IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
New Hampshire => Ice Fishing New Hampshire => Topic started by: JIGGIN- on Jan 16, 2023, 07:18 PM
-
1/16/23
Finally was able to get onto the ice! Fished off of Cummings beach ~ 4" of snow ice max, not consistant. Cold and windy, didn't lose any ice today. Easily cut holes with a chisel, no auger required.
Scoob joined me and reminded me what they look like (lakers), he caught the first laker and then lost a second at the hole.
I was able to yank one up after he left, made a mess of my line between the angry laker flopping around on my line and the wind, wasn't able to get down fast enough before the other 2 left. No camera, just used the Lowrance. Kept weight down and only brought out what I needed to fish ie: chisel, skimmer, lowrance, jig stick and cut bait.
Fished till 1:30pm, felt good to be back on the lake. Time to get the bob house ready.
-
Good to see you posting here again, always enjoy reading your adventures.. I hate wind, I can deal with cold, rain or snow but wind. Make me go! I can see the Franken tangle bye a wind driven angry laker,thanks for posting.
-
Sweet!
-
That's a start. Congrats 👏
-
So there’s hope for newfy yet!
-
Have a wonderful season Jiggin! Take care and stay safe
-
Sounds like a great day thanks for sharing! Hoping for some cold weather for my trip to winni next month!
-
Great to see you posting again!
-
Great to see you posting again!
X2
-
J, Always good to be back on the ice !
-
Well done Jiggin sounds like a good day
-
Sounds like a good day
-
Nice job getting on the ice at Newfound, catching some fish, + not getting wet!
The wind was blowing hard N all weekend at the small ponds I was fishing....I bet the wind on Newfound felt fierce! ;D
-
I got out on the Hebron end on Saturday and Sunday. Those were two of the coldest/windiest days I've had in a very long time out there. Luckily I had my portable so I could hide and warm up. I couldn't get to my favorite laker spots, but had some hot action jigging and marked a ton of fish both days. On Saturday I caught a nice pickerel and five perch. Then Sunday caught at least a dozen perch. Got to see a bald eagle fly over a few times too which never gets old. The perch were on the small side, but fish are fish.
-
Thanks everyone for your comments! Appreciate them and the warm welcome back. :)
1.17.23
Today was warm so didn't make any ice today. The ice looked soft of top, not good.
I didn't bother to go out and check ice conditions however I did manage to load up the bob house and bring it up to the lake today. We (me) are way late in this process this season.
Dropped it off next to Cummings beach (on a private beach), jacked up and ready to be pushed out onto the lake once we get enough ice.
Thanks Dragon for stopping by and helping me out. Even though you say you didn't do anything, at the very least it was nice to catch up and chat.
No pics, sad actually seeing a bobhouse sitting on a beach waiting for ice.....this late in the season.
Come on Jack Frost!!!! YOU GOT THIS!
-
1.20.23
Fished Cummings beach today. Snowed, got around 8", no wind and 32F. Very pretty day.
Lost ice from the last time I was out. Around 3" of ice now. Very easy chiseling. As soon as you cut a hole, it got slushy. Hoping the wetness will freeze in a day or so, then we'll have more ice to fish on. Only brought out what I needed to fish with. Chisel, jig stick and fish finder.
Tippin yanked one up today ~ 20" laker. His 1st for the season. I lost one twice (I was on the phone with Newfound Lake Life, local newspaper). Ended up throwing the phone on the ice then telling them I'll call them back later but by then lakers were gone.
Left the lake around 3:30 pm.
Back at it in the morning.
Pic Tippin took.
Gotta figure out how to post phone videos without going through YouTube. (Newbie.....)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CZ3Kz70B/Capt-Morgan-Pose.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZ3Kz70B)
-
Lol, Jiggin…if you’re a “newbie” at posting vids…the rest of us are still in diapers! 🤣 good to see you back on here with the Newfound Chronicles!
-
Gotta figure out how to post phone videos without going through YouTube. (Newbie.....)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CZ3Kz70B/Capt-Morgan-Pose.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZ3Kz70B)
You can use streamable.com for something quick.
-
Giving streamable.com a try....Thank you TheCrittaC. Hopefully works.
Had to go to the my sucker box to get more bait.
https://streamable.com/bc35b7
-
Trying another from my phone using streamable. Video from today.
