The guy who runs the Soaring Eagle Guide Service in the State of Wisconsin is a specialist at wintertime ice fishing.   He is David Lemke, of Appleton.

As I mentioned in last month’s column, David has developed some ice fishing rigs that have worked especially well

Pictured here is the adjustable tip up rig Lemke employs for his wintertime ice fishing.  David Lemke photo.

“The first of my special rigs is simple,” Dave says, “but it is effective.  It consists of a barrel swivel, 18 to 36­- inches of leader, a split shot and a Mack’s Lure Glo Treble Hook.  The Mack’s Glo Hook allows fish to zero in on your bait when you’re fishing at night, in low light, or when water conditions are murky.  With a good charge from a light source, the glow from these hooks lasts a half hour or longer.  My favorite colors are maggot white and hot cerise.”
 
Dave’s other two ice fishing rigs are a little more complicated.  Both of these rigs use a Mack’s Lure Smile Blade.  The Smile Blade acts as a fish attracter as the light reflects off the blade while the minnow swims around.  I’ve talked to other ice fishing specialists who have told me the same thing.

“I start both of these rigs with a barrel swivel tied to one end of 18 to 36-inches of leader,” Lemke says.   “I slide one 4mm bead onto the other end of the leader.  Next I slide on a Smile Blade and follow it up with five more 4mm beads.  My treble hook is attached behind the beads.”

This is an illustration of the fixed tip up ice fishing rig used by David Lemke, operator of the Soaring Eagle Guide Service in Wisconsin.  David Lemke photo.

 Lemke says having the five beads between the Smile Blade and the treble hooks is important.  They provide sufficient space between so the ends of the Smile Blade don’t hang down far enough cover the lure’s treble hook points.  Failure to do this might result in not getting a solid hook up when a fish hits. 

“It’s also important,” Dave says, “to use a 4mm beads on both sides of the Smile Blade so you don’t inhibit the action of the blade.  I put split shot on the leader between the barrel swivel and the first bead.”

Lemke also ties up an adjustable version of this leader rig.  After the barrel swivel is attached to the leader, he slides on one or two 4mm beads followed by a Smile Blade.  Next come two more 4 mm beads and then a Stop Knot.  

“Once I’ve tied my treble hook on, “Dave says. “ I can slide the Stop Knot up or down to place the blade at different heights on my leader.  Just keep in mind when you put your split shot on above the first bead of where you would like to place your blade as you position it on the leader.  Again, don’t place the blade so low on the leader that it covers up the hook points.  I use a Mack’s Lure Glo Treble Hook on both of these set ups.”

Anyone who has eyeballed a Mack’s Lure catalog knows that Smile Blades come in four different sizes and in a wide range of colors.  Lemke often uses gold and silver blade shades as well as chartreuse, orange, and glow in the dark finishes.

Now you know how to put together ice fishing rigs that really work, I’ve a final suggestion.  If you get into Wisconsin before spring breezes start blowing, give Dave Lemke a call.  Like I said in the beginning, it’s one thing to read about rigs and techniques, it’s another to see what an expert does with them.

You can reach Dave at the Soaring Eagle Guide Service.  The phone number is (920) 731-5527.  Additional details are available on the Internet.  His web address is www.soaringeagle.com.

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