March Women's Ice Challenge

Well folks here is the deal. There had been lots of interest in the Women’s Ice Challenge and some women want some specific information about the event.

One of the best fishing days of my life was on the Chequamegon Bay in Ashland WI. There were two of us and over the course of the day we caught ten different species of fish. I couldn’t believe it. I have fished here many times and not all days were like that but I have never been skunked.

We decided to have the Women’s Ice Challenge in Ashland so we could invite some women from MN over. The City of Ashland offers some very reasonable motel rates and we found clean comfortable lodging at the Crest Hotel. For approx. $35 a night you can’t go wrong. Its basic but clean and right across the street from the lake. If you try to make a reservation and they are full email me because I have some extra rooms set aside. There are other places to stay that have swimming pools and more amenities. I suggest you make a reservation somewhere as soon as possible because there are several other events going on in Ashland that weekend. There are also other attractions including the Ice Caves if they are open. The Ashland Chamber of Commerce is a great resource.

As far as the fishing if you have gear bring it. WI allows three lines in the water per person and I usually set two tip ups and jig with the third line. If its nice out I’ll set one tip up, one tip down and jig with the third. As far as jigging, you can catch smelt and any number of different game fish. The small mouth bass in there look like footballs and are really fun to catch on a jig pole. I usually use a med-light rod with a six pound braided line. One particular jig that is productive is the Hali jig. The one that is about an inch and one half long and has a small chain that hangs down with a small single hook on it. That can be tipped with a wax worm and you can catch smelt off the bottom. Once you caught some smelt you can use them on a tip up or the smelt head on a bigger lure such as the buck shot rattle spoon. Usually anything with some flash will draw the fish in . The Coho and other fish come in schools and follow the smelt around . Its common to have a flood of activity and the best techniques is to get the fish off quick and get your line back down while the school is still there. As you can imagine this flurry of activity sure creates some action. On the prior trip I mentioned, at one point we didn’t have one line in the water because all the flags were up and the jig rods had fish on them as well.

We will have demos of how to set a tip up, a tip down and there are a number of experienced women signed up that are willing to give you a hand. We will also have some new products showcased including the Jiffy Stx Auger, Eskimo Ice Shacks, Beaver Dam tip ups, Tip up lights by lighthouse tip up light company and others.

Even if you don’t have any gear we encourage you to sign up. Even if you have never ice fished before. This is a great opportunity to learn what its all about. There is another fisheree held in Ashland that weekend sponsored by the Rod and Gun club. If you are married bring your husband and send him over there while you fish with the Women. Sounds like a perfect plan.

Please email me if you have any specific questions. This event is funded by donations and the biggest expense we have incurred is the liability insurance. My goal was to provide low or no cost outings to get more women interested in the sport but the reality of the insurance world limits us. Please save us advertising costs by spreading the word to other women who may be interested. Hopefully Wi Women Fish will be a resource for women anglers for years to come.