Ice is thin https://streamable.com/4nhk4z
-
Cool video’s, and good tip Critta
-
Nice videos. I don't know how long they keep videos up for, but I don't think it's forever. The site is nice for uploading something quick that you want to share.
-
Trying another from my phone using streamable. Video from today.
Ice is thin https://streamable.com/4nhk4z
That's a sad one... fishing in the slush looking at the shack on shore. Hoping you get it out where it belongs soon.
-
Windy and cold. Got 2 tipups out, sitting in the bobhouse.
Looks like they keep pic, videos for one day.
https://streamable.com/eb9j6e
-
Conditions when I left Newfound today at Noon.
https://streamable.com/pc9zwp
-
Kept myself entertained while watching my tipups today.
Tried to stay off the ice as much as possible only going out to clean the snow and slush outta my holes from time to time.
https://streamable.com/8t5khk
-
James Franco is hilarious in that movie
-
Late to the party - but welcome back Jiggin... like others said great to see you back!
Glad to see the lake starting to set - better late than never...
Look forward to future articles in the Chronical, way to get on the fish already.
Dennis
-
Welcome back Jiggin!!
-
1.22.23
Cold with a slight breeze today. Flew the drone around Mayhew Island to get a read on ice conditions prior to the snow storm.
Wasn't good......
At around 17 seconds you can see the bald eagle from a distance.
I did manage to dub one on the tipup today.
-
Reel running but when I went to set the hook, I yanked it out of its mouth. Wouldn't come back......I dubbed it.
https://streamable.com/ylmemt
-
What a dub! ;D
-
What a dub! ;D
Yep, I'm a dub that dubbed it, what a dubbah! :'( Lol.
Next time.......
-
Yep, I'm a dub that dubbed it, what a dubbah! :'( Lol.
Next time.......
Coulda been the 12 poundah Jiggin! 🤣
-
Coulda been the 12 poundah Jiggin! 🤣
Oh I know!....if you knew what I was using for bait, you'd feel my disappointment. Lol.....Next time.
-
Oh I know!....if you knew what I was using for bait, you'd feel my disappointment. Lol.....Next time.
👍👍👍
-
Yep, I'm a dub that dubbed it, what a dubbah! :'( Lol.
Next time.......
Thank you for the use of "dubbah"! A coworker gave me hell for saying it a few months ago. I sent him a picture to confirm it's a word! Sorry for the swing and a miss on the fish!
-
Thank you for the use of "dubbah"! A coworker gave me hell for saying it a few months ago. I sent him a picture to confirm it's a word! Sorry for the swing and a miss on the fish!
Oh it’s alive and strong on all my jobsites “ Dubbah Dink” is a favorite
-
1.25.23 (Weds)
Cleaned the snow off my bob house roof to get ready for the next storm. Deep snow off Cummings beach, tried to flatten it down with the argo to make it easier to walk down. Parking lot was plowed out but not both entrance / exits.
Checked the ice while I was out, still only 3" of somewhat ok ice with snow ice on top. As soon as you cut a hole, it floods and becomes a slushy mess. Easy chiseling though.
-
Took a little ride past Newfound this afternoon…looks pretty dismal! Jiggin’s shack sitting there looking very lonely…😟
-
1.27.23
Nice day to fish outside, so we did. Capt'n Black joined me today.
Marked a few lakers but nothing to hook up with. Did have some really good conversations and laughs on a nice day, Thanks man.
Ice condition: about 3" of ok ice with ~4" of frozen slush ice on top which melted as the day went on, getting soft. Still easy chiseling a hole.
-
Jiggin, thanks for sharing some laughs and “boiled” lasagna. It was a fun two days too bad the fish didn’t cooperate. Always fun with you and Tippin. Nice to meet Chuck. Always good to see NHTF. Hope to be back out Thursday.
-
Jiggin, thanks for sharing some laughs and “boiled” lasagna. It was a fun two days too bad the fish didn’t cooperate. Always fun with you and Tippin. Nice to meet Chuck. Always good to see NHTF. Hope to be back out Thursday.
Trout Freak or a trout fisherman?
-
Trout Freak or a trout fisherman?
Trout Fisherman
-
Trout Fisherman
Nice!
-
Nice!
He was driving around checking ice. He had his son, Anthony, with him. Sounds like he’s been pretty busy with work.
-
He was driving around checking ice. He had his son, Anthony, with him. Sounds like he’s been pretty busy with work.
