My name is Green Eggs and Ham. I’m a goat.

When ice fishing, first ice and last ice are typically what every angler looks forward to. This is where fish are plentiful and seemingly eat whatever presentation is offered to them.  When mid winter ice fishing rolls around, things slow down, fish don't seem to bite anything placed in front of them, and your catch rates go down.
 
What if a few subtle changes to your tactics could make you more successful, all winter long?!  A lot of factors need to be taken into account when heading out for a successful mid winter ice fishing trip.
 
SEARCH FOR STRUCTURE
 
First and last ice offers a short window with wonderful weather, where sitting out on the ice all day can be rather pleasant.  With freezing temps, swirling wind, and blowing snow, most anglers set up shop during the mid season.  Whether it be in a shanty, a portable shelter, or you are fishing outside in the elements, you usually don't feel like moving around too much.  Most of the time, neither do the fish.  They will be held up to structure off the main lake basin such as drop offs, steep points, reefs, and humps.  As winter drags on and the ice gets thicker and snow piles up on the surface, there is less and less light penetration, and shallow weed beds die off, forcing pan fish (such as Yellow Perch) from the safety of their cover to structure where they can elude predators.  These predators (such as Northern Pike and Walleye), can be found cruising along the edge of these drop offs looking for an easy meal.  If you are willing to take a little extra time before setting up to put yourself on top of some mid lake structure (such as a reef) and fish from shallow to deep, you will more than likely be rewarded.  Another option is to head out to the lake in the summer and map or mark out these locations ahead of time to save the hassle in the winter.​

TWILIGHT, DAWN, AND DUSK
 
It is also very relevant to consider the total hours of daylight during the shortest days of winter, and maybe even to consider how much darkness there is.  A lot of species will continue to feed right through the dead of night, and the short span of time known as twilight at both dawn and dusk can be extremely productive for all species.  Understanding the three recognized types of Twilight (Astronomical, Nautical, and Civil), at both morning (dawn) and night (dusk), as well as how their respective angles are affected directly by the time of year and latitude of the lake you will be fishing can be a huge benefit to your success.  It may seem like a lot to understand, but with a little bit of research, it is a game changer.
 
As a lot of species use low light conditions to ambush their prey, and this can be a very advantageous time to ice fish.  Walleye for example are considered "phototactic negative", which means that they prefer low light conditions, compared to most fish which would be "positively phototactic".  They are awarded this incredible sense due to the "tapetum lucidum" which is what gives their eyes the distinctive glow they are known for, which most people can compare to the eye of a feline.  With this incredible advantage, Walleye are able to seek out prey best during low light conditions.  This means that if you are willing and able to fish during the peak twilight hours, or even throughout the night, you will most likely be rewarded with some great fishing.  Changing up your tactics to include glow or rattle baits, as well as scent, such as bait or attractant will improve your low light hours on the ice, and put more fish in your future!
 
BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
 
Quite often anglers believe that big lures catch big fish.  This may be true for a small portion of the year, but typically not during the months where the lakes are frozen.  With colder water temperatures, less light, and less cover, fish will be much more opportunistic about their meals and pick up small snacks more readily than chasing down a big meal. Collecting energy vs expending it is a huge winter consideration for all species under the ice.  If your usual presentations are not garnering any interest, or fish are coming to take a look and then turning away, downsize your lure and bait of choice.  This may mean that the herring on a quickstrike rig under a tip up may need to be swapped out for a minnow and small single treble, or the 3 inch jigging spoon you are reefing through the water column needs to be given up for a 1 inch flutter spoon and a little more finesse.  More often than not, when I have downsized my presentation to picky fish, my success rates increase, and the overall size of fish increases as well.  It's like offering a child a piece of candy or dessert versus another cheeseburger after they just finished their Happy Meal.  Fish are going to grab that little candy, every single time.

COAT OF MANY COLOURS
 
Take a look through most anglers (including my own) tackle boxes, or gaze at the shelves of any tackle shop and all of the colour options available to us, and it can be overwhelming.  But what do all of these colours really mean to fish? Can they see them? What about UV colours? How does colour choice affect your success?
 
