Feature: Russian Far Easterners hooked on ice fishing

Ice fishing is a popular hobby for residents in Vladivostok, a main port of Russia's Far East.

Almost every Vladivostok household has ice fishing rods, tackle and equipment. As food prices keep going up, the avocation also provide many families with a free extra meal.

Every winter morning, hundreds of locals, clad in insulated and waterproof clothes, and holding seats, ice drills, tackle and other equipment, rush to frozen parts of Peter the Great Gulf close to the Russky Island.

"I go ice fishing almost every day and catch enough for a good dinner. Fish in the grocery stores is over frozen and tastes different, not that good," 80-year-old pensioner Gennady Viktorovitch told Xinhua.

"I just got those! The fish is fresh, tastes good! " he said, pointing at the pile of smelt and cod.

"I'd call it my leisure time. As soon as I have spare time I come here. City is filled with cars, noises, contamination and dust! Here is so quiet and pleasant," ice fishing fan Aleksander Yakovlevitch said.

As ice fishing enthusiasts say, catch depends on luck.

Sometimes, they could catch five to seven fishes, enough for a dinner. Sometimes, there could be some 300 tails and more. The excess amount goes on sale. A price for a handful of 10 to 20 fishes ranges from 500 to 1,000 rubles (seven to 15 U.S. dollars). Endi