Yeup. Sounds about right. I keep in touch
-
Missing the circus crew big time! Fished home waters today with the lady, got some Lakers, but she hasn't hooked up with her own yet. We were on 8-10" of mixed ice, some slop. Lakerz have been acting funny this year, not in typical spots...
-
Missing the circus crew big time! Fished home waters today with the lady, got some Lakers, but she hasn't hooked up with her own yet. We were on 8-10" of mixed ice, some slop. Lakerz have been acting funny this year, not in typical spots...
We're leaving a light on for you.
-
Had a great day on Newfound on Saturday. Caught over 20 yellow perch and one laker that checked in at 1.69 pounds. Nearly all of the fish were caught jigging with a few perch on a jaw jacker. Got out for a little bit on Sunday and iced a for more yellows before we packed up and headed home. I hope this cold snap coming up helps lock up some other sections of the lake.
-
Sunday looked promising....I flew the drone to check out ice conditions and it had a skim coat from the north end of Mayhew Island to the boat launch. Paper thin skim coat but any wind would destroy it.
Only "fishable ice" was from Mayhew Island south. Hoping this cold weather allows me to bump my bob house onto the lake finally!!!!
-
Had a great day on Newfound on Saturday. Caught over 20 yellow perch and one laker that checked in at 1.69 pounds. Nearly all of the fish were caught jigging with a few perch on a jaw jacker. Got out for a little bit on Sunday and iced a for more yellows before we packed up and headed home. I hope this cold snap coming up helps lock up some other sections of the lake.
Nice!! Glad you had some action. I always thought the next State Record Yellow Perch would come outta Newfound. We have some bigs ones in the lake.
Agree'd! Bring on the cold snap, time to branch out.
-
Unless my eyes deceive me I seen 15 below for the overnight temps Friday in the forecast... It's a start
-
Unless my eyes deceive me I seen 15 below for the overnight temps Friday in the forecast... It's a start
We'll take it!!! Hopefully no wind.
I'll try to post up the drone footage of the lake as of Sunday when I get a chance.
-
We'll take it!!! Hopefully no wind.
I'll try to post up the drone footage of the lake as of Sunday when I get a chance.
Unfortatly, the two seem to go hand in hand, Friday, looks brutal.
I almost made it to Newfound Saturday, it was my 5th option,
-
Nice!! Glad you had some action. I always thought the next State Record Yellow Perch would come outta Newfound. We have some bigs ones in the lake.
Agree'd! Bring on the cold snap, time to branch out.
Definitely seen some big ones come out of there, that's for sure. I thought I had some fatter ones on Saturday when I saw how big their heads were when they come up through the hole. They had the length, but were pretty skinny. Biggest one was 0.63 pounds.
-
2.2.23
Finally got the house out.
(https://i.postimg.cc/D8Gr19SM/IMG-7498.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8Gr19SM)
-
Nice. Hopefully she's tied down good. Winds all ready cranking up!!
-
Good news Jiggin, it looks lonely out there though. Good luck, stay warm!
-
Yesterday.
Windy and cold.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5YPVNWvx/5219-E621-0-FA1-404-C-BB00-AA73-D4-EB6-DA3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YPVNWvx)
(https://i.postimg.cc/R6pkxQ5h/98-FA0729-CBB6-4-EA5-9-F24-F164719-A068-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R6pkxQ5h)
-
2.2.23
Finally got the house out.
(https://i.postimg.cc/D8Gr19SM/IMG-7498.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8Gr19SM)
:clap: :clap:
-
Windy and cold again but warming up!
Wind 23mph, Wind Chill Temp -40F
Outside Temp: -13F
(https://i.postimg.cc/VrtYVkLH/133-DE936-E7-C3-4-F6-C-BEFC-EA6-C374-DD775.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VrtYVkLH)
Warming up to Wind 12mph, Wind Chill Temp -26F. Outside Temp -6 since the sun is up.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WqP2Lcdp/70-F2-AAA3-CEC0-4-B8-D-9-DD6-22-B8-C77-A9-BF9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqP2Lcdp)
-
That is dang cold! Good luck.
-
I'm coming up soon and staying at a house on webster. Was planning on driving over to winnisquam to try for Lakers and cusk but it sounds like there's not much ice there. Looking into trying out newfound for the first time. Not looking for any size but would be nice to get into a few, especially cusk. Would wellington Beach or Cummings Beach be a better access?
