Ice Fishing

Ok,ok, so I have been a bit of a slacker lately and not keeping up with the blog.

Anyway a couple of weeks ago I when up ice fishing with some friends to Williams Fork Reservoir. It turned out to be a perfect day for it actually. Normally you expect -15 to -10F conditions and a stiff breeze flying across the unbroken expanse of frozen lake. Luckily it hovered around freezing, the sun came out, and there was no wind to speak of....like I said... perfect for ice fishing.

I was actually the first one to get a bite, but at this time of the season you're lucky to hookup since they bite pretty soft. It's cold down there and the Lake Trout aren't moving very fast so they tend to nibble at your hook instead of actually hitting it hard. Needless to say I didn't land that one, but he had more buddies lurking about.

It was slow going all morning but everyone eventually got something out on the ice. Most weren't too big and got sent back like this sub-prime specimen that Steve's holding.

Two of the guys had Vexlar fish finding units. I'd never used one before so it was kind of fun to try it out. You can actually watch your lure sink down through the water column below your hole and watch the fish come by and check it out. All too often they follow it around and don't actually strike, but it is amazing to know that they are there and showing some interest. No telling how many hours I've spent dangling a hook not even knowing if I was wasting my time.

Here's the pile that went home. Of course that monster in the middle is the record for the day (caught by your's truely) and measured in at around 16"-18" inches. It's about time since the last few trips didn't land us a thing.