First and foremost, yes, it is believed that fish can see colour including ultraviolet (UV). Humans can not see the UV spectrum, but we can see that UV colours pop a little more than your standard paint job.  Each species sees different colours through different ranges, and without going into too much detail, it can make a difference.

Personally, what colours a fish can see is less important to me in the dead of winter than how a fish can see them.  As discussed earlier, there is far less light penetration and overall daylight when the ice is thick and covered with snow.  Taking that into account, as well as the wavelengths of the five primary colours from shortest to longest (red, orange, yellow, green, blue), it can be assumed that many colours disappear quickly beneath the ice.  Blue stretches into the depths the farthest (or when light is low, such as under the ice) and should be a common theme among the tackle that you choose. Chrome, gold, bronze, and silver lures that are able to reflect light and flash or attract fish from a distance may be more important than colour itself.  As brought up when fishing under low light conditions, glow is also a huge advantage when it comes to colour choice. By bringing light to the fish, they are able to see your offering more readily, and are more likely to take a swing at your presentation.  If you are fishing shallower water, red, orange, and yellow may be visible during the peak hours of the day, but consider swapping to greens and blues or glow patterns as light fades to increase interest of fish in the area.
 
WILLING TO CHANGE
 
If you are willing to adapt your current practices and adopt some of the techniques or knowledge outlined above, I believe that you will have a more successful mid winter ice fishing season.  Until that dreamy time known as "last ice" when the days are longer, sun is warmer, and the promise of open water is around the corner, I wish you good luck, and happy fishing!

Len Thompson, a returned WWI veteran, believed in the benefits of being outside. In fact, his doctor prescribed it. In papers dated 1956, Len wrote; "It is fortunate for me that I lived within a few miles of Katepwa Lake, where fishing was always good. In my Boyhood days we fished as often as we could get to the lake with horses, but didn’t take it seriously until after the First World War. During that scrap I collected a variety of wounds, gas, and malaria that left me in poor shape.  Doctors’ orders were to keep in the open as much as possible so I wasn’t loath to spend a lot of time travelling the shores of the lakes in the famed Qu’Appelle chain, just fishing and forgetting." ​

​These days, significant research has gone into the topic of mental health.

According to an article researched by the Canadian Mental Health Association, "It has been proven that being in green spaces (like forests, gardens and parks) can significantly reduce cortisol (stress hormone), and raise endorphin levels and dopamine production (both of which may promote “happiness”)... In other words, getting outside and being in nature are a winning combination for your psychological and physical well-being." (Source: CMHA.ca)

In 2022, Angling Direct (UK) partnered  with Anglia Ruskin University and the charity, Tackling Minds, to conduct an online study on fishing and mental health  "The survey found that those who go fishing are less likely to self-harm, attempt suicide or report anxiety." (Source: Angling International).

There's no arguing that being outside is good for you. Time to go fishing...

This was going to be a fishing blog but ultimately turned into a mental health blog

Written by Al Benoit, Len Thompson & Northern King Brand Ambassador

I truly believe that fishing, hunting and the outdoors was part of the solution. My love for fishing was second to none. When I did not want to do that, there was a problem. In the beginning, my friends dragged me out fishing and my family pushed me out the door. I began to realize getting back to my roots was the key but I had to return slowly. It was like starting a workout regime. One day out and I was exhausted. Slowly but surely I was able to regain that strength to the point I am now competing in fishing tournaments again, fishing multiple days and loving life. I’m still not fishing as much as I would like but it is a progression and  I'm hoping this year will be another step forward.

The complications of PTSD rear their ugly head now and again but I use the tools I have learned to combat the issues when they arise… one of those tools includes a Len Thompson 5 of diamonds and a day on the lake.
 
Mental health issues can happen to anyone at any time so please take it seriously, respect others having issues and to take care of your own mental health.
 