-
I'm coming up soon and staying at a house on webster. Was planning on driving over to winnisquam to try for Lakers and cusk but it sounds like there's not much ice there. Looking into trying out newfound for the first time. Not looking for any size but would be nice to get into a few, especially cusk. Would wellington Beach or Cummings Beach be a better access?
Right now, I believe Cummings is the only choice. The original poster of this thread is Jiggin and Newfound is his go-to lake for ice fishing. He should update when Wellington might be available for getting on the ice…then again, maybe he won’t 🤣
-
I'm coming up soon and staying at a house on webster. Was planning on driving over to winnisquam to try for Lakers and cusk but it sounds like there's not much ice there. Looking into trying out newfound for the first time. Not looking for any size but would be nice to get into a few, especially cusk. Would wellington Beach or Cummings Beach be a better access?
The best place to launch a wheeler or sled or bob house is at the foot of the lake. Right after the chapel, coming down the hill towards the lake, take a right. There is a shoveled out spot for access to the lake. Park along the side of the road, it may be marked with resident only but that's not the case in the winter time. From there you can travel north to Cummings beach or Gramps cove etc etc...
When they redid Cummings beach, they mucked up the access very badly for us ice fishermen.
DO NOT travel between Mayhew Island and the main shore (Pike's point). It's always thin ice between the two.
Wellington boat launch had open water yesterday. You can get out a little ways but only in maybe 4 feet of water (good for rainbows) but any further out is open water.
I did fly my drone to check out ice conditions. It looked like most of the lake was caught on Sunday but there were a few massive open water holes here and there. I dont believe you'd be able to get to the north end of Mayhew or further.....it didnt look thick enough. I lost the video footage i hit a tree, (not paying attention) and ended up wiping out the footage by mistake.
Cusk in Newfound are typically small but that's not to say there aren't any big ones in there.
Good luck!
-
Thanks Jiggin....
Hopefully the drone didn't suffer too much damage due to the tree jumping in front of it.
-
Thanks Jiggin....
Hopefully the drone didn't suffer too much damage due to the tree jumping in front of it.
Lol....no, it was all me simply not paying attention and watching what i was filming. I have to send it in for repairs so it'll be gone for a while. I still have 2 more to use (older models) that I dont mind destroying if that happens again.
-
Me and some buddies have a house rented north of pikes that we booked months ago. Paid for it well in advance, so I'm gonna go and not enjoy seeing the sun rise over the water.
-
Appreciate the advice. Like i said size isn't much concern. Just want to check those off the list and keep a few for chowder if possible.
-
2.9.23
Just in, The AVFD Derby ie: The Newfound Derby is CANCELLED for 2023 due to ice conditions etc....
I gotta go cry now......
-
2.9.23
Just in, The AVFD Derby ie: The Newfound Derby is CANCELLED for 2023 due to ice conditions etc....
I gotta go cry now......
Ooooooof, that's devastating news.
-
So sorry to hear this b
-
That is too bad, I know it was a bid deal for the Department and the Circus folk...
Are they doing a raffle or anything to make up for the loss of funds?
-
That is too bad, I know it was a bid deal for the Department and the Circus folk...
Are they doing a raffle or anything to make up for the loss of funds?
Yep, this is a big deal for us. It's our yearly "Superbowl".
Thanks for asking about the raffle....I forgot to post, still drying my eyes out.
"The AVFD. Has canceled the fishing derby, they are going to do a raffle for $ 1000.00 there is only 250 Tickets for this drawing on March 11th . The tickets are $ 20.00 each. We (Newfound Trading Post) will have the tickets as soon as they get them printed"
-
Jiggin is the best
-
2.10.23
Heads up. There is an ice rescue taking place on Newfound. No other info at this time.
-
2.10.23
Heads up. There is an ice rescue taking place on Newfound. No other info at this time.
Oh man. ARGO assisted?
-
2.10.23
Heads up. There is an ice rescue taking place on Newfound. No other info at this time.
BRISTOL NH - NEWFOUND LAKE - ICE RESCUE - MULTIPLE PERSONS TRAPPED ON ICE - NH55
Guessing a large sheet of ice broke off in the wind...
-
Is that happening now?
-
Is that happening now?
Original alert was from 11:30 AM...so hopefully everyone is on dry land by now...but I really have no idea.
-
Sure hope everyone gets out of it ok
-
Hey guys, couple friends and I have a house rented right in Hebron on newfound near grey rocks for March 3-6. Is there any chance we’ll be able to get out on the ice you think?
