DNR hosts first podcast show on ice fishing

For all the Apple Ipods, Dell DJs, Creative Zens and dozen or so other brands of portable audio players that were given as gifts this holiday season, the DNR has just released a 'podcast' called "Ice Fishing Tips" for recipients to try them out on.

"A podcast is similar to a radio show only instead of tuning it in on the radio, you download it from the DNR Web site to your computer and then transfer it to a player. That way you can listen to it on the go," said Tim Smalley, DNR information officer and safety specialist. "They are called podcasts because of the popularity of Apple's Ipod, but they can be played on anything that will play an MP3 audio file."

"Ice Fishing Tips" features a 30-minute interview with Terry Tuma, Minnesota-based outdoor writer, fishing guru and angling instructor. This is believed to be the first-ever podcast on the topic.

"Ice fishing has become a fairly high tech activity, with many winter anglers becoming tech-savvy by using fish locators, GPS units and underwater video cameras," Smalley said. "By putting fishing information in an easy-to-access format on the Web, we hope to not only encourage ice fishing, but also help anglers be successful and safe while they are on the ice."

Topics covered include how to dress for comfort against the cold while ice fishing; basic equipment like shelters, rods, bait and electronics such as locators and underwater video; and how and where to find the fish.

"We were lucky to get Terry to help us with this project," said Smalley. "He is not just an expert angler, but he is a gifted teacher. Terry puts on dozens of fishing seminars throughout the year, so he knows how to convey his knowledge to anglers in an understandable and entertaining way. I have sat in on a few of his classes and he really knows his audience and they relate to him."

"I also chime in on ice safety and survival and where to go to learn more," Smalley added.

People don't even need an MP3 player to hear the show. All listeners really need is a computer, Internet access and audio software that will play MP3 files.

The "Ice Fishing Tips" podcast is available on the DNR Web site by going to www.dnr.state.mn.us.

"Just about any 12-year-old will be able to tell you how to download the show to your computer and audio player," Smalley said. "Or, if worse comes to worst, you could always read the instructions that came with your player's software. I'm over 50 and even I could do it."