The Russians certainly aren’t shy around the cold. Famed for swimming around in ice capped lakes and regularly taking dips in subzero temperatures, they’ve come to embrace their cold environment and turn it into entertainment. Which is why it should be no surprise to find a Russian ice fishing with his bare hands.
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The amazing part, however, is how successful he is at it. Here we see a Russian plunging his fist into a hole in the ice in a common technique used by big catfish hunters as “noodling”. It involves making rhythmic motions with one’s arm under water in the hopes of attracting a fish to take a bite.
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However, unlike catfishing, pike are known for their sharp, pointy mouths perfect for amputating a digit or two. So, what is it about this style of ice fishing? Is it the vodka? Or maybe it’s the thrill you get from putting yourself on the brink of hypothermia. We may never know.
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As far back as humans have been eating, they’ve been developing clever ways to catch fish without the use of tools. It’s a basic survival essential. Often times, a fishing r
Unique Fishing Techniques
As far back as humans have been eating, they’ve been developing clever ways to catch fish without the use of tools. It’s a basic survival essential. Often times, a fishing rod or spear is not accessible and a meal is needed now. Thankfully, we’ve listed a couple different major techniques in case someone plans on picking their own meal straight out of the water sans reel.
• Noodling
Noodling is a common technique used to attract a fish by using your arm to mimic the movements of a smaller, skinnier fish. It’s all in the motion, as the saying goes. But this is actually the crucial step to getting a pike or a catfish to commit to the bite. Once clamped down, that fish is going to put all its energy in trying to swallow your arm – so it’s important you get a good grip and fight it to the surface. That’s no small feat with a ten pound fish. In fact, many “noodlers” who go after larger catfish tend to work with a buddy to make sure the fight goes well. It’s a true contest of mettle to see who has more dedication to dinner – the fish or you.
This one is probably the oldest technique. Typically used in shallow and clear waters where fish are clearly visible – there is a surprising amount of technique outside of simple coordination required to pull this off. Because light diffracts through the water differently than it does air, a bare handed fisherman intent on a good supper needs to realize the fish he’s seeing is not actually in the position he’s seeing it in. There’s a couple factors at play. A major one is how close the fish is to the surface. The closer to the surface of the water, the truer their position appears relative to your perception. Conversely, the further away – or deeper – the more necessary it is to estimate its true position.
• Slow Hands
Despite the name, it’s really just a slight alteration of the “fast hands” fishing technique. For this technique, though, you’re going to have to get a little wet. Okay, a LOT wet. The slow handed technique relies upon your hands already being completely submerged and sneaking up very slowly on a fish dwelling in the water. The advantage of this style is you can move faster to your prey if your hands don’t have to break the friction surface of the water to strike. Like noodling, it also requires soft, rhythmic motions to keep from startling the fish away. It really shines in watery environments where a fish can be seen but can’t be easily struck from above. Survival fishing ultimately boils down to whatever tool is available to you used in the most successful manner. While there are plenty of videos which illustrate different ways to build a fishing pole or net out of commonly available items, the two tools we almost always have are our hands. And sometimes, as is the case with this brave Russian fisherman, the best tool is the one closest at hand.
