Corporate Ice Fishing Fun
A couple weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be hired to help put on a corporate team building event on the ice. PricewaterhouseCoopers was looking for a fun thing to do in conjunction with an all hands meeting they were going to be having. I was more than happy to help them out. After several weeks of planning we came up with what turned out to be a fantastic day on the ice.
I gathered up a few guys to help with getting everything setup before the people started to arrive. John Haynes, and Josh Douglas have both fished tournaments with me in the past and were willing to brave the cold morning air to lend a hand and bait a few hooks. My dad was also there acting as head chef grilling up a fantastic lunch for the 30+ people.
A 20 X20 foot tent with tables, chairs and several propane heaters was home for the event. We positioned it on a weed line in about 12 feet of water. The target would be bluegills mainly, but I knew we could probably manage a few crappies, northerns. and possibly a large mouth or two.
Following the all hands meeting, everyone refilled their coffee cups and grabbed one of my custom built ice rods. I had spent several evenings before the event spooling fresh 4# bioline on custom paint paddles with spring bobbers attached. These simple ice rods are easy to use and economical for large groups. The bioline worked great tied to hand made 1/64th oz jigs with hand poured small soft plastic tails. I have to say thanks to Sam for the great jigs. (email Sam at gloezlures@aol.com if you want more info on the jigs we used)
It didn't take too long and people started to catch fish.
Lunch was great and there was plenty of beer to go with it. I think everyone had a good time and most everybody was able to land at least one fish. The tipups however were pretty slow. We only managed one flag but that one got away. One smaller northern was brought onto the ice when we were pulling up the tip ups at the end of the day. The cold weather had frozen the tip up in and prevented the flag from going up. That can be pretty common in below zero temps.
If you or someone you know is looking for a fun and unique way to host a corporate or family retreat, contact my guide service at info@sportsmithfishing.com .
I gathered up a few guys to help with getting everything setup before the people started to arrive. John Haynes, and Josh Douglas have both fished tournaments with me in the past and were willing to brave the cold morning air to lend a hand and bait a few hooks. My dad was also there acting as head chef grilling up a fantastic lunch for the 30+ people.
A 20 X20 foot tent with tables, chairs and several propane heaters was home for the event. We positioned it on a weed line in about 12 feet of water. The target would be bluegills mainly, but I knew we could probably manage a few crappies, northerns. and possibly a large mouth or two.
Following the all hands meeting, everyone refilled their coffee cups and grabbed one of my custom built ice rods. I had spent several evenings before the event spooling fresh 4# bioline on custom paint paddles with spring bobbers attached. These simple ice rods are easy to use and economical for large groups. The bioline worked great tied to hand made 1/64th oz jigs with hand poured small soft plastic tails. I have to say thanks to Sam for the great jigs. (email Sam at gloezlures@aol.com if you want more info on the jigs we used)
It didn't take too long and people started to catch fish.
Lunch was great and there was plenty of beer to go with it. I think everyone had a good time and most everybody was able to land at least one fish. The tipups however were pretty slow. We only managed one flag but that one got away. One smaller northern was brought onto the ice when we were pulling up the tip ups at the end of the day. The cold weather had frozen the tip up in and prevented the flag from going up. That can be pretty common in below zero temps.
If you or someone you know is looking for a fun and unique way to host a corporate or family retreat, contact my guide service at info@sportsmithfishing.com .
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Found the Bioline biodegradable fishing line referenced above on the website http://www.gofastandlight.com. The price, 13.87, was better than list, and the order turn around time was pretty quick.
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That's good info. Thanks for passing that on!
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That sounds like a cool event. Going ice fishing is certainly on my todo list. I'm also glad to hear you used a biodegradable fishing line. I use the 4# Bioline for my lake and stream trout fishing.
You can also get Bioline and other eco-freindly tackle at http://www.greentackle.com/
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