FREE Saltwater Ice-Fishing Class Offered

Ice-fishing is a lot of fun and offers the opportunity for family members and friends to get together for an eventful day of relaxation. I have spent many years of my life ice-fishing, both fresh and saltwater. Among the most enjoyable events was saltwater fishing for smelt on the Exeter and Lamprey rivers, as well as on Great and Little Bay. There’s a lot to learn about saltwater ice-fishing that is both fun and educational.

If you would be interested in finding out about an age-old tradition of the Granite State’s seacoast, here is a great chance to join instructors from New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” Program for a special weekend of saltwater ice-fishing instruction. The course will be held in Barrington, N.H. on January 10, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and continues on Sunday, January 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The class is open to anyone. However, those 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. To reserve your spot, contact “Let’s Go Fishing” instructor, Skip Marquette, at (603) 664-5596. The class is free, but space is limited. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. All equipment and materials needed will be provided. You do not need to have a fishing license to participate.

The Saturday, January 10, portion of the class will be spent inside at the Barrington Town Hall, 41 Province Lane, Barrington, N.H.. Participants will learn about ice-fishing equipment, safety and ethical practices, as well as the winter ecology of Great Bay. On Sunday, January 11, the class will meet at the Durham Town Landing, in Durham, New Hampshire. Here, participants will put their newly learned saltwater fishing skills to the test. For further information on the two day course, you can also contact Karina Walsh or Lisa Collins, at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Their phone number is: 603-271-3212.

One thing I learned many years ago that is important, is the need to always carry a compass or a GPS unit when fishing saltwater areas like Great Bay and Little Bay. Winter weather can change like the wind and with little or no warning. I recall an incident that happened to my friend Andy Bisson and I many years ago while smelt fishing the bay. It was a nice day when we arrived in the morning, with a friend who knew and fished the area we were going out to. It was about a quarter mile walk out onto the ice. That afternoon, the weather changed unbelievably. Before we knew it, thick fog came rolling in and by the time it settled, you couldn’t see more than 20 feet in front of you. Andy and I had never been fishing in this area before and we were both in awe as to which way we needed to go to head safely back to shore.

We were fortunate to have our seacoast friend, Ed McKay, with us. Ed was very familiar with where we were and was confident he could lead us out of the mess and back to shore. To say the least, it was really slow going, but we finally made it. He left us with a final parting remark. “Look guys, anytime you go ice fishing down here or anywhere big, always take a compass with you and take a reading on the direction that you are heading. Fog like this can happen at anytime and when you are way out, like we were, you’ll have a much better chance of getting back to shore safely.”

Fog like that can and does hit inland waters, too. So, carrying and knowing how to properly use a compass and/or a GPS unit is an important piece of gear. Your safe return, and possibly your life, could depend on this one item. So, if you are interested, attend this terrific one weekend saltwater ice-fishing class and learn from the experts. Happy New Year and tight lines.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

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