vSTULGIES continued from page 7 “There is this awesome little house we rent and usually six or seven of us stay there and we rent it for ten days. My wife and I are hoping to make it up there soon. The ice is forming early so that may be possible.” Generally weather is not a factor when it comes to fishing up North because everyday is used to it’s fullest potential. Greg tells me about one of last year’s fishing expeditions that took place while staying in Eden. It was a day that a full-blown blizzard had come about, yet that did not deter Greg and his posse of ice fishing commandos from hitting the ice in search of fish. It just changed the way they normally ice fish. “The weather was really, really bad as far as wind, cold, and heavy snow. We fished out of our trucks the whole time. You pull up, drill a hole, and roll down your window and jig while the truck heater blasts away.” Greg is reminded how difficult packing gear can be in blizzard conditions with winds reaching fifty miles an hour. “Our huts were staked down but leaning because of the strong winds. Packing up in a blizzard is very eventful. You have to make sure nothing blows away as you are taking it all down. I will never forget that, a big time blizzard. It was fun and exciting. It was an adventure.” Greg says with a smile. Ice fishing can be adventurous and also dangerous. You must use good judgment and always be aware of the inherent dangers associated with ice fishing. “I’m the type of person before I jump into anything I research it. I think that is because my kids encourage me to do so.” Being safe is Greg Stulgies top priority when it comes to ice fishing. Understanding and respecting the conditions and the limits associated with this winter sport helps to ensure that a good, memorable experience can be taken each time he and his loved ones hit the ice. “As with anything, hunting, fishing in the open water or on ice, whatever, as long as you are cautious, careful, and don’t do stupid things you will be safe.” With that being said we move on to a very interesting story about the one that DID NOT get away! It is a story of struggle and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a story you may find hard to believe yet I assure you it is true. This is the story of the Northern Pike! “We were up by Webster, South Dakota,” the story begins. The plan was to Crappie fish and Greg had a setup for that ready to go. A sixteen-inch pole with two-pound test line was the weapon of choice, more than adequate to bring in small Crappie. However, as Greg was about to discover, a fish much larger than a Crappie was about to hit. “I looked down into the hole and all I saw were spots. I was like oh my goodness! It was the back of the fish.” The fish Greg is talking about is a Northern Pike, one of the big dogs of the lakes and rivers of South Dakota. For Greg, things were about to get exciting! “All of a sudden my rod took off, and for twenty minutes I was fighting a fish on two pound test.” For twenty minutes Greg did battle with the large Northern only to have the line go slack. Greg and his brother-in-law came to the conclusion that the big one had gotten away. That would have been totally conceivable considering the connection between the fish and Greg’s fishing pole was light fishing line; about as light as fishing line can get. Just as Greg was about to cut his line, the drag took off one last time, making that exciting buzzing sound all anglers live for! The fish was not gone and the fight was back on! “After another five minutes or so we got him in. He was big and my brother-in-law dropped him three times before we got him. He was afraid of getting bit. It will be a fish I will never forget.” Greg and his worthy advisory posed for a picture that day and as fate would have it, the Northern Pike became fillets that were quite delicious and very filling. So as you can see, ice fishing can be a wonderful and joyous sport you can share with your family and friends and it can grant you memories that will last a lifetime, just ask Mr. Stulgies. Serenity can be found in the cold months of a South Dakota winter, you just have to know where to look. Perhaps after reading this you may set your sights on ice fishing and discover what many fisherman know to be true, that there is beauty and solace in this frozen tundra and all you need to experience some of it is a bucket, a hand-powered auger, and a rod and reel. Keep your eyes and your mind open to the wonders of Mother Nature and appreciate the simple things life has to offer. After all, what harm can come from stepping off the fast moving escalator of life and slowing down for awhile to appreciate the things we seldom notice? No harm at all I say! n Call or Stop By For All Your Heating and Cooling Needs! 2018 Broadway, Yankton 605-665-4348 M-F 8am-5pm Saturday 8am-Noon We Stock Filters 8vHISVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 Brad Haas