The older my bones get the more thankful I am for the auger. I used to do the rope thing with my spud but I hated tying anything that heavy to my wrist in case I went through the ice. There were times I'm sure when my wife probably would have liked to tie it around my neck. Now a days I ice fish in the canal at Bolles Harbor or in the lagoons at Sterling. Both crappie and blue gill spots with some perch (usually small), The water by the launch ramps is only about 6 ft. With this weather I'm sure the ice is shot. I'm going to check it out this afternoon. I think this morning will be a good time for a little squirrel hunting.