• Tuesday-What'sUP February 27 - 05:12 pm

There are many modes of transportation for getting out to your ice shanty...on foot, snowmobile, some even drive a car or truck out on the ice, but I think E. Neil Harri, has topped them all! He decided to go fishing off Mission Point in Baraga and the transportation he chose, was his trusty plane #N5620R. I'm not sure if he has snow tires on that plane or not, but obviously he was able to land and then take off once again, so whatever he has, it works! By the looks of the second picture, it was a successful outing, with the fish on ice to keep them fresh too. After the shock of seeing an airplane on the ice, in 190 feet of water, I'm thinking maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to put wings and engines on all the ice shanties like the one in the third shot, then if the ice starts cracking, you just start up your engine and fly away!

This is a classic image. Wish I was there! John / New Hampshire

Wow! what a way to go fishin'.

I don't like flying, but I could sure go for some of those fish! We see airplanes on the ice out here too.

The ice must be pretty thick now to support the plane. I can imagine what conversations must have taken place in those shanties seeing a plane land on the ice next to them, hehe.

Definitely a good haul of fish there too!! Those are good eatin' sized lakers for the barbie or the smoker.

A few comments on ice landings. I never land on untested ice. I have a buddy out there who checks it before I land. I also have a lot of ice landing experience over the years. That ice was about 10-12" thick and smooth. That was a couple of weeks ago. It is not as good now in Baraga area with the strong winds in past week.

Nice plane!

Very convenient keeping your fish cold. Love your pictures Neil.

Nice Shots - That ice looks as smooth as asphalt. Sharp looking plane! Now I know what you are in when I see your neat aerial shots. Extreme fishing!

What a neat way to wet a line! It's obvious Neil is a prudent pilot and doesn't take chances like this unwary fella: http://www.micom.net/oops/Flying%20in%20WI.jpg

cool picture. speakin of smokin fish on the barbie...anyone got any tips on how to do it....pretty good with ribs but would like to try fish...what kinda fish is best to use, salmon? thanx guys ps, too warm here to ice fish and too cold to fish fish , so looks like Kroger fish, haha

Yes, Neil certainly does have a very nice looking Cessna 172. You'd hardly guess it's 40 years old, would you? Speaks well for excellent maintenance, eh?

I wonder how Neil would like to try this Batman / James Bond-ish vehicle for a camera platform? See this video (October 2006): Click ® Jet-Man video (from jet-man.com)

I'm amazed that stepping out of that jump plane into the slip-stream wearing that rig - with the wings folded, even - didn't cause a whole lot more turbulence!

FRNash --

Thanks much for the link to the wild video.

To infinity and beyond!

That is quite the film clip showing the guy with the wings that fold up jumping out of the airplane. He must have some kind of jet engines on that thing.
Be nice to have one---maybe.

If the plane just had floats on it, like the float planes (or whatever they are called) in Alaska, you'd be all set, whatever the ice conditions. :-)

Those are some nice looking fish! I'm curious--are those lake trout, white fish, salmon, or what?

I do love your pictures, Neil!

The Jet man video is great.I want a pair of Jet wings. I think it would be fairly easy for an experienced jumper to exit that Pilatus Porter aircraft with big cargo door.
The pilot slows and slips the plane so there is not much airflow on the exiting side. I have flown a lot of jumpers in the past and was an active skydiver myself for many years.The rest would be pure fun.
Marianne,Those are lake trout in picture and a lot of what we all caught are natives. They are mostly red meat on inside and taste really good. The best you can get from Lake Superior.

Hey Neil Nice Pictures!---Just wondering where the picture's of Johnson's fish are?
--Occupier of the Gray Shanty

My Uncle who was from Canada, had a fishing business year round on Lake Superior. As a child, and I would see firsthand many a Whitefish frozen or set on ice and pine wood shavings so the ice wouldn't melt quickly is one of the fond memories I have that's connected with a scent. I don't care what anyone says Raw fish, and the smell associated with catching, storing, smoking and selling, are some of the best fragrances.

jetman was the best.

Floats, wheels, or ski's, the plane don't much care as long as brakes aren't something you care much about. I've flown them all and nice ice DIRECTLY into the wind is a pretty smooth operation. A little snow on top of the ice is best because you get a bit of grip on whichever of the three you choose. My Mooney is a good cross country plane, but not worth much on ice....but it will get me from Detroit to CMX in about two hours this July 4.....
Have fun kiddies............

Theresa,

I sort of know what you mean. I remember the sight and smell of
little brookies in my Dad's creel as we would walk out of the woods
after a few hours of fishing on some special UP stream or creek.
Thanks for bringing back that memory.