Last Kick @ The Ice Road

[Drifter_016]

Well we went from -30 to +5 in a weeks time.
Spring has started to, well, spring in the North country.
I took to the ice roads in search of lakers for the last time this season today.



The portages and approaches are going down hill in a hurry and I doubt they will be drive-able next weekend. 







As usual I was the first to arrive at the jump off point to my jump off point to my destination. I would find that I had quite a bit of company when I returned at the end of the day. There were another 8-10 trucks with trailers attached parked in the parking area.   



Lat week I picked up another power auger off the local trader site here in town. It is an 8" Strikemaster Mora bit with a Tanaka TIA-305 power head. I had heard nothing but good things about these power heads. They are comparable to the Husquvarna power heads. I will say I'm not disappointed at all. This thing is light, runs mint, idles like a dream and has gobs of power!!!!   

Lots of snow still so the ice was only 4 1/2 feet thick.     



Fishing was tough today. Well, not really that tough. I just sucked at landing fish.     



Had fish under the hut all day but they were very neutral and would look but not chase or commit. Ended up with a total of 7 hits with 3 fish on and only one landed.







Even had a critter sighting on the lake today.
Not really sure but I think it was a lynx.   
This hot is heavily cropped as the critter was close to 400 yards away.



Another gratuitous scenery pic.



A last look at the ice road on the way home.



And tomorrow nights dinner.     



The season's not done yet though. I have a spot that I should be able to drive on for the next 2 to 3 weeks still.   

[mr.clean]

Drifter thank you for the photos glad to read your new toy preforms great. Beautiful scenery up your way,enjoy your fish dinner .
Steve

[masoneddie]

That was awesome Drifter! Can you drill with that extension on just the way it's pictured, or do you need to stand on a pail or something? I've never seen 4' of ice here in N.Y. where I fish. Glad to hear the auger came thru with flying colors. Best of luck for the next few weeks, and Thanks for sharing with all of us this season brother!!

[filetandrelease]

thanks drifter for sharing , very cool pics indeed

[Whopper Stopper]

As always............Exce llent post and pictures!

             WS

[Sloughsharkjigger]

Excellent post Drifter, glad to hear you made it out one more time. 2 weekends in row we had 15cm dumps down in west central AB..... sure is not spring down here! Looks like the North is winning in the weather department again.

Cheers

[Drifter_016]

That was awesome Drifter! Can you drill with that extension on just the way it's pictured, or do you need to stand on a pail or something? I've never seen 4' of ice here in N.Y. where I fish. Glad to hear the auger came thru with flying colors. Best of luck for the next few weeks, and Thanks for sharing with all of us this season brother!!

Yes, I can drill with it this way with no issues.
Don't even need to stand on one of my milk crates (don't have any buckets when I go out).
It sucks clearing the chips when you get deeper than the screw because you have to lift it up to clear them.
The thicker the ice the more times you need to lift. It's hard on the back. 

[Akhardwater]

I cann't belive you went with an 8 inch bit.  I caught a laker fri that barely fit through my hole that had froze in to about 8 inches. 

[Drifter_016]

The 8" bit was a bonus as I was after the powerhead. 
The Tanaka turns my 10 1/4" Strikemaster bit with ripper blade great!!! 

[Akhardwater]

very nice one of these days I'm going to make an auger with a 12in bit

[Water Wolf]

Nice pics Drifter_016, that's sure nice looking country up there.
Good looking lake trout, it should make a fine meal.

Neat ice auger, now that's an extension.
I though drilling through 3 feet of the ice we have here was a lot, but you got us beat.

WW

[heid_man243]

I was wondering if Tibbitt Rd would still be drive-able this weekend. I haven't talked to anyone that has been on it lately.

I'd sure like to ask where you were with that much company. 10 trucks? But I won't ask!

[Drifter_016]

It doesn't matter.
I was off the Bluefish portage trail.
It's the trailhead where the ENR usually parks their trailer in the winter.
The trail leads to a whole bunch of different lakes.
Out on the lake I was fishing the only people that came anywhere near me were the 2 DFO officers that wanted to check my license.   

[heid_man243]

That was my guess since you were parked on land and not on the ice. But the lakes looked too big in your photos to be any back in there. Although I've never actually been back in there.

I am thinking about getting up about 4am tomorrow and hitting the ice road while it's still firm. See how that plays out. Since that is in 5 1/2 hours I should probably get to sleep.