Anglers should keep ice augers sharp
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Last week, I had the pleasure of going ice fishing on Wassookeag Lake in the town of Dexter. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees. This was a far cry from the previous three weeks' temperatures, which had remained at zero or just below. Wassookeag holds a variety of game fish including salmon, brook trout, lake trout and rainbow smelt.
This particular day started out like any other ice-fishing day. I arrived lakeside at 6:30 a.m., and drilled several holes with my 10-inch Jiffy ice auger. The auger sliced through 2 feet of ice in just a few seconds and I quickly set up four tip-ups in hopes catching a game fish. Waiting for one of the tip-up flags to pop up, announcing a strike, I started jigging for smelt using a tiny, lead-weighted jig.
A short time later, another ice fisherman arrived and began drilling his fishing holes for the day. The angler was definitely having a hard time cutting a hole with his power auger. When drilling, the fisherman placed his entire upper body over the auger engine, in hopes the extra weight would help push the drill bit through the thick ice.
After a couple of minutes, he stopped to catch his breath, so I grabbed my auger and asked if he needed help. The angler quickly obliged and was quite amazed after watching how quickly my auger sliced through over two feet of solid white ice.
The fisherman was baffled about why his auger would hardly cut ice, even after installing a new cutting blade to the bottom of the auger bit. I explained the removable blade only shaves and removes ice chips during drilling. The arrowhead-shape tip located at the base of the bit is responsible for drawing the auger into ice. It must be kept razor-sharp at all times. Keeping the tip sharp is simple. One way is to use a flat metal shaving file, but to be careful to not change the angle of the cutting edge. Sharpen only one side at a time. You can also use a small Dremel-style power tool or a small grinding wheel to do the job. If you don't feel comfortable sharpening an auger bit, take it to a professional who specializes in placing an edge on cutting tools.
Custom Sharpening on Main Street in New Sharon is where I usually take mine. Owner Jim Fleming has made my auger perform effortlessly year after year for around $15 per sharpening. Keeping a sharp cutting edge on an auger makes all difference in the world when it comes to cutting ice and and starting to fish.
I almost forgot, ice fishing on Wassookeag Lake that day proved to be very productive. My catch of the day consisted of two legal salmon and enough bait-size smelt for a few more ice-fishing trips.
Dennis Bolduc is a devoted angler who lives in Oakland