These are one of those topics that you really don’t think about until, until it happens to you. Over the years, one way or another, I have found a need for the following items to come with me out onto the ice.
First of all, by hook or crook, find a way to carry a small first aid kit with you while venturing for onto the ice. The other day I said I can testify to the sharpness of the auger blades from first”hand” knowledge. After that little episode, I made up a small kit for such emergencies in the future. There are small alcohol swabs/patches, some band-aids of different sizes, some gauze patches, and duct tape. Yes, duct tape! When you have a fairly deep cut, skip the wussie butterfly bandages, duct tape will hold you together a whole lot better. Also, something to include would be a small pair of wire cutters. Some folks will find this gross, others will find this to be practical. If you get a hook stuck in you to the point where the barb has been buried in the skin, push the point out through the skin in another location, use the wire cutters to cut the section off and pull out through the initial hole/puncture point. Cover, wrap…etc, and if you are like me and do not have a clue when your last shot was, go see the doctor soon after.
The second kit can be the difference of having a small problem with a solution, or ruining your whole day/trip. Build yourself an auger repair kit. First step is to actually go and study your hand and/or power auger. Look for anything that you might need to tighten up, make a list of the tools needed. I have allen wrenches, hex bolt drivers, screwdrivers, pliers. What can you replace quickly while out on the ice? Auger blades, cords for covers or carriers, and spare parts for the blades and fuel tanks come in handy. Many of these items will not occur to you until you actually need them when something happens the first time. If you do not have some of these already, add it to the list. I just thought of this one, a replacement recoil rope.
When is a good time to take the list and actually get them, right now. Even though many of us are still fishing, the stores are wrapping up the sales of these items as we speak. Many of them have sold out already, those that have not, will have them at pretty good discounts. Ideal time to go shopping to be ready for next season.
What else do I carry with me? Spare bungee cords, lots of them in a variety of sizes. Zip ties for fastening things down quickly and securely. Spare spikes, and a set or two of Artic Spurs (cleats) for when I get into some glare ice and things get slippery. You can use any type, but these are the kind that I like using myself.
You will never realize how much you need things like these until you do not have them with you. Just to wrap this up with some pictures. This first one is a handy old Craftsman case from Sears. Originally it housed one of their kits, which included a drill, and light, all cordless, with the battery charging unit. I have it strapped down with a cargo net that I just picked up at the local Tractor Supply Co. located in Dundee on their clearance rack. This case was particulary well suited for the job because it is a relatively thin case, and fits underneath the power auger rack. It has enough clearance for even when I have the 10 inch drill on.
This picture shows the interior of the case. I had to do a little work on this to get it ready to take the two kits and accesories inside. Using a rotary (Dremel) tool, I cut all the molding out from the lid and bottom of the case. This can get messy, but these tools are fantastic for a lot of do-it-yourself type modifications to your ice fishing equipment. One helpful hint, periodically take the time to clean the tool, the black dust can jam up the works, as well as overheat the tool. Its a good thing to have a air compressor handy to blow the dust off and clean the tool during and after use. The hexagon tube on the left center of the case are some handy tools, also bought on clearance from TSC. The screwdriver (with two heads), utility knife, and two sets of pliers fit nicely because of the room made by cutting the molding out of the top and bottom of the case. You can see the first aid kit on the left, and on the far right is the auger repair kit. Both these small tool boxes use for the kits were bought for 2 bucks each at the Big Lots in Monroe. You do not have to spend a ton of money on these little kits to make them functional. Just having them, when you need them most, is what matters.