-
Hey guys, couple friends and I have a house rented right in Hebron on newfound near grey rocks for March 3-6. Is there any chance we’ll be able to get out on the ice you think?
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBsVh2HJ/42-A4737-F-DA21-42-A0-933-E-FFC90367016-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBsVh2HJ)
This was off Indian Point Rd yesterday! Looking north.
-
i have a couple kayaks you can use on indian point is it still ice fishing if you paddle on on top a chunk of ice ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/BPvSxysc/DD0-D6-B7-E-1707-49-D1-B30-E-A5856-CF3625-A.png) (https://postimg.cc/BPvSxysc)
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBsVh2HJ/42-A4737-F-DA21-42-A0-933-E-FFC90367016-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBsVh2HJ)
This was off Indian Point Rd yesterday! Looking north.
Ouch! That pic looks like it might be April!
-
Doesn’t look like we will be waiting for ice out come April 1st this season unless something changes drastically.
-
2.17.23
Warm and rained today causing pools of water on the surface of the ice. Had to keep gathering whatever I could scrape up for slush to fill around the buckets to keep water from running into my holes preventing swirlies. (opening up my holes = bad).
As the wind picked up, it dropped the temps and all the water on the surface harden up pretty quickly. 35mph winds dropped temps to 9F (wind chill).
Should be solid in the morning until it warms up again.
Not done just yet......but what a crapty season.
-
2.16.23 Yesterday. Decided to move my house due to having a crack underneath that had opened up slightly. With the rain coming, it would have opened up a lot. Conditions were good so took advantage of that.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JG82BK8c/IMG-7591.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JG82BK8c)
2.17.23 Today, Warm and Rain. Then the winds picked up and made the surface water solid. :thumbsup:
(https://i.postimg.cc/8sMY592z/IMG-7599.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8sMY592z)
-
2.17 - 2.20.23
Good weekend. Maintained ice conditions and maybe make some (not much), holes froze over each night.
Fishing in 55 FOW and had constant fish under the house all weekend. Saw lakers, smelt, perch and fish I could not identify.
Interested in thoughts as to what these fish are on bottom. They don't swim like smelt and very small to be lakers. You can see them shinning while eating chum. Forked tail as far as I could tell. There were several on bottom and stayed all day / all weekend but unfortunately the visibility on camera was horrible.
Scoob fished with me on Sunday and thought he had a few hits but said they were small biters. White fish perhaps??
Had a few visitors come out and great conversations. A couple from Ukraine from Goffstown, DConICE, Bill and a couple of others that I didn't know but were interested in ice fishing / bobhouse / argo, the experience. Thanks for visiting! Plenty of people ice skating, some places where they shouldn't have.
-
Hmmm…almost look “smelty” and definitely something a laker would be going after?
Shiny and thin…
-
Glad I got the chance to visit... nice to see the shack in person after watching the build process years ago and seeing it in all the videos.
Good to see you again Jiggin... maybe next season I'll get a chance to come up and fish.
Good luck figuring out what the elusive small prey are...
-
Maybe white perch, JIGGIN. Is that newfound report ? If so, must be down south? At least we’ll have somewhere to fish. What about Sanborn Bay, is that locked up? Seems protected. Looks like some sustained cold coming up here, maybe we’ll get lucky
-
Nice vid Jiggin, glad to hear your ice held through the weekend.
-
2.17 - 2.20.23
Interested in thoughts as to what these fish are on bottom. They don't swim like smelt and very small to be lakers. You can see them shining while eating chum. Forked tail as far as I could tell. There were several on bottom and stayed all day / all weekend but unfortunately the visibility on camera was horrible.
Scoob fished with me on Sunday and thought he had a few hits but said they were small biters. White fish perhaps??
It's tough to say b/c of visibility, but I think you're right....Lake Whitefish. You should catch 1 to confirm. Maybe try a small swedish pimple or something like that?
-
Maybe white perch, JIGGIN. Is that newfound report ? If so, must be down south? At least we’ll have somewhere to fish. What about Sanborn Bay, is that locked up? Seems protected. Looks like some sustained cold coming up here, maybe we’ll get lucky
Thanks for the reply, Unfortunately we don't have white perch in Newfound.
Yes a Newfound report and yes, south end of the lake.
My guess is Sanborn Bay is frozen but I'm not certain. Parking might be a problem there.
