We also want to remind you to please respect our ice, not only early and late ice, but during the heart of the season by making sure your fishing spot is how you found it.  Every little bit helps.  Please introduce someone new to ice fishing.  Young or old, adult or a kid, it’s a great sport that will make memories for a lifetime.

Good luck to all and if StrikeMaster has anything to say, may your gas tank be full, blades sharp bucket full and memories abound.

The StrikeMaster Team

Where I live, and fish, we have to sometime deal with altitude issues in our machinery, not to mention legs and lungs!  I am going to give you all a few tips on living at high altitudes, and keeping you gear in tip top condition.  First and foremost, your FUEL!  Some of the most common complaints with poor running engines is fuel related.  For my augers, I start every winter off with fresh, high octane fuel.  I usually fill my cans when archery season opens, the first weekend in September here in Montana.  That way I know I can still get ethanol free, summer fuel (non-oxygenated).  Altitude makes fuel so much more critical due to the lack of oxygen and bad fuel will be less tolerated by the engine.

My augers (and four wheeler) get new fuel and a new spark plug every winter.  I pre-treat all my fuel with a conditioner, like Amsoil P.I, Sta-Bil or Startron.  This keeps your fuel fresher longer, and most importantly, keeps condensation at bay.  I am a synthetic's guy and I have used Amsoil Saber Professional oil for years in all my 2 stoke machinery.  One auger likes it at the 100:1 ratio and the other likes it at about 80:1.  If your machines are still under warranty, then you need to follow the recommended mixtures exactly, but as they get older, you will be amazed at how an engine will respond to a certain oil/fuel ratio, just like how some guns like certain ammo better than others.  Of course, if you own a Strike-Lite, none of this matters at all.

I of course go over my equipment with a fine toothed comb at this time as well.  The first hot bite of the season is no time to realize your fuel line got pinched, or the cat chewed the spark plug wire!  Everything gets a coating of a metal protect ant, the blades get sharpened or replaced and the machine gets run to operating temperature at least twice before I am satisfied it is ready for first ice. And don't forget about your hand auger, makes sure the blades are good to go and the handle is adjusted correctly to your height.  Its not the time on the ice to have to make these adjustments, the fish are biting!

Lastly, I should still be in shape from the hunts of the year, but at higher altitudes, poor physical condition, again, is multiplied.  Bulky clothing, big boots and deep snow all make your motions so much harder on your body, so think about your condition before you find out that...you should have thought about your condition a little more!  Get out and walk now, while the fall colors and cool evenings make it so enjoyable. 

Pay a little attention now to your equipment, including your number one machine, YOU, and make this winters ice season your best yet.  A small amount of attention to detail now, will make your time on the ice more fun, more enjoyable, and more productive, and that is what ice fishing is all about!  Visit www.perchassault.com this winter for more tips and ice fishing news from Big Sky Country.

Mike Howe
StrikeMaster Pro Staff
Kalispell, MT

What's the difference between Tecumseh and Solo Engines?
The biggest difference is power. Tecumseh were great engines, we used them for years. But the Solo engine has taken ice fishing to a new level. The power and performance are amazing. Both engines are two cycle and need to be maintained.