As many of you northern sailors, I have the pleasure of free mooring space (my mushroom and chain dropped where I see fit). There is however the issue of finding the mush and chain in the spring after the lake has frozen over.I've used a few methods, not all easy or stupid proof, and had some suggestions. Thought I'd put it out to those of you who've done this.......How do you find your tackle in the spring? Please, no GPS or techno stuff, just old time methods of making your tackle findable in the spring when winter runoff makes the lake waters less then clear and when 12' of summer depth becomes 18' due to winter snow melt..... Thanks in advance, I'm ageing and would like to cut back on my spring time diving.
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I pull my mooring for the winter. Leaving the float on the mooring out there during winter could cost you ever finding it. If it becomes frozen in, as the thaw begins and the ice flows begin to breakup, they can carry your entire mooring away where you will never find it.
- Jan 22, 2008
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orange or white bleach bottle and yellow poly line
Cheap, easy to see, and dispensible if the ice reaks havoc with it. We use it annually to mark a sunken wharf near our marina. The lake has no current or tide, so ice movement with wind is the only factor that may move it. The lake is no more than 17' deep so we just put 20' of line on it and let the chain and anchor rest in the mud. I've also used an old boat fender in the past, but the bleach bottle is just as good. The line floats too!
Cheap, easy to see, and dispensible if the ice reaks havoc with it. We use it annually to mark a sunken wharf near our marina. The lake has no current or tide, so ice movement with wind is the only factor that may move it. The lake is no more than 17' deep so we just put 20' of line on it and let the chain and anchor rest in the mud. I've also used an old boat fender in the past, but the bleach bottle is just as good. The line floats too!
Another suggestion
By some stranded cable at the hardware - maybe 1/4". Attach it to your mooring chain and let it sink to the bottom. Run the cable to shore using enough so the cable is resting on the bottom. Attach it to something solid on shore and then retrace your steps when the ice breaks in the spring.
By some stranded cable at the hardware - maybe 1/4". Attach it to your mooring chain and let it sink to the bottom. Run the cable to shore using enough so the cable is resting on the bottom. Attach it to something solid on shore and then retrace your steps when the ice breaks in the spring.
I'm With Roger
Be sure to use line that floats. Even if the ice breaks off the floating bottle, the line will be there and should be find-able.
Be sure to use line that floats. Even if the ice breaks off the floating bottle, the line will be there and should be find-able.
Winter Stick
We use a winter stick if our mooring gear does not need repair for the next season. 6'x 4"x4" of cedar painted with bottom paint, eye bolt in the top for hooking in the springtime, enough 1/4" chain to allow your mooring chain to sit in the bottom mud. Works perfectly. In salt water about 1' of stick shows above water line. The mooring chain seems to rust less in the mud than it does on shore for the winter, lack of oxygen. A bit or reflective tape on the top and it can be seen from the shore a night with a bright light.
We use a winter stick if our mooring gear does not need repair for the next season. 6'x 4"x4" of cedar painted with bottom paint, eye bolt in the top for hooking in the springtime, enough 1/4" chain to allow your mooring chain to sit in the bottom mud. Works perfectly. In salt water about 1' of stick shows above water line. The mooring chain seems to rust less in the mud than it does on shore for the winter, lack of oxygen. A bit or reflective tape on the top and it can be seen from the shore a night with a bright light.
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