The season’s uncommonly mild temperatures are welcome news to most residents whose winter heating bills have been lower than expected.
The warm trend has been less than desirable to Ron Jedlicki, owner of Hook, Line & Sinker in downtown Lake Orion.
The Broadway Street bait and fishing tackle shop has fewer customers than usual lately, primarily because of the lack of ice on area lakes.
While the most avid fishermen can still be seen out on the lakes, Jedlicki says the ice fishing portion of his business has been less than solid.
‘We’ve had a lot of mild winters in recent years, but this is the latest we’ve not seen ice,? he says. ‘Things started slow and then got better last year. The ice was good through February and into March. But I think this year is the warmest weather we’ve seen.?
When Jedlicki began his business 15 years ago, the past 13 in Lake Orion, he was essentially a summertime fisherman. That tradition changed one winter, when he was enticed by a friend to try dropping a line through the ice.
‘I’d lived in Michigan all my life and would get cabin fever during the winter months — because I couldn’t fish,? he recalls. ‘One of my friends said, ‘why don’t you come out ice fishing,? and I did. I’ve been hooked ever since.?
The popularity of ice fishing has helped keep Hook, Line & Sinker in business over the years. This year, though, Jedlicki has had to rely nearly exclusively on his regular customer base — which tends to be year-round fishermen.
‘When I started in this business, I assumed the summer would be the best time for us,? he says. ‘It’s turned out that winter is now our busiest and most profitable season.
‘We also sell a lot more live bait in the winter to ice fishermen,? adding that summer fishermen typically prefer using lures.
Turning to a pair of spring-clad customers this week, Jedlicki pointed out further evidence of the continuing balmy weather conditions: ‘Look, it’s the first week in January, and they’re going fishing in shorts.?
One of those customers, David Fischer, 20, a student at MSU, was home for the Christmas break and shopping for bait. He wasn’t particularly fazed by the lack of ice on nearby lakes.
‘I’m a little bit disappointed that there’s no ice right now,? he said, ‘but I prefer to fish open water, anyway.?
His fishing partner, 20-year-old Pat Streit of Oxford, is counting on a good freeze so he can take advantage of his new ice fishing gear.
?’I just got a new auger and equipment for Christmas and haven’t been able to use it yet,? Streit said. The Michigan Tech student said even the lakes in the U.P. still aren’t frozen solid.
‘We have ice up there, but my buddy just told me it’s not safe to go out yet.?
Weather is only one of the factors making things tough on bait shop owners these days, says Jedlicki. Besides the slow economy and competition from bigger stores, he sees a decreasing interest in the sport.
‘There are fewer bait shops operating than in the past — and there’s a reason for that,? he says. ‘The market for fishing is not what it once was.
‘The interest just isn’t there. Not as many dads are taking their kids out fishing like they used to. The kids prefer to spend their time in front of their computers or televisions. They don’t even go outside anymore.?
Jedlicki remains optimistic that a cold snap is inevitable, which will allow area lakes to develop a firm foundation for fishermen who still enjoy getting out on the ice.
‘When that happens, I expect to be putting in a lot of hours at the store,? he says. ‘We’ll be ready.?
For now, Jedlicki suggests that ice fishermen keep a close eye on conditions at some of the area’s smaller, more shallow lakes.
‘The smaller lakes tend to ice up sooner,? he says. ‘Shoe Lake is one of the first public lakes to freeze up. There are a lot of pike, perch, crappy and bluegill in there.?
Jedlicki says that when local fisherman are ready to head out on the ice, to stop by his shop. He’ll have all the equipment and bait they need.
Hook, Line & Sinker is located at 12 N. Broadway St. in downtown Lake Orion.
For more information, call Ron Jedlicki at (248)814-9216.