Hope to see you on the water.

Guiding, Making Memories & Mental Health

On Episode 5 of the Made for Memories Podcast, Brad & Jess chat with Adam Gamble (Adam’s Angling Adventures). Adam talks about his career as a firefighter, the adventure of opening his guiding business and dives into the important conversation of mental health and the healing aspect of angling and disconnecting in the great outdoors. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or in the player below.

Canadian Mental Health Resources

The Government of Canada
A list of Canadian mental health resources including support targeted towards Youth as well as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Learn more: canada.ca

The Canadian Mental Health Association
With 330 community locations, CMHA is a nationwide organization that promotes mental health and supports people recovering from mental illness. Learn more: https://cmha.ca/

Wounded Warriors 
Provides a range of clinically facilitated programs specifically developed to support the unique needs of Veterans, First Responders and their families. Learn more: https://woundedwarriors.ca/

Buddy Up
In Canada, men have a suicide rate three times higher than women. This i=men’s suicide prevention campaign is a call to action for men, by men, to drive authentic conversation. Learn more: www.buddyup.ca/learn/

Last year, we put together “The Best of 2020” to look back at a few of the great things that happened in 2020 (despite the turmoil). 

We wanted to take a moment to appreciate a few of the positives in 2021. It was a quiet year on the public eye front, but very busy in the factory. Here are 10 cool things that happened in the Len Thompson world last year...

1. We grew our team and keep pumping out your favourite Canadian made lures each day.

​We now employ 33 staff at our factory in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Check out this special moment when we hit over 100,000 lures made in the month of April.

7. Speaking of ponds… the Lacombe Fish & Game Association's Kids Can Catch Day was a success! This event, hosted at the Len Thompson Pond in Lacombe, is  our favourite family activity each year. It had been cancelled in 2020 so it felt extra amazing seeing so many people out stocking fish with the help of Smoky Trout Farm.

8. We created special edition Silver Salmon Challenge Lures which helped raise $2000 for the Metro East Anglers. The MEA operates the Ringwood Fish Culture Station where the main focus is the rearing and marking of the entire Ontario production of Chinook Salmon for Lake Ontario.

We often get asked if we can identify when a "vintage" Len Thompson was made. The best we can do is  provide a ballpark by having a look at the packaging.

Carded Len Thompson lures were the norm until 1983. Cards printed "Made in Abernethy" indicate lures made in Saskatchewan before the factory was moved to Alberta in 1958. Cards printed "Made in Lacombe" indicates lures made after 1958.

In 1983, foil packaging was introduced. In historical documents, former President Richard Pallister, admits that the change to Multivac packaging machine caused a fair share of frustration. I love this story of how family friend Tolson Russell came to the rescue... 

"Tolson showed up one day.  I’d known him as a carpenter and a printer.  I didn’t know of his millwright skills.  He asked me to explain what was happening.  I flushed, raised my voice a half octave and proceeded to tell him this bloody machine will never work!  He relied confidently, “Sure it will, it’s just a f&%ing machine.” Tolson was known to spread the hockey word around liberally.  

He suggested we start at the beginning.  I told him the problem was in the sealing area, not the plastic feeding area. He calmly suggested it’s best to start at the beginning.  He watched the machine run paying particular attention to the pick-up chain, hit the emergency stop button, fiddled with the pick-up for a few minutes, re-set emergency and asked Ron to run the machine.  Voila, the plastic went smoothly and obediently into the Multivac for the first time in months. " 

The foil packaging wasn't the prettiest package, but it was functional. Universal Product Codes (UPC barcodes) were the next challenge as more retailers were requiring this. After receiving our Manufacturer’s number, we soon began stapling header cards on top of the plastic package to identify items.

In the 90s, plans to launch the Platinum Series were on the horizon and the Multivac machine was retired in favour for blister/card packaging. By 1998, all packaging had switched over to the new style.

​Although the card designs have seen a few tweaks over the years, this is still how Len Thompson Lures are branded on store shelves today.