Regular readers of my blog know how much I enjoy ice fishing, and how eager I am for the hard-water season to begin. Still, for all my enthusiasm, I have only spent one full season fishing through the ice and am always looking to further my knowledge. So during the Outdoor Blogger Network’s anniversary week giveaways, I jumped at the chance to review the book Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide by Tim Allard. When I saw that I would be receiving a copy of the book, I made sure to make more frequent trips to the mailbox until I finally had the book in my hands.
The great day came when the book arrived in an envelope from Fox Chapel Publishing. I ran home to rip it out of the envelope and…do nothing. I had a lot of things going on and could not find the time to sit down and read. Of course, it was too tempting for Darrell to walk past and before I knew it, he had started reading this book. A week later I managed to wrest the book away from Darrell, sat down on the couch, and started reading. Then it hit me – I was going to have to write a book review! What was I thinking? I have not written a book review since university and it took me forever to write. A mild panic attack ensued.
Was is worth it? You bet! Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide is exactly what it says – a complete guide to everything you need to know about ice fishing. Having read many of the author’s articles in various outdoors magazines, I was hopeful that his book would be just as informative and easy to read as his articles – and it certainly is.
Whether you are new to ice fishing, or a seasoned pro, this book will give you the knowledge you need to safely and effectively fish during the hard-water season.
Chapter one is dedicated to clothing. That may seem like a simple enough topic, but when the author breaks it down you begin to understand that some thought is required to make sure you are ready to face any temperature. When it comes to boots I always thought -40C should be warm enough, and I could not understand why my feet always got cold. Yet, when the author mentions wearing -100C boots, I can see what the problem is. Dress accordingly.
The chapters on electronics and safety were particularly useful. Last year was my first chance to use a flasher and I immediately saw the benefits. Getting a more thorough breakdown on how to understand and use a sonar unit, with a focus on how to use it on ice, was very educational. Everything is clearly explained and it made me want to turn on my fish finder and practice.
The safety chapter is one that should be read by every angler before they head out at the start of the ice season. Understanding what to do if you fall through the ice could save your life. I cannot tell you how much better I feel about heading out on the ice this year with the information from this chapter in my mind.
Of course, the real reason anyone reads a fishing book is to learn how to catch more and bigger fish. Welcome to the the most comprehensive tips and tricks you will ever find on catching fish through the ice. If you have wondered how to catch the best winter sport fish, this book will help you do it. From walleye to yellow perch, crappie to sunfish, trout, lakers, pike and more, you will learn how to find them, what gear to use, and what presentations work and when. My plan for this season is to read the species-specific chapter for whatever I’m aiming to catch on each outing. I feel certain that following these tactics will increase my chances of landing fish.
I am not a live bait angler. It’s just not the way I enjoy fishing. Many of the ice fishing articles I read go on about the benefits of using minnows. I know there are times when they are the only way to trigger a bite, but in Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide, you will find tips for using bait and for using artificial lures. This made a big difference to me when reading the book, because there are useful tips for catching fish, no matter what style of fishing you prefer.
Readers of this book will also enjoy the handy tips and insight from various ice fishing professionals that are scattered throughout the book.
Since I was taught to provide some criticism when writing a review, I looked long and hard for something to criticize. Here it is – there are too many pictures of beautiful trophy fish. Confused? The problem with the pictures is that I am not holding any of those fish! Okay, that’s really not a criticism of the book, just a reflection on my need to get out fishing and land some giants. There is nothing I did not enjoy about this book.
Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide is a wonderful book, and Tim Allard did a great job with it. Many fishing books are geared specifically to the novice or to the experienced, none that I have read are able to capture the full audience, until now. This book is a must read for anyone considering time on the ice, and it is so well-written that you will come back to it again and again.
I strongly recommend that you rush out to your nearest bookstore, or go to your favorite online bookstore, and buy a copy of this book.
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Disclaimer – This review is my opinion and I received this book for free in exchange for giving said opinion. I have no association with Fox Chapel Publishing and was not reimbursed or paid for this review
