Duckman Reels in a Monstah (Video)!

Ten Pounds of Pike (Video)

Over the past week, I was fortunate to be able to ice fish with family and friends on a variety of lakes and ponds ranging from Island Fall to my very own backyard. During that time, we were able to catch some truly fantastic fish, ranging from brook trout and salmon to yellow perch, large mouth bass and even a few nice Northern Pike. 

After three straight days of ice fishing, we finally managed to land the largest fish of Febachery AND get the entire ordeal on camera. In the video below, my Floridian friend Karen lands her very first fish through the ice, while her husband Ronnie and I provide direction and assistance! 

When pulling large, powerful fish like Northern Pike through the ice, it is important that everyone work as a team. Note in the video one person plays the fish, another manages the reel and makes sure the line doesn't become tangled and finally someone manages the hole. Without working together, I guarantee that this fish would not have been landed. *Note in the video that the hook pops out of the fishes mouth but my hands are there for the save! SWEET!

Job Well Done! Congratulations Karen! 

For More Classic Pike Fishing Action Video See: The Duckman's Version of Febachery!

Field and Stream - Fish Pin

As I went to the mailbox the other day, excited that maybe my little orphan Annie decoder ring had finally arrived, I was instead pleasantly surprised to find my Field and Stream – Big Fish Award. I had almost forgotten I had submitted the online application several weeks ago and now it was here! Quickly tearing into the envelope and through the thin veil of bubble wrap, I have to admit I was more than a little curious to see the contents. Packed inside was a small “quarter size” circular brass pin featuring the stamped image of a trout and the words “Big Fish Award”. I don’t honestly know what I was expecting, but whatever it was this certainly wasn’t it. I can’t blame the professionals at Field and Stream for my obviously mammoth set of expectations; I simply had another vision in mind of what I was supposed to receive.

For starters, how about replacing the brass with gold and encrusting the edges with diamonds. Once that is complete, how about matching the stamped image of the fish on the pin with the actual species of monster fish you managed to drag out of the depths. Finally, this could be supplemented by a lifetime subscription to Field and Stream magazine. Kidding and harassment, of the boys at Field and Stream aside, it is all in all a good idea that they have going. I actually plan to incorporate the pin with a picture of my N. Pike and a brass plaque with the details as part of a photo display . . . when I complete I will post a pic!!

To enter the field and Stream contest and see if you measure up enough to get a pin click here. Included in this post are a couple of “unreleased” photos from the day I pulled my Big Olde Fish from the arms of Neptune.