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Chronicle Staff The day began with the same bubbly enthusiasm I felt as a child on Christmas morning. - It was to be one of those outings I'd never forget, a day I would fondly share with my children and their children after that. The type of day from which legends one born. I mean how was I to know that my first attempt at ice fishing would likely be my last? lee fishing is perhaps the simplest form of fishing, suggests Natural Sports manager Nelson Murakami. Requiring only the mirimum_amolmt of 'sr9rmen..t., your first attempt at the popular winter pastime will not force you to renegotiate the bank loan. The gear is regarded as both effective and simple. Murakami says the equipment needed depends on the type of fish you’re after, but generally speaking all you require is a hole, tishing line and some form of “terminal tackle" to attract the prey. Minnows. jigs. lures and flies are some of the more common baits. Attach the lineto a pint-sized rod and you’re ready to go. Many of today's fishermen are also using "tirups", a handy little invention that leaves your hands free to do the other thing that fishermen are notorious for doing as well as anyone. “You're going to the hunt spot in North America," Hunkami said last Friday from his Victoria Street same in Kitchener. "Nerxi's a lot of big fish being boarded the bus in the wee morning darkness. lnjust a ttrwsaorthoursrwouldbepullietgoutpiekerel from the renowned Bay of Quinn in Belleville. The first hour and a half of the journey passed uneventful. Murray-our cordial driver-was making good time on a quiet 40] and breakfast at the famed Fifth-Wheel truck stop in Bowmanvllle was only moments away. It was - arrival that things began to MERCEDES “That's good cough form. " {though} to mtselfas I mum. Dottaretohoccapieethuts,theBarofthdrttetttttefeteetytrt "utii-ihertigttrimtotaitothatramrttmrtt-eur.7hetT.hu 't,','tgt'g'S, ','t5fit m. g,',",.',',',,,",',,',:',,,',',,: rummage te,',',',',,',",,"',',',,',,;; all tu': Chronicle staffer comes up empty on ice fishing debut "ALEBottERtftt2EoPAmBoLEAtt.tQ M "gtt-t_CtNl_Rr.1tfttf,_tfff ERCEDES-BEN OR I SUBARU Lease Forum.“ Breakfast wasn't ready. The hungry anglers would just have to wait. Md wait we dif. __. - . .. . We didn't get back on the road until 8 a.m. and this time it wouldn't be for very long. As Murray finally reached the desired cruising speed, one of the back tires basically blew up. Well it wasn't actually that but it did require immediate atten- So Murray rolled the bus into a service area in Trenton and we waited again. This time we were at the mercy of a crusty old sea dog type we immediately labelled "Mr. Personality." With all the speed of an aged Bassett Hound, the stiff-jawed tire repairman gave me plenty of time to think about the task ahead. Assuming we got there of course. Unlike conventional angling, the Ministry of Natural Resources allows two lines to be in play at once. A further option allows the use of either a single baited hook or a "spreader." The latter method enables you to tishuptofourhoolrstmasingle1ine. And while the Bay of Quinte is famed for its pickerel or "walleye", other popular bodies of water--Lake Skugog, Nippiasing and Simcoe-provide anglers with the opportunity to land rainbow trout, splake. Whitefish, perch, crappies, herring and pike. Belwood Lake near Fergus is also becoming a popular winter spot locally because of its lively pike Before fishing you should first inquire about the regulations of that area. It's also important to remember that Ontario now requires residents between the ages of Itrfs to carry a valid licence. The only safety rule to keep in mind, says Murakami, iscommonseme. Besuretdehecethethicenessoftite ice before stepping on it. Stay away from narrows And bridges and dress warmly. Despite the events of the morning, we were still a determined bunch when we reached Quinta. That, however, did not last long. c, "Moruing boys," said a Guelph fishermen as we walked to ar huts. SUBARU ”MW" " m U. SN'." 'ft,Vd,tie. "HP' FREE "MIME um: EVERY [I5tifIll maul-0.00 '-ttto-t HMO! mmmm Cag,LLttt0AtlRttbN"tt Camttridqq Times sports editor Pete Cudhoa watches over his tip-up in the What camped ttoetf1rtqe of a tour-man fish hut. Like everyone else on the trip, Cudhea took home "ntttrtrNrtitottrrtogttLthtete. "Hope you got lots of booze, cause their ain't no fish in here. " At that moment I realized it wasn't to be. The same luck that had been shining over anglers for the past several weekends at Quinte had simply disap- peared. One poor soul went so far as to stand 20 feet from his 8-inch hole and attempt to cast his line. Trolling, he said, was out of the question. Seven hours later, the gang of44 returned to an idling bus without a single fish. Needless to say, our initial morning enthusiasm was nowhere to be found. Whether I'd go again is a question I'm still asking myself. On the one hand it was certainly not the most productive of days but on the other, I 'd sure like to tell the grandkids an old fashioned itattirttr tale. Maybe I'll have better luck in May, without the ice. FU. bm m ‘EIIOISInCoupom tuti88btN0tttrrttttratqtt*tt-tt Moo ttoomrrtyGut6DrtoetHsirt_ tato-tetrotthetGaee Elohim ‘5.00 OFF PERMS Fob. 9-21 Nt