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As far as $$$$ is concerned, I don't see how that even makes sense. They could bring in a lot of winter revenue if they allowed salmon through the ice. Same as if they got rid of the trout pond restrictions and two trap lakes.I personally would love to try for samon and lakers as well as hit some native brookie ponds. I'd spend all kinds of $$$$ on food, bait, gas and lodging. At a time of year when the vacation economy is not producing much.When I do my saltwater trips to RI, I go after tourist season is done and businesses are struggling. I typically make at least one long weekend and spend plenty $$$$.Those restrictions are what discourage me. I would still release most of my salmon and brook trout. I'd just want to use my five traps, hit some trout ponds and maybe have the option to at least snap a quick pic of a decent salmon. Having said that, NH obviously just feels trout and salmon are too vulnerable to ice fishing. I actually agree with that and support their effort to manage their fishery wisely. They pass up the chance for more money to protect the stocks. Not alot of state put fish before revenue.
Most of ME and all of NH & VT have the same Landlocked Atlantic salmon. In fact, a lot of those salmon were derived from Sebago Lake salmon genetics. ME still has a few sea run Atlantic salmon also. Re: spawning season, less than 2% of NH's salmon are spawned naturally.The rest are all stocked.
White perch ..or Crappie..through the ice. Which tastes better ?
Yup!Especially when you can get into some slabs like these! Yum. (From last weekend)
I've only come to the salmon trolling game recently besides the few times my father took me back in the day. I just use lead core (no down riggers) and I troll from my tritoon boat. I see people doing the same with kayaks on up to the commercial guys and all their equipment. ANYONE can go out there and troll with a boat and a license. That said, the statement of it being "rich man's game" is baloney! I have done pretty well after a very generous, long time salmon fisherman invited me aboard his boat a few years back to show me some tips...he even handed me some of his flies at the end of our outing. That's what the sport is about. My wife and I have decided to start looking for a better "fishing" boat that gives some protection from the elements VS the open pontoon boat but my point is that anyone can get out there and have fun, There have been times when my wife and I have been hooked up in the middle of the guide boats and had our limits by 8am and the guys in the guide boats would be hollering congrats to us after watching us being successful. Again, sportsmanship rules the day.
Yep, I’ve done it myself in a leaky, 14 ft POS John boat and a 5 horse.
I don't like the "rich man's game" theory either. You can use what you have or are willing to spend on the sport. It's all relative! At ice out, you can catch salmon from shore or even bridge fish, if that's your thing. Consider bass fishing? You can catch bass with one rod from a dock or spend tens of thousands of dollars on just the go fast boat. To each their own. Personally, I've never been jealous of anyone that had more than myself. And, there's a lot of those out there! If I wanted something, I'd work hard to get it. If I knew it was beyond my means, I put it out of my mind, DONE! To put the subject in an IS perspective, all you "need" to go ice fishing is your grandfather's or yard sale spud, an ice scoop and a jig stick! How many of us on here, strike out with just those? Mow, both lead core and riggers are good tools to have in the arsenal. I've seen plenty of days when they fished about equal. Have also seen days when one definitely out fished the other. I've been out the day after one of those days, and had it reverse!I have a good friend who trolled for decades like it was his job! He was an excellent troller and kept meticulous records of each outing. Besides fishing with him often (in several states) I was privy to his "annual reports/logs". Ultimately, the riggers out fished the cores. There are other ways to get depths from line, like dipsies, trip Z's, jet & slide divers and dive bombs etc.. It's all about what fits your program and suits your fancy.
Great post CD! We do have a new “weapon” to try out this coming season...the guy that manufactures the SKIJIGGER is back in business and we bought one before Christmas. Looking forward to see how it works for us...he is also selling streamer flies as well. I guess his father was a local legend in that area. If you are a salmon fisherman you probably know who I’m talking about but if not, PM me and I’ll give you his information.
Well said CD... It's all about effort, just like the money thing, it's all about effort...
I've chased a few salmon. I know exactly who you're talking about (Paul). That ski jigger will definitely help your core fishing. I've fished with a few different friends that use and swear by them. I never owned any, cuz I was usually pulling 2 or 3 cores on each side with Otter boards. His streamers are very well tied and effective. Note: Don't over look single flies tied by others. They work well all season. Not just when the YOY are prevalent.