Let's hope for a cold snap....although we are getting a ton on snow today and throughout the weekend / next week it seems. That'll prevent making ice.
-
It's tough to say b/c of visibility, but I think you're right....Lake Whitefish. You should catch 1 to confirm. Maybe try a small swedish pimple or something like that?
Hoping they were white fish....heard they are making a come back. Tried to catch them but my jigs are too big. This weekend I'm scaling down. Thanks for the reply!
-
Hoping they were white fish....heard they are making a come back. Tried to catch them but my jigs are too big.
This one took a 4" :o
https://nwsportsmanmag.com/zag-lands-new-wa-record-lake-whitefish-at-roosevelt/
-
Hoping they were white fish....heard they are making a come back. Tried to catch them but my jigs are too big. This weekend I'm scaling down. Thanks for the reply!
Never thought of it until now but I should have gone back to my truck and grabbed some small jigs for you, though if I had you would have probably stayed all night trying to get one to bite
-
Whitefish would be my guess, but like you mentioned it’s hard to tell. Does newfound have lake whitefish and round whitefish? It would be cool if either were making a comeback
-
Never thought of it until now but I should have gone back to my truck and grabbed some small jigs for you, though if I had * you* would have probably stayed all night trying to get one to bite
*We would have probably stayed all night trying to get one to bite...... ;D
Couldn't use your lure without you. @)
-
2.22.23
Pyscho and I went out to check the ice further up the lake after work.....not good. Had to cross a pressure ridge but the ice wasn't adequate enough to move the houses. This snow isn't gonna help.
Bumped the house from 55fow to 35fow with plans to bring the grandson out today (snow day!). Will be his first time getting out onto the ice this season. Hoping to get good underwater camera visibility, will be tough with the snow cover.
Gotta get the drive way plowed / cleaned up first and then probably stay out till Sunday.
This weekend would normally be the AVFD Ice Fishing Derby but it was cancelled due to poor ice conditions. Tough decision but the right one I think.
-
Whitefish would be my guess, but like you mentioned it’s hard to tell. Does newfound have lake whitefish and round whitefish? It would be cool if either were making a comeback
Yes supposably we do, both I believe. I've never caught one nor seen one however I know of some folks who have caught them, like NHTF.
The more I look at the videos (I have several but the video quality is about the same), they look like round white fish. I'm surprised how many there were if that's what they were. Pretty cool just the same.
-
Jiggin, what’s your laker total for the season up to? I’m sure not as many as years past but you must have a tally?
-
Good luck riding it out through the weekend Jiggin... Sorry to hear your derby got cancelled, guess you'll just have to win it twice next year!
-
2.23 - 2.26.23
Spent last Thursday to Sunday on the lake like we do every year in celebration of the AVFD Ice Fishing Derby, which was cancelled. I hated the decision but know it was the right decision to cancel due to ice conditions / safety.
Psycho, ButterFly, Scruffy and Tippin joined in (Psycho and Butterfly spent Friday to Sunday on the ice).
Weather conditions ranged from wicked windy, very cold, calm nights, really nice day, and snowed. Seemed like all spectrums of weather excluding rain (thank goodness!!)
I managed to get 3 lakers, lost a few and saw a bunch on camera although the visibility on the camera was not all that great. The fish finder was very busy. I could not get them to bite after early morning, usually when I was busy doing "something" they'd hit my jig.
Had some funny conversations on the radio and met a few new people. Missed seeing and hearing everyone who would normally attend the derby but overall it was still a great time. It was so good to be out there without having to leave the ice at the end of the day and being part of the quiet night fishing for cusk.
Now the "derby" results among us:
Winner is......Butterfly! with a 23" laker!!!
Congratulations to Butterfly and awesome job!!! A beauty of a lake trout and was released to be caught again.
-
2.23 - 2.26.23
Spent last Thursday to Sunday on the lake like we do every year in celebration of the AVFD Ice Fishing Derby, which was cancelled. I hated the decision but know it was the right decision to cancel due to ice conditions / safety.
Psycho, ButterFly, Scruffy and Tippin joined in (Psycho and Butterfly spent Friday to Sunday on the ice).
Weather conditions ranged from wicked windy, very cold, calm nights, really nice day, and snowed. Seemed like all spectrums of weather excluding rain (thank goodness!!)
I managed to get 3 lakers, lost a few and saw a bunch on camera although the visibility on the camera was not all that great. The fish finder was very busy. I could not get them to bite after early morning, usually when I was busy doing "something" they'd hit my jig.
