The hard water season is upon us.
Up here in Wisconsin, we’re in the early stages of a freezing cold run of temperatures… we’re talking two weeks plus of highs well below freezing. Even in southern Wisconsin where I live, that makes for some great ice. Of course, a big chunk of the country is looking at a deep freeze right now, and even places like Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee are seeing freezing temperatures.
Ice fishing is the bridge to get outdoorsmen through the winter. Most folks don’t exactly crave the chance to brave the winter cold to do some fishing that is slower than normal, but for the anglers up north, it’s a way of life. It can be a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family, maybe drinks some cold beverages and put a few fish in the fryer. It’s more of a social event compared to regular fishing, but at the end of the day, it is still a great way to get outside and wet a line.
The most obvious way to combat the elements for ice fishing is to build shacks or shanties designed to keep fisherman warmer than the otherwise would be out in the middle of a frozen lake. These shacks often make people more comfortable and able to withstand days of fishing and laughing with the boys.
Of course, some ice shacks are insane… full blown luxury setups with heat, televisions, refrigerators, basically a mobile home with some holes in the floor. And up in the northernmost parts of the country, as well as Canada, they even have ice fishing bars that get parked out on the ice. I mean, is there anything better than drinking a few cold ones, watching a game, and fishing for walleye… all from the comfort of a bar?
The long winters and slower fish … require anglers to get creative. And nobody is better at getting creative than some northern rednecks. You know the kind I’m talking about. It’s the epitome of “boys will be boys” behavior.
We’ve seen the ice-fishing limo, some good pranks, or setting up a hot tub to fish out of on the ice. But the “Crappie Shack” might be the peak of redneck ingenuity. A Wisconsin man was getting cold out on the ice when he came up with a plan to get himself a fishing shack.
He came up with the “Crappie Shack,” a renovated porta potty designed to comfortably sit two fishermen along with propane heaters, a pair of flashers… everything you need to slay some crappie.
Although the concept works, it still seems a little wild. I certainly won’t be running to get a porta potty to make my next ice fishing shack, but you have to give the man credit for the idea… like I said, it’s redneck ingenuity at its finest.
Only thing I hate about it is that God-awful Packers flag. But hey, this porta potty was originally designed to hold piles and piles of sh*t so… I guess that makes perfect sense.
