I know visitors to Ice Shanty seem to have been dropping off, and some topics involve hanging up the gear. I guess folks are turning to other pursuits as spring blooms. Well, I'm trying to squeeze out every last opportunity that I can on the ice before water starts lapping at my toes.
Saturday I took a friend ice fishing for his very first time. We went to N. Delaney - only 1 other car there. We sight fished in 8' of water for a few hours - saw some huge fish swim by, and had a couple of attempts at our jigs by decent fish, but caught nothing. Still fun to watch them, though.
Then we went to Lake John so he could catch something. Maybe four other parties on the ice at noon. Set up right offshore from the picnic grounds in 10' of water. Using small tan curlytail tubes with krill tipping the hook. Right off the bat he got a nice 14" rainbow that was almost black in coloration. Shorthly after, he nailed a fat 17" bow that went for several runs before he brought him out. Well over 2 pounds, I believe. Great time. Weather incredible, and very little mud anywhere. Got a little sunburn on my face. Ice still hard as a rock and over 20", so still time for last minute fixes for the rest of you.
