Closing in on Transition Time

It's getting to be that time of year when we cold-footers begin to think about ice fishing season. Some years we're on the ice by Thanksgiving. Other years it's more like Christmas. But I need to go through my equipment and make sure that fish-finder batteries are still good, that reels are spooled up with fresh mono, and that we have some early ideas as to where we want to do our fishing this year. Success rates have been down the past 2 seasons, so I'd like to just think that things will improve this year. We deserve better than we've been getting. Come on ice!

One thing I HAVE to do this year is down-size my load of "stuff" that I try to haul out onto the ice. Too much weight, and I'm getting too old to keep up with the boys as they scoot across the ice with their sleds. I carry too many lures and such. I've got to get a small bag and just place the bare minimum in there for fishing use. Of course, I still need to find a place for Mr. Heater to ride along.

Rainbows at Strawberry

The rainbows were really biting well at Strawberry last weekend. We caught about 4 to 1 rainbows over cutts. And the cutthroats had little size to them. But we weren't upset; Jon, Paul and I all caught some fish. So it was a good day. We used crawfish colored tube jigs early, and then switched to white Rooster-Tails as the sun climbed higher in the sky. The trout were rather shallow, and we only trolled with mono. The bite was pretty continuous, and if we'd have caught all the fish that gave us hits, we'd have caught a bunch! But that's Strawberry. You never know what you're going to get. For example, we had perfectly calm water all morning, and then the wind blew up big time at noon. We had to make our way slowly across the bay to make it back safely to the marina. - We did see some kokanee in the river, by the way. The biggest part of the spawn is over, but a few fish remain in the stream.

Annual Kokanee Run

This picture was taken by an unknown photographer who captured the kokanee salmon run in a place called Taylor Creek. I just had to post it here. The kokes are running up the Strawberry River right now too. I need to get up there to see some of the action.

Meet Trevor

Trevor Balls thanks the duck gods for a good morning on the pond.

He is big into both fishing and hunting. So he fits right into the family! I've been fortunate that way. Above is a picture of his hunting partner, Boomer, and some of the ducks they took early one morning near Willard.

Mantua's Hot Trout Fishing

Paxton poses with one of his many fish on this day at Mantua Reservoir. The trout were heavy in numbers, and feeding actively. This was easily a 50 fish day!

Bear Lake Macs

In late September, Jon and I took a Friday off to venture up to Bear Lake in search of some lake trout. The fishing was slow, as we only got 3 fish to the boat. Jon was skunked this time; that never happens to him! Although he had numerous hits, the hook-ups just wouldn't come.
I kept two macs; one about 4 pounds and the other just under 7. We were fishing over 65 to 85 feet of water, with our lures at 50 feet. The bigger mac gave me a good fight, and I enjoyed it very much. Those fish were filleted for dinner one evening.

The weather was perfect. Just wish the fish had cooperated better.

Here's a look at the biggest of the 3 lakers. We were hoping for one over 10, which Jon has done up there before.

The Tradition Continues

Young Paxton, seen here at Mantua Reservoir, has now been officially introduced to fishing by his dad, Jon. Grandpa was there to witness the big moment. Paxton caught 5 fish on this day; the perch you see here, a small largemouth bass, and several bluegill.
His dad now says he's ready for his first ice trip. We need to get him out in the boat, too.