‘Some of the best fishing in Ontario’ is in Norfolk County

Advancing technology means modern ice fishers can tip the scales in their favour with space-age equipment and electronics.

But brothers-in-law Doug Brackenbury and Larry Robbins were doing just fine Wednesday afternoon on the hard water off Long Point's Old Cut, hauling in a shared 57 perch with repurposed wooden relics hearkening back to their home Norfolk County's tobacco-farming heritage. Brackenbury's poles" were fashioned from a former greenhouse rafter with table saw, whittling knife, drill and sander. Robbins wielded a former tobacco slat or stick, originally used to tie leaves onto for hanging and drying or curing inside kilns.

I've caught more fish on this thing than you could put in that hut," Robbins said with a smile. It's probably 65 years old."

Getting outdoors through ice fishing has led to a combined century-plus of experience for 79-year-old Robbins and 69-year-old Brackenbury, ensconced for the day inside one of the latter's four homemade shelters.

We've had a lot of fun over the years," said Brackenbury, whose lone concession to modernity was a flotation suit insisted upon by wife Jerlene after he went through the ice for a fourth time.

I was right under," he confirmed, helped out by a friend grabbing his hood.

Part of their ongoing enjoyment results from comparatively shallow, clear water allowing anglers to see quarry approach and, ideally, bite. Wednesday's action - hottest inside their hut from 8 to 11 a.m. - was productive enough for several fish fries but the previous day's outing provided indisputable proof even their level of expertise provides no guarantee.

He caught four and I didn't catch anything," Robbins smiled.

Fishing has been great" overall in 2022 says James Carroll of Jimmy Riggin', one of three area full-service ice fishing operators. With Mother Nature's chilly co-operation, Carroll opened Jan. 17 and has been running seven days a week since.

A common Long Point Inner Bay tactic is flashing" or aggressively jigging a large metallic spoon to attract perch, sealing the deal with a smaller minnow-tipped jig, or dead-sticked" (stationary) minnow. The occasional trout or muskie makes its appearance, although a majority of anglers are in search of perch, along with the pike who feed on them.

I was sitting on the rod, and all of a sudden it started taking off and I almost lost it down the hole," recalled Colin Lobsinger of Waterloo. His first lifetime hookup with a voracious 34-inch apex predator estimated at 12 pounds by Carroll culminated 25 minutes later with ample spare line, patience and bear paw through the ice" assistance of hut-mate Paul Snyder.

It was insane," Lobsinger concluded.

The hardiest ice anglers head out armed only with pole, minnows and maybe a five-gallon pail for sitting on and transporting fish. Carroll, along with St. Williams-based Bayside and Woodward's, offer shuttle service to and from heated huts, minnows and expert advice - the latter two also offering bait sales to walk-on anglers. Delhi native Marshall Collins' 2020 purchase of the former Shady Akers property and rebranding as Collins Harbour has provided a fourth, hybrid model. Beyond minnow and tackle sales, Collins charges $10 per adult for walk-ons (14-and-under are free), which includes complimentary parking and a one-kilometre shuttle to and from a centralized offshore embarkation point.

It's going really well," said Collins, who put 1,000 kilometres on his custom-sled towing machine during the first three weeks of operation. Non-stop, non-stop."

Clients have come from as far afield as Niagara, London and Windsor, drawn by the opportunity for a signature Canadian winter experience and what Collins describes as some of the best fishing in Ontario" without fighting through GTA traffic en route to northern alternatives.

It's convenient," said Hamiltonian Wally Rosenberg, wetting his ice fishing line for the third time this year off Collins Harbour with fellow fisher Mark Smithson. If there's ice, we'll come out here."

Retired Ministry of Environment compatriots who have fished for years, the friends headed out on foot Wednesday pulling sleds loaded with gear including a pop-up tent, a highly-portable option favoured by many.

Just a couple of keepers today," reported Rosenberg, who shared in a team effort" 10-pound pike during their first outing, and helped hook around 100 perch in their second.

We came out with 19 keepers," reported Smithson, smaller swimmers released for next year or the year after."

Despite battling schools of finicky fish who showed interest, nibbled but refused to commit Wednesday, they thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get out together, get some exercise and celebrate a beautiful day at a beautiful location.

It's called fishing, not catching," Smithson smiled in conclusion.