there was a time while ice fishing used to be the most simple of activities — all you needed was once a line, a few bait and a hole within the ice.
But modern anglers will also be a classy and creative breed who delight in creature comforts like a shack with a hearth.
Yet when you get right down to the basics, nothing says luxury like a limousine.
Vaughn Murray of Rainy River, Ont., has stuffed a gap that ice anglers didn’t know they wanted. He has an ice-fishing limousine that’s now available for daily leases.
“it’s a 1994 Lincoln,” stated Murray. “It took me approximately hours to cut the eight-inch holes out and then I positioned 10-inch sewer pipe over top of it, you recognize, to block the snow from coming in.”
The white stretch limousine, that is embellished with a variety of stickers and a Chicago NHL flag, is parked on the ice close to the Highway ELEVEN bridge that connects the cities of Baudette, Minn., and Rainy River.
He has installed an electrical heater in the limo that is powered by way of an extension twine hooked up to his space.
Murray stated he preheats the Lincoln with a propane heater and then uses the electrical heater to maintain it heat. The anglers take a seat on benches that face each other.
Murray’s limo will also be rented through anglers for $ONE HUNDRED according to day, including for fishing rods and minnows. (Provided through Vaughn Murray)
Murray said get right of entry to to the car is short and simple.
“they can pressure out on the ice road, or they are able to just park in my yard and walk ONE HUNDRED toes about 30 metres and you might be at the automobile.” he stated.
Murray mentioned the ice-fishing limo is on the market for day-to-day rentals and will be parked at the ice for the next couple of months.
He said he can take a maximum of four anglers in the car and fees $ONE HUNDRED an afternoon. Murray mentioned that thus far, industry is nice.
Murray’s limo is adorned with Elvis Presley posters, maracas and some Jim Beam bottles. (Equipped by way of Vaughn Murray)
“I’ve Got 3 bookings from Thunder Bay, I Have Kenora, I Have people in Wet River,” he mentioned. “I’ve Got a bunch of ladies from Fargo, Minn. They’re coming up right here and the 21st of February, I Think.”
Murray said the reception has been so just right, he plans to have a 2nd limousine on the ice subsequent winter.
“all the other folks and teams I’ve had in there, they just love it all,” he stated. “It’s just one thing other, you realize and they are having an excellent time.”
Murray’s limo has bench seats and can seat 4 anglers. (Provided by way of Vaughn Murray)
Murray isn’t the only northern Ontario angler who has a souped-up ice fishing gadget.
Donald Stenlund of Pink Rock has been turning heads in that neighborhood with his refitted Mercedes-Benz.
The sedan, which he bought for $600, has customized-built skis replacing tires at the entrance and tracks replacing tires on the back.
With its sporty, but practical construct, it looks as if something out of a Mad Max film. Stenlund, who loves to ice fish, mentioned the idea for the automobile came out of necessity.
“While it’s tough out there on the ice, and that i am on a sled, it is laborious on my back,” he mentioned. “i can hardly walk for the next couple of days. So I had this idea last iciness — when it was once chilly out at the lake that i’ll pass in the market, and keep great and warm, and be at ease.”
Donald Stenlund’s soup-up ice fishing system is a converted Mercedes-Benz, which has tracks and skis rather than wheels to get to a scorching spot. (Donald Stenlund/Supplied)
Stenlund has an ice fishing tent connected to the automobile that comes up like a convertible. He stated you’ll be able to simply get up and fish inside. It also has holes in the flooring of the car for fishing, so a chum can tag along,
Stenlund said the ice car too can go at a good clip, up to 50 km/h.
Alternatively, he said, his main fishing space on Lake Superior usually requires slower speeds.
“The ice is really tough right now, but i can nonetheless do like 18 to 20 km/h ” he said. “the auto in all fairness heavy at the tracks, so i do not want to jump it an excessive amount of.”
Despite The Fact That the ice fishing car took a lot of time to create, Stenlund stated, it was once relatively within your budget general.
“It price me about $2,000,” he said. “so much of the stuff just like the tracks I already had.”
Stenlund mentioned the automobile is a piece in development, however he would possibly upload an aluminum dome to replace the tent for subsequent wintry weather.