CHAPTER IX 



FISHING THROUGH THE ICE 



When the ice king has clothed every lake and 

 stream, and the ordinary styles of fishing can no 

 longer be indulged in, fishing through the ice be- 

 comes at once a healthful sport, and one produc- 

 tive of palatable food, and possibly of a little fish- 

 ing-tackle money to the juvenile angler from the 

 sale of his superfluous capture. For this style of 

 fishing is well fitted for the strong, healthy boy 

 when no other occupation demands his attention. 

 He has the glorious sunshine sparkling on the 

 white snow ; with his skates firmly attached, he 

 can glide from tip-up to tip-up, breathing in great 

 volumes of oxygen in the cold air ; and besides 

 this, he is catching fish, — for sure, — if he will 

 go about it as I am about to direct. 



In the first place, it is necessary to provide the 

 tackle. The most interesting form of ice-fishing 

 is by means of the " tip-up ; " and the simplest 

 form of this is a twig set up at an acute angle to 



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