Upper Woods, Pennsylvania

January 6, 1999

Oh yes...ice fishing! Hey you gotta do something between the seasons. I got into ice fishing when I had a house upstate in Sullivan County and across the Delaware River in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Not all lakes are productive for ice fishing, so I will save you a lot of wasted time.

First of all, before you head out, here is a list of some of the things you will need:

> Ice Auger (to drill holes in the ice)
> Tip ups (at least 4)
> Ultra light reels with ice jigging rods
(they're cheap, don't worry, you won't have to sell your first born)
> A bucket with a cushion to sit on (make it or buy it, it's up to you)
> A cheap sled, to carry your stuff across the ice.

What to wear:

> Snowsuit is a must with lots of layers underneith. Long johns, so on and so on.
> The most important thing is your feet...mess up here and you will be going home early.
> Be sure to wear some good water proof boots with insulation and heavy duty wool socks...we're not going for a fashion show here. It's an Elmer Fud special.
> Now for your head...a wool face mask, the kind that looks like you're going to rob a bank, will do just fine!
> Don't go cheap on the gloves...it's your fingers not mine...frost bite really does hurt. Cut off gloves work well for jigging.

If this sounds like a lot, it really isn't. Once you have the set up, it will last you a loooong time.

I do not believe in freezing, I like to be toasty warm and comfortable.

I have three very productive lakes. My favorite ice fishing is for crappies...second favorite is for trout and third is CRAPPIES! Don't be surprised if you pull up a lunker bass. I have had bass up to 6 lbs. that didn't fit through the hole that I had drilled!

OK let go ice fishing...we're going to Upper Woods.

Here are the directions... From New York City/Long Island Take the George Washington Bridge to the Palisades Parkway North. Take to US 6 West to Exit 104, Route 17B West (Monticello). Go past the Racetrack. Continue straight for approximately 15-20 minutes till you reach Fosterdale (flashing light). Here 17B turns right you should continue straight through the light onto Old Cochecton Turnpike. Take to the end and make a left onto Route 97 (which runs along the Delaware River). Then a quick right to Cochecton, go down the hill and under the railroad track. Continue straight through town and over the river bridge...you are now in Damascus, Pennsylvania. Go straight up the hill...you are on Route 371. Continue straight on Rt. 371 till you reach the intersection with Rt. 191 at Rileyville. Continue straight through the intersection...go 2-3 miles you will see a sign on your right directing you to Upper Woods, make a right turn and go down the country road about a mile and you will see another sign on your right directing you down to the lake.

It may sound complicated, but all you are really doing is going to Monticello and making a left and going straight West (about 30-40 minutes) until you see the sign for Upper Woods. There is also a lake called Lower Woods, which you will see before you reach Upper Woods...this is a great bass lake in the spring, but not very productive for ice fishing. To see a map of where Upper Woods is located, click here and work your way backwards.

Click here for Part II!

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