Hunting rapids and winter water huntin'

[neralich]

VEIW FINDERS(or whatever you call them)

After Willybee's post I am prompted to see what others are using for hunting rippled currents in creeks, rivers and lakes, etc

If your not using a viewer of some sort, your missing out on finds. Willybee can attest to that on his latest adventure

Here is my veiwer that I just finished. To be held in hand and able to carry by backpack. It's not very fancy but if it helps me find points I'd otherwise miss, who cares!!



Anyways, let's see what y'all are using for those kinds of hunting situations; (if anything),,,

Here is Slingblade showing off his veiwfinder. I have used this one and is very impressive. Works amazingly and is made similar to a metal detector.



WINTER WATER HUNTIN'

What do you all use to keep your hands from getting frost bit when you find a point in a couple of feet of water when it's frigid COLD out?

I devised the following in a matter of minutes using a generic spatula and electrical tape. I simply taped it in two places and the tape is forgiving and I can remove the spatula as needed and carry in the backpack, and replace as necessary when needed This also allows me to use my walking stick as a probe and as a walking stick

[Indianasmith]

I always just get my hand wet!!!! LOL

[Wichita]

I use a 8'' by 16'' pyrex casserole dish. It works, but it's rough on my back bending over constantly.

[sandhills]

cut the bottom out of a 5 gallon bucket and then glue some plexy glass to the bottom, thats what I use and it works well

[MO816]

Great ideas I use a rake lol but have always had problems viewing in rapids for the cold water the rake is handy I also have rubber gloves (BA gloves, from the farm when they had to mix chems for the dairy ) but they too bulky

[douglaslefler]

I bought some 5mm scuba diving gloves off amazon for like 12 dollars you can put your hand in freezing water all day without them getting cold. They keep your hands very warm even when they are wet and they are also very flexible and you can even light a cigarette without taking them off! Best gloves I have ever bought.

[Tdog]

Plexiglass lens glued with silicone in the bottom of a styrofoam minnow bucket. Feet are shock absorber grommets also glued on with silicone. Another good thing is that it can still be used as a minnow bucket!

[Displaced Hunter]

This is just what I was looking for, well kind-of.

Last forum I was on years ago had a couple of guys looking to make a commercial offering, curious if anything ever came of it? they were really tight-lipped about the whole project.

I've still got a large, heavy 2-handled prototype that I never finished, think I'd prefer the one-handed unit pictured.

[Rockit Man]

Love this thread...started using scopes to find lures and fish a long time ago. 4" pvc with drilled and glued glass to match. length to meet height. love the bumper idea from scratching the lense. Mine is in storage but will take pics the end of this month. Now I have to write down my intentions. does any one else have a memory problem? been wanting to respond to this thread since it first began.

[adamckee]

Here are a few tools I use for creek hunting year round, but especially in winter. The first one is a nice staff that I am sure most of you carry. I drove a nail into the end of it for flipping rocks in fields, as well as in the creek. Saves a lot of bending over, and nice to have for stability and protection. The second tool I have been using this winter. After using this on dozens of hunts, I can't imagine creek hunting without it. I think I would give up the staff before I gave up this thing! It is just one of those cheap, "old man" grabbers I call them that is 3' long. I bought two of them from Harbor Freight for $2.00 each and they are awesome! You can reach down into deep water, and it extends your reach for creek banks or even walking fields I just reach down and grab stuff quickly and precisely. No more wet cold hands for the most part! It has been surprisingly durable and even when it freezes up I just stick it under water and squeeze the handle a few times an I am good to go. I think I am going to go get like 10 more and just tuck them away. Best $2.00 I have spent in a long time!