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We gaffed a 42 " pike once on ice in Essex county. It was an awesome day. There are good populations in many larger bodies of water that's totally underutilized. To harvest and consume a fish is sportsmanship. To kill a fish just for the purpose of skin mounts is more self serving. If you are a c&r fisher more power but it's a game harvest sport. Bow fishing carp is gross too
With how nice replica mounts are today. A couple pictures and a measurement of girth, the taxidermists can make you a practical spitting image of that fish. A 40" northern is at least 12-15 yrs old, wouldn't feel right keeping it personally. Especially if you were to eat it, those large fish have years of toxins built up in them and the meat is much tougher imo. To each their own though, as long as you arent wasting the fish and are within your limits, i try not to complain.
Agreed... what’s also nice about replicas, is at any given day if I have a change of heart, I can get one of the 11 pike over 40” I have caught in the last 7 years.... or I could get them all, as each fish has a story in its own. I have yet to actually get a replica made of the one I really want a replica of, in fear I drop $1k on a mount and while it’s being made, I land a bigger one. Trying to get to that 25lb+ range to really seal the deal. Although my 22lb I really should get done anyways because of the story in itself with that fish, and the build/ colors. Most beautiful fish I have ever seen.I gotta be honest, it feels just as good to catch trophy’s like that, handle them for a minute, then release them and watch them swim away.
A bunch of traps out and 3 guys jigging at narrows yesterday. Not 1 flag , not 1 bite nor did I see anyone of the few others out do anything. Schroon has not treated us well this season. 2 skunks in last 2 outings. I'm basically throwing in the towel there for the season and no more 2 hr road trips for ice. Hopefully I can get on my local panfish lake today. If not, my season is over and time to move on. Yeah I know there is still plenty ice to fish in other areas but so far this season and weather has been a huge disappointment for me, someone that usually fishes 2 days a week plus, 20 weeks a season. Lake George is not on my radar right now. Good luck to all that venture out
I was there today. Big side good, small side shoreline shot. Fish didn't want to play. This season is a bust for me. Time to turn off the news and build a garden
Thanks brother but not really interested in oil cans eventhough they are fun to play with. I'll see what happens here on the perch bite this weekend then pack up my gear for another season. Lots happening in the months ahead .We have a garden to prepare, livestock coming and a tour of 5 states, 5 shows in 8 days with Lukas Nelson and promise of the real ahead before stripers
True but they are also here 15 minutes from my house without pressure. I'm pretty sure ship of fools would attest that fact.
Was out on Schroon Monday, was a real challenge with a quad. About 12" snow, with water and slush underneath. Measured 14" ice, 3" of that was white snow ice, rest was black ice, but it did drill unusually easily, so I found that weird. Didn't make it to my preferred Laker spot, so we went to a spot where I used to keep my hard shanty years ago. Always a good spot for Lakers and big jack perch. No Lakers, but we did manage a number of big, fat 14" perch. Snowmobiles are definitely the way to go right now.
Huh ? We were out Sunday at narrows with about 4" really compressed packed snow on the lake. There was frozen slush underneath. We walked all the way across and to the north . Walking was easy and an ATV would have been simple
This made it worth Monday's effort.
How is traveling on the lake with a wheeler after the cold snap last week? Looking to get my first run of the year in with my son and grandson next Saturday. I have a real hard time moving (bad hip) but my doc gave me some meds that have done wonders and I need to take advantage of it. Thanks for any updates in advance! Tight lines to all!
Sounds good! Looking forward to getting out! Should have a new hip for next year so I can hit it early and more often! I really appreciate the update! We will post photos. We catch and release to keep the population strong! Can't wait for my 5 year old grandson to hand line a laker in!
New hip is a life changer. You will be a totally new man in less than a couple of months. Don't let them tell you they won't do it. I got a second opinion in Boston and I had a new hip in short order and I'm back to living my life in almost zero pain.
Truth, I had mine done 4 weeks apart at Albany Med using the newer frontal entrance, quick recovery, I was shed hunting 2 weeks after my second hip done and this fall deer hunting these mountains I got back to places I had not been to in twenty years! Absolutely no hindrances ice fishing this winter. As for the derby, yeah I'll be out there.