Had some funny conversations on the radio and met a few new people. Missed seeing and hearing everyone who would normally attend the derby but overall it was still a great time. It was so good to be out there without having to leave the ice at the end of the day and being part of the quiet night fishing for cusk.
Now the "derby" results among us:
Winner is......Butterfly! with a 23" laker!!!
Congratulations to Butterfly and awesome job!!! A beauty of a lake trout and was released to be caught again.
Nice report, kudos for honoring a tradtion and congrats to Butterfly!
-
Glad to hear you were at least able to hold your own mini derby and staying out for the weekend tops it off. Good stuff Jiggin!
-
Glad to hear you were at least able to hold your own mini derby and staying out for the weekend tops it off. Good stuff Jiggin!
Agree. Sounds like it was a great time!
-
Well done... nice to see all the handles back on the shanty... great group of people you have there on Newfound.
-
3.3 & 3.5.23
Friday night bumped the bobhouse off the exiting spot to get it off the sag on the ice. With the expected snow coming, it was best to get it off that spot as it would of flooded very badly once I drilled holes underneath the next day to fish.
Getting out early was difficult on Saturday morning due to the heavy snow fall. We got around 14" at the house. Once the wife and I got it cleaned up (for the most part) we headed to the lake. We were able to make it out around noon time.
Kept it simple, only 2 holes under the house, no underwater camera (didn't want to make an additional hole...3rd hole), and ran tip ups far away from the house as well.
With the heavy snow fall, when I drilled the holes, made sure to make a big cone around the hole with the slush hoping it would freeze up at some point and stop the water from flooding the ice. Stuffed our buckets down to the ice and was able to seal the water.
Fished both Saturday and Sunday marking fish on the fish finder but didn't have any luck. We've been stuck at Cummings beach this season and the lakers are on to us. Missed a couple on cut bait laying on bottom....chum. Would not touch a jig.
At the end of the day on Sunday, jacked up the house an additional block, stuff snow into our holes so the wind wouldn't keep them open preventing the swirls. Threw some snow where ever it was deeper slush / water knowing high winds were coming.
During the day, temps only got up to 33F with the wind chill and the snow cones under the house did stiffen up enough to help create a dam preventing flooding when I removed the buckets.
Used the Argo to flattened the snow / slush around the house so the cold air could have a chance to freeze up the slush, then made a "runway" for our escape if needed for the house. With cold temps at night, it should stiffen up enough to walk on is the hopes or at least start freezing up any slush / water.
As most know, the snow insulates the ice so not too worried about the ice melting during the day, just gonna get wet when the snow melts. The water will eventually either pop the shore line or work its way through the ice, creating that "March" ice conditions. Even though the outside temps are in the 40's during the day, the temps on the ice aren't the same (with the wind). Good news is, nights are still in the 20's. We have a few weeks left....trying to hang in there safely, Not done yet.
-
Way to hang in there Jiggin! I wouldn’t expect anything less!😊
-
3.7.23
So my work paid off. I was able to get out today to check the house. Where ever I packed the snow down, it was frozen. Once you step off the beaten path, up to almost my knees in snow and slush.
Wind was raging and kept the wind chill below freezing.
-
Jiggin, Seems like we had our March temps in Febuary and we are getting some Feb temps now. ice is holding it's own for now !
-
3.11 - 3.12.23
Was only able to put in 2 days this week on the ice. House was fine from the work i did last week.
Still at Cummings beach and saw lakers under the house all weekend however they are on to me, got some great footage on video with having 4 - 5 lakers buzzing around at a time.
They would only take chum and seem to know the difference between mine with a hook in it and the ones without. They would not take anything that was in the hole i created from pounding a jig on bottom so i had to keep moving my piece of chum to the outside of my hole. I missed 3 lakers (tried setting the hook like it was a jig stick and had to go back to fishing like I was fishing for browns, rainbows and brooks, took me 3 tries before i settled down and was able to pull one up). Kept reaching for my jig stick while fishing with a spring line. Boring way to fish for me.
Weather was fantastic, warm, sunny and low winds. Perfect weather for sleeping out on the ice. The ice is still holding but getting soft. By Sunday some wetness around my door. Around the rest of the house was fine so decided to jack up the house another block and leave it there for the up coming snow storm.
Filled my fishing holes with snow and packed it in. Also filled around my door with snow to hopefully get it to freeze up some.
