I do some research this time of year to see what’s new for ice fishing.  The sport has grown in popularity and in addition to the perch and rainbow that people fish for through the ice, more lakes have good numbers of kokanee available.  When I browsed through some videos on ice fishing techniques I found many that were showing how to use trolling blades.  This concept may be new to me but looking at the dates on the videos people have been doing this for years.  Kokabow Fishing Tackle makes kokanee trolling blades in three sizes—3.75, 5.0 and 5.5 inches long.  In the videos I watched people were using everything from the small to large size blades.  Typically, anglers use 10 to 12 inches of leader below the blade to a Swedish Pimple or one of their favorite ice fishing jigs.  The lures are tipped with a maggot, wax worm, a piece of nightcrawler or a kernel of corn.  The whole set up is then jigged so that the blade and Swedish Pimple or jig flutters and is active.  From what I learned about this technique it is highly effective.  When I pack my gear for an ice fishing trip to one of my favorite lakes this winter, I will be sure to bring my Kokabow blades along!