour ago and it's -22 and worked just fine. Have u tried it since?

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Interesting enough I did try it as soon as I got home...it fired the first time...go figure...when I need it the most out in the cold it doesn't work, when it is in the house and I don't need it bammm fires no problems ...will try to clean it in the next couple days to see if this will help on the next cold day.

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

WTG guys shame about the heater but great job making the best of it some great fish and I'll bet great memories with the boys -- keep it up dad!

FB

The guy you bought the heater from may have run it on a big tank with no in-line filter. They are a fussy heater. Blast everything with compressed air. It's likely the pilot port has a little speck in it or something to make it fussy.

Nice fish and a great family outing. I stayed home with mine today. Would have liked a day on the ice but the rest of them do not fish other then the wife once and a while. She is a big fan of the vexlar and watches it closely on the ice. Thanks for sharing your day, appreciate it.

Hey IceFisherman, I've got a Buddy heater as well. I find when it's super cold out I need to take one of those blow torch type BBQ lighters to the thermostat and heat it up before it will work smoothly. Once you heat up the thermostat you should be good to go.
Fishmore / Eric

Nice outing Ice. Good to see you fishing with the lads again. My heater has done the same to me when it's really cold.

Thats what it is all about right there these pictures tell a thousand words . Good job Icefisherman . Good luck Sonny

Wow, nice job guys. As for the heater, I've spent many days wanting to throw those buddies through a pressure crack. But I've found what's working now is when I go to light it, I turn it once to click the pilot and then keep holding the dial down in the pilot position for like a minute. Then click the pilot again. I run my 20 pound tank off it with the hose and find taking the hose off the tank, closing the tank, then putting it back on and slowly opening the tank and then doing above will often do the trick. The torch trick has worked in the past as well. I also bring those in the house at night to keep them warm instead of leaving them out in the truck. Not sure that part matters, but I figure it can't hurt.

Always a pleasure reading your reports Icefisherman. I'm pretty sure one of those kids was a baby when I sat in your kitchen a while back. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fishmore

Hey IceFisherman, I've got a Buddy heater as well. I find when it's super cold out I need to take one of those blow torch type BBQ lighters to the thermostat and heat it up before it will work smoothly. Once you heat up the thermostat you should be good to go.
Fishmore / Eric

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I do the exact same thing with mine. It has never failed me yet. Been using the same heater for years. I don't even bother trying to light it without the torch on really cold days. I go right to the torch and it always works.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Walleyehawger

I do the exact same thing with mine. It has never failed me yet. Been using the same heater for years. I don't even bother trying to light it without the torch on really cold days. I go right to the torch and it always works.

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Where exactly do you apply the torch? Hope I don't do it at the wrong place.

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TroutSlayer

Always a pleasure reading your reports Icefisherman. I'm pretty sure one of those kids was a baby when I sat in your kitchen a while back. :)

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TS,

you are correct my friend...and the other one wasn't even born yet. Time is flying my friend. And we are getting older...it seems ;-)

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

I put the torch flame right at the pilot and the thermostat located right there too.