See what happens with the snow storm but as a side note, it will help protect the ice from melting but will create a slushfest next weekend.
-
Every weekend from here on in is a bonus!
-
Jiggin you sure put in a ton of work to keep things safe and fishable, I commend you for that and am glad it worked out for you.
Hope the season finishes strong for you...
-
3.19.23
Based on weather, Sunday was predicted to be the coldest morning so we all agree'd to yank the bob house's off the lake. Mine went easy peasy.
Video soon.....
Still not done yet.
Jiggin
-
I pulled mine to the boat launch yesterday, not on Newfound! A sad but safe day! Its mostly degrading surface conditions that chase us off... If it firms up we may drag it back out for the day... there is 16 inches of ice... 2 layers with 8 inches of water... pain in the neck! Its aluminum on skis! Light as a feather. Had a banner bass day. 7 all over 2lbs... morning only! Will get out one or two more times...
-
3.22.23
Was able to get out in the afternoon yesterday with the wife. Went off of Wellington Beach (not the boat launch).
There was about 5-6" of ok honeycomb ice with 4" of crap on top with a 2" gap between. Unfortunately when we got out, the top layer was already getting soft and we were starting to collapse the top 2" of crap ice by the time we were ready to leave.
Shore line is good as of yesterday, not sure about after this rain though.
Still hoping to be not done yet......
-
3.22.23
Was able to get out in the afternoon yesterday with the wife. Went off of Wellington Beach (not the boat launch).
There was about 5-6" of ok honeycomb ice with 4" of crap on top with a 2" gap between. Unfortunately when we got out, the top layer was already getting soft and we were starting to collapse the top 2" of crap ice by the time we were ready to leave.
Shore line is good as of yesterday, not sure about after this rain though.
Still hoping to be not done yet......
I've had enough "misadventures" on late season ice over the years, I think stay off the ice until next season. :(
-
Taking the house off the lake, bringing it home sweet home.
Special thanks to the Newfound Circus crew working together as we always do. We got everyone off the lake, loaded onto trailers and all home safe and sound.
-
Given the way the weather seemed this year, getting the house off dry with just a week to go in the season seems like a win...
Nice to see the Circus crew still pulling together...
Thanks for the Newfound Chronicles thread and all the videos... will be looking forward to some early ice vids next season.
-
I have to agree... As weird as the season started, the second half of the season was better fishing and the ice is going the distance! All good and I too really enjoy the videos... pert near professional :o) in my estimate!
(https://i.postimg.cc/jC5vWcG3/Get-Attachment-Thumbnail-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jC5vWcG3)
-
3.25.23 Saturday
Fished Cummings beach probably for the last time through the ice not because a lack of ice.
Temps remained below freezing with the wind chill so no ice lost.
Out on the lake, the snow melted then froze during the week making 11 - 12" of ice. Drove the argo out and set up a portable for the first time this season, fished with the wife.
Had a plane circle us a few times as well as an eagle eye balling our sucker carcass. Good entertainment giving us a show. Tippin yanked up a laker and Lush's son, RippinLipps got a nice small mouth bass.
No Lakers for us but nice to spend the last day with the wife on Newfound.
Started snowing around 3 pm.
Today (Sunday) We took the day off and celebrated the season by going to Bay Haven Lobster Pound for lunch. Love that place with plenty of leftovers.
-
3.25.23 Saturday
Fished Cummings beach probably for the last time through the ice not because a lack of ice.
Temps remained below freezing with the wind chill so no ice lost.
Out on the lake, the snow melted then froze during the week making 11 - 12" of ice. Drove the argo out and set up a portable for the first time this season, fished with the wife.
Had a plane circle us a few times as well as an eagle eye balling our sucker carcass. Good entertainment giving us a show. Tippin yanked up a laker and Lush's son, RippinLipps got a nice small mouth bass.
No Lakers for us but nice to spend the last day with the wife on Newfound.
Started snowing around 3 pm.
Today (Sunday) We took the day off and celebrated the season by going to Bay Haven Lobster Pound for lunch. Love that place with plenty of leftovers.
Great report and thanks again for all the work you've done on those videos. Very cool to watch!
-
Way to make a full season out of it Jiggin - hopefully next season you'll get the Log Cabin to its usual haunts....
Videos have been great as always - and the shanty is a better site with a Newfound thread to read.
See you next season hopefully,
Dennis