DISNEY ON ICE !!

Western Norway’s coast does not fit the stereotypical image that every one sees on television. Our winters are mild our summers are cold and it rains and rains. Every now and then we have the perfect winter and ice fishing is the first thing that comes to mind.

Whiting ready for dinner at –15.c they were frozen with in minutes(photo Atle Skjelde)

With fish like this who need ice hockey(photo Atle Skjelde)

Last year was an exception we had the lot. Not only did the local children sharpen their rusty ice skates but also the local fishermen started to talk about their chances of finding a frozen fjord. For this to have happened we needed at least two weeks of temperatures well below zero and as little snow as possible.

The period leading up to Christmas Norway’s west coast was besieged by a high-pressure system that blew a deadly cold Northerly over the landscape. It was so unseasonably cold that water supplies froze and the older homes here in town had their water tanked in. Almost all the fishermen here began to think of the local lakes as a venue for their ice adventures. My fellow fishing journalist Atle Skjelde and I had other plans. We had often planed an adventure on the sea ice but living on the west coast is not the best location to try this sport.

With everything ready and the ice reports looking perfect the only thing to do was find a local expert that could give us the all clear. We all know that safety is all-important and ice fishing is no exception. Our source of information was a local that has had years of experience reading the ice and most of all he had promised to be our guide. So it was a Wednesday, -12.C and all I could think was what the hell was I doing.

After the two-hour bus tour we walked the short distance down to the fjord and were greeted with a sight I thought I would never live to see, an entire expanse of froze sea-ice. It is amazing the amount of clothing needed when standing still on the ice for hours. I had with me four layers of clothing and I still felt a chill. Dressed and ready it was just a matter of dropping our baits in to the deep blue and wait.

We had a trick up our sleeve instead of using jigs or bottom baits Atle had whipped up a cocktail of prawns, herring and fish scraps. He then stuffed the mixture into medical gauze. This works in the same manner as a swim-feeder does for carp fishermen. The sent of the defrosting fish was what lured the fish to our baits. If fish were us and we were the prey I’m certain a free beer with a small whole in the can would have had me sniffing around. As with all fishing an hour of preparation at home will only increase your chances of fish. That day was no exception. We caught so many fish at the final count we had seven different species; mackerel, cod ling and whiting. Just to name a few. Our guide took a whopping five-kilo cod. This fish was so large that the whole bored through the ice was to small for the fish’s head. To my shock even the whiting were above the average size.

After eight hours of fishing time came to have something to eat. It was at this point that I realised what a day we had experienced. I still stand in wonder at the beauty of this country. I hope every winter is as cold as the last but only time will tell. On a serious not safety is the most important aspect and never forget the small details, tell people where you are going. Take the time to have a safe and enjoyable trip. I see so many cowboys that have no respect for their own safety or for the safety of those around them. Lets hope a fjord near you freezes and you to will have the opportunity to try this thrilling form of fishing.