Out with the Family

I can usually get my wife to go with me ice fishing only once a year. So I was totally shocked when she actually wanted to go today. Okay, seriously now, she wanted to go last night but this morning was a little more hesitant. I guess our bed must be too comfortable. 

Anyway, even though getting everything ready takes forever when the boys are involved, we still managed to get to Scofield Res. at about 8:30am. A quick walk down the hill and we were setting up in about 19' of water. 

He's ready

Other than two light hits for the wife, this spot was pretty dead. So I decided to move in a little closer to shore to see if they were cruising the shorelines. Once I found the 9' depth mark it was a completely different lake. 

Only Tiger of the day

Constant hits and four fish while trying to get the shack and equipment relocated made the move even more of a pain, but it was good to be seeing fish. 

He may have channeled his Great Grandpa on the hookset
 (just a little overexcited), but he got the job done

Unfortunately, once the whole outfit was set up again the fishing slowed down a bit. Both boys were able to get a fish, though the younger one needed a little help, and couldn't hold on to it for the pic. Pink Maniac Gizzy Bugs and Orange Maniac Cutter Bugs seemed to be the jigs of choice, but only when tipped with minnow.

For the record, the boys only wear Broncos stuff because
of their Mother, I'm a 49ers fan.

Once the action had slowed, so did the enthusiasm for keeping after it. So we loaded up and drug the sled up the hill, which because of all the packed down snow proved to be quite the challenge. Oh well, good day out with the family on the hardeck. Hopefully, you can out and enjoy the water. But more importantly, get together and enjoy your family for the holidays!

Packing List

So far this year I've been out on the ice twice, and both trips I've forgotten very little of what I need. Usually, in my excited haste I forget something extremely important and/or useful. But this year is different because I made a packing list to reference each time I'm getting things ready to go. So Here's my list:

• Jet Sled
• Poles
• Jigs
• Bait - minnows and meal worms
• Ice Shack
• Fish Finder
• Auger
• Lighter
• Camera 
• Stove
• Water
• Soup/food & snacks
• Pan
• Plastic Cups
• Ice scoop
• Knife
• Plastic bags
• Toilet paper
• Chairs
• Pliers
• Propane
• Heater
• Hot Chocolate

The last two on the list are usually only taken if the family is coming with me, or I'm expecting things to get really cold. All of this 'stuff' packs nicely into my jet sled and I'm never without anything I need, or most times even anything I want.

Is there anything missing from the list? Anything you'd do without?

With any luck my family will do some ice fishing tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes. Hope that you can get out and enjoy the water.

Out in the cold...

This afternoon I managed to get out for a little more ice fishing with a couple of friends of mine. One of these guys had only been out on the ice once before. I really wanted it to be a good experience for him so then he could decide if this was something he liked. Decided on a lake that I hadn't heard much about since winter overtook us. That probably should've been a clue....

The snow was deep, the ice slushy, the fish few and far between (the sightings that is, we didn't actually catch anything), and man, oh man, it was cold! Like hands freezing to the auger cold!

So this brings me to the point of this picture-less post....I want to go again tomorrow. Do you think I have a problem?

(And yeah, when I'm ice fishing sometimes I daydream about flyfishing once the weather warms up, so what?)

First Ice

Tis the season for a bit of ice fishing. Normally I'm more of a fly guy, but once the temps get cold enough to put ice in the guides on every cast I'm all for busting out the auger and going after the trout from the hard-deck. So bright and early I got the boy out of bed and we readied ourselves for the day out in the weather.

He seems a little tired

Cold, but pretty

Realizing that we weren't exactly outfitted for the new season, we had to make a couple of unplanned stops. When we finally made it up to Scofield Reservoir it looked more like a tent city, but we found a corner for ourselves and got our shack set-up.

This guy put up a good fight

The boy was workin' it early and found a willing Tiger Trout and several Cutts. 

Lot's O Cutts

Later I managed a few of my own, between making some lunch (Ramen Noodles, oranges, m&m's and coke...Whatever it takes to keep the kid happy)

The boy likes being the photog too

It didn't seem to matter what jigs we used, when the school came through they were hitting anything we had down. Made for a great time out in nature with some great company. Got to take those kids fishing, before they get old and boring! I think my guy will remember this one for a while. He fished more independently that he ever has before, and we even spotted a wild turkey and several deer on the way home. The conversation on the ride was all about the next adventure. Hope you can get out and enjoy the water, hard or otherwise.

Last look back

Sunset on Skyline Drive

Beginning of the End

Thanksgiving break came with a lot of 'stuff' to get done this year. So I was really excited to be able to get out today and enjoy the last of the good weather. Bright and early I was heading south to pick up where we had left off on The Sevier River.

Early success

 Once I hit the water I was greeted with a couple of quick fish. But holy crap it was cold!

Never had ice cake my line before...

 The cold and ice made for some slow going, especially when I got a tangle or had to tie a knot, but once the sun came out it warmed up fast.

Beauty

And the fishing warmed up too. Nymphs were the way to go for sure. Best fly was the mod. Hares Ear by far and was consistent throughout the day. 

Post spawn

Fishing was awesome throughout the day, but the last hour was amazing. After a fish rose to my indicator I threw on a Chubby Chernobyle and managed a few on top, on a terrestrial, on the first of December!

Double!

Last cast of the day I managed a double! One on top and one on the dropper. 

Mug Shot

Playing with the camera

Parting Shot

Amazing day on the stream today, but looking at the forecast it'll probably be the last for a little while. I think it might be time to break out the auger and hit the hard deck. Either way, I can't wait to get out again. Hopefully you'll get a chance to get out